Socket 754 is cheaper, but end of line. All the interesting new stuff,
including dual core processors, is happening in Socket 939. From what you're
describing, you sound like a candidate for dual core for sure, so I'd opt for
either Athlon 64x2 on Socket 939, or Socket 940 and Opteron.
Opterons are the same technology as Athlon 64, but focused more on servers
and high end workstations. You can find single and dual socket Opteron
motherboards fairly easily, and they will also support dual core processors,
giving you 2-4 effective processors.
--
Charlie.
http://www.msmvps.com/xperts64/
Torrey Lauer wrote:
> I'm looking at changing the MB and proc on an HP Pavilion that I
> have. I've been looking at AMD Athlon 64 procs, but am a little
> confused now. I'm sure the smart people on this NG will be able to
> clarify this for me.
> It appears that AMD has Athlon 64 procs in socket 939 and 754. What
> is the difference and which one is better?
>
> Also, would it be better to go with an Opteron or stick with the
> Athlon 64? I'll be using the desktop for business mostly with
> approximately eleven applications at any one time running
> simultaneously and two of them are graphics intensive. Opterons run
> all the same apps that Athlons do, right? Opterons aren't like
> Itanium procs that have be written specifically for it, does it?