Upgrade option

[RaiZen18]

Hey all

Been ages since I was here! Hope everyone is keeping well! Missed the fun I had here life just been soooo busy with a new job and stuff...

Anyway the real reason I am here is I looking for advice!
I am looking at upgrading my machine in the next few weeks. and here is what I am looking at getting:
AMD Phenom x2 555 Black edition - getting it for a good price from my boss as a second hand unit used for a month
Asus Crosshair IV Formula
Super Talent 2GB DDR3 1333 RAM

Now I know the RAM not great but I can't afford better now I thinking of upgrading it again later or something but I dnt have anymore money available now this is pushing the budget very far already.

I've got a ATI 4850 512mb Card. Not upgrading that yet.

Any tips or suggestions. I really really like this board I must add.

Thanks Guys

[Slaymate]

If the price is right the X2 555 isn't a bad cpu, but you should really start looking for a X4

[RaiZen18]

Yea I want to look at a x6 later on. But for now this will beat my 4200+ so I gonna go for this then upgrade when the cash allows me 2. Thanks slay for replying

[Chevalr1c]

Don't worry too much about the RAM, as it is DDR3 and will not get hot due to the low voltage of (usually) 1.5v. So even if it does not have fancy heat spreaders, it should be sufficient. Just don't overclock it if you think that that will help it keeping alive.
TBH though, that mobo is quite expensive while you probably want a seperate sound card, because the VIA VT2020 is very unappealing for a high-end board. Even 70-80 euro midrange boards do often have a Realtek ALC888, 889 or 890 audio chip (and I tell you those are sublime). Here are some test results for the audio of your selection: http://nl.hardware.info/productinfo/...testresultaten. As for a comparison, here is the same page for a mobo with a lower price and better audio: http://nl.hardware.info/productinfo/...testresultaten Yes, I know that other features (like overclocking stuff) may matter for you, but there are better choices in that price range you're looking in. AFAIK there are little differences between the 890FX and 890GX chipsets, so you could consider saving "some" money (a third of the price of a 890FX mobo, roughly) on a 890GX based mobo instead.

And if you can wait, see what Bulldozer will bring in 2011 (no, you cannot use the Bulldozer chips on your Crosshair IV Formula, because the next-gen AMD chips will get a new socket).

[RaiZen18]

Thanks for the info guys. I have ordered the board but have to wait 3-4 weeks for it and have already sold my machine! so no PC for a while, its a killer. >

Decide on the Crosshair mobo, and 2x2GB kit of DDR3 Kingston hyperx blu RAM.

Cant wait for everything to be here and for me to test it. I also looking at getting a ATI 6850, any comments on that card?

[Chevalr1c]

That graphics card should be freaking awesome.