AMD socket 939 versus socket 754

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

01/03/2006 05:34:32 PM · #1

I'm planning to build a new computer strictly to be used for photo editing and storage. I want to use a 64 bit AMD processor with either one of these motherboards:

MSI Socket 939 mobo
vs
MSI Socket 754 mobo

One of the difference between these boards is one uses a socket 754 and the other a 939. While the boards are the same price, the processor for the 939 board is considerably more expensive. I'm trying to compare costs and benefits between the two and am wondering if the performance of the better socket 939 processor is really worth the extra outlay of cash, something I really need, or if I would be just as happy with the budget conscious socket 754 board.

I don't need overclocking or blazing speeds but a big reason I chose either of these boards is to be able to run dual monitor setups, as they both have DVI and analog ports from onboard video. I realize there will be a performance hit with integrated video, but I'm willing to live with that if I can save some money until I can purchase one of the more expensive PCI-Ex16 video cards.

Your thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

bledford

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

01/03/2006 05:48:11 PM · #2

The way things are going, I would just opt for the lesser processor now and plan to upgrade the Mobo/processor later on if needed. Increasingly, the cost of upgrading is sequential to the cost of new video cards and additional RAM/hard drives--processors seem to be an incrementally less significant upgrade.

Still, I would not feel comfortable with the Mobo you chose for Socket 754, having only 2 RAM slots. I consistently upgrade my RAM and I can't see having only 2 slots.

For what it's worth, I'm plan on building a machine for similar purposes, though I'm taking a more extreme route:

1 ASUS K8N-DL Dual Socket 940 NVIDIA nForce4 Professional Extended ATX Server Motherboard - Retail
Model #: K8N-DL
$218.00 $218.00

1 eVGA 256-P2-N515-AX Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Desktop PC - Retail
Model #: 256-P2-N515-AX
$304.00 $304.00

1 Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: TPII-550
$89.99 $89.99

2 AMD Opteron 248 SledgeHammer 800MHz FSB Socket 940 Processor Model OSA248AUBOX - Retail
Model #: OSA248AUBOX
$328.00 $656.00

4 CORSAIR 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) ECC Registered System Memory Model CM72SD1024RLP-3200 - Retail
Model #: CM72SD1024RLP-3200
$119.00 $476.00

2 Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD740GD
$155.00 $310.00

Subtotal: $2,053.99

Rando D300

01/03/2006 06:06:21 PM · #3

Olyuzi
I am using an AMD 64 in 745 socket (Asus K8N) and find it to be very fast for the digital images, so I think you would be just fine if that is all you going to do with it . A firewire card reader will speed download times up as well .

I run 3 monitors works great

Message edited by author 2006-01-03 18:49:33.

bledford

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

01/03/2006 06:51:07 PM · #4

Originally posted by RANDOD300:

Sweet!

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

01/03/2006 07:00:49 PM · #5

I have recently gone through motherboard replacement when mine developed a burning smell and blank screen syndrome...

The socket 939 approach has the benefit of greater upgradeability - I bought an Asus A8N premium socket 939 m/b. The m/b will take a huge range of current processors, from the low end Athlons to fast dual core processors. This gives me the option of a big increase in speed a year or two down the line when these processors get cheaper and bargains are to be had (though I ended up being tempted by an x2 processor now - not that it really gives much performance over a single core processor with today's software). Programs like Photoshop will be among the first to benefit from these kind of processors in the near future.

Another big thing is RAM. Lots of memory is good for nice big picture files. 1 gig is fast becoming a minimum with bloatware OS software and larger picture files with lots of layers, 2 or 3 gig is better.

HD speed is also important - there are some competitors for the WD Raptor series (which are v fast, running at 10k rpm, but also small and expensive). There are several drives with 16MB cache, which run at 7.2k rpm and in reality very nearly the same speed as the raptors but offer much more storage space. I bought the 400GB Western Digital Caviar WD4000KD, which almost matches the 74GB Raptors, with 5 times the storage for a similar price. It is V fast.

On video cards, the upgrade to a modern m/b meant an upgrade to PCI express, but I am not sure that you need the most expensive cards for photo manipulation: the 3d bit is the expensive bit. I bought a 6800GT for the odd game and the option of SLI down the line, but would have got something a bit cheaper if photo editing was my only aim.

If I were looking to minimise cost over a couple of years, I would get the 939 m/b with a slower processor for now, with plenty of RAM and a cheap pci-e card. When money permits, and prices on current processors have crashed (18 months?), you can pick up a cheap 4800+ dual core athlon and slot it in with some more memory and maybe a new video card for a super performance gain.

Message edited by author 2006-01-03 19:02:19.

01/04/2006 01:30:36 AM · #6

Originally posted by bledford:

Completely agree with you about the memory, Bledford. That's one of the reasons I'm leaning towards the 939 board since it's got 4 RAM slots for up to four gigs of memory, and dual channel is supported. Do you think the dual channel makes a difference in performance?

Your planned setup machine looks terrific! But a super duper system like that is beyond my means right now and I'm not sure I would see a performance difference with the kinds of applications I run.

Thanks for responding, it's much appreciated.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/04/2006 01:33:56 AM · #7

Originally posted by RANDOD300:

Holy moly, that is awesome. Can you explain how you have set up to run three monitors? All the same video cards? Use of any integrated video?

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

01/04/2006 02:07:31 AM · #8

The 939 supports more memory, at a faster speed...

Plus future upgrades

01/04/2006 02:19:02 AM · #9

Originally posted by legalbeagle:

Legalbeagle,
Thanks for responding. You have made some good points, especially about future upgradeability with a 939 board. I will probably go that route, but not with SLI since the Long Island Power Authority already charges a lot of money for electricity...lol. And besides, the case I already own only has a power supply with 300 watts and I would think I would have to up that to at least 500 watts with an SLI system. In addition a system such as this is going to run hot hot hot and I'm looking for a very stable system. I would have to invest in multiple fans, and besides, I don't even own an air conditioner!

If I may make a recommendation for your system, I would purchase the super fast Raptor HD as your master and install your OS on that. The slightly slower but bigger HD I would slave and use that for storage of large files. I will be installing 5400 rpm HDs in my system (already purchased), but these would create massive bottlenecks in your puter.

I do however, think you are right on with your recommendation for a 939 board with lots of RAM and a cheap processor. The mobo I purchase will probably have integrated video to further reduce my costs. At this time, my funds are limited, and I would rather spend the money on photographic equipment and software.

Thanks very much.