Switching to AMD, need advice....

[NinjaWreck]

As you can see in my sig, I have two intel rigs. I've been waiting for a jump in technology to upgrade, and looks like it's pretty much in the works... Only it's AMD leading the way. So here is my situation: I am building an AMD system within the next few months to replace my lower spec P4. Here is what I had in mind:

AMD FX53
939 pin Asus or Abit board for overclocking, doesn't have to be out yet
DDR2
X800XT PCI express

My question is when will it be possible to put a system like this together, and what would everyone recommend for a mainboard? I haven't kept up with AMD technology at all until recently so excuse my ignorance.

 

[fateshammer]

In case you missed it, here's Anandtech's roundup of S939 Motherboards. All the usual suspects are grilled.

That is such a monster spec by the way, nice components.

 

[DanIdentity]

PCI Express will come to the AMD platform with NVidia's NForce 4 chipset at the end of this year.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but DDR2 isn't on the horizon for a long time though.

If you want both DDR2 and PCIe in the next few months, you'll have to go Intel.

 

[Syx]

Currently DDR2 doesn't do anything and is no step up in performance, Mainly because latencies are so god damn high(4-4-4-12).
I think ATi is only making X600's in PCI-e and probably won't make the X800's real soon, but nVidia is making 6 series for PCI-e.
Like the above, AMD doesn't have a pcie/ddr2 solution yet, Intel does but currently it's no plus. Go ahead and do it if you want the latest technology, but latest in it's earliest forms aren't always best..

 

[The Coolest]

I recommend you read the front page. Ed points out that the prices on s939 stuff is going to drop by the end of this year, and ATi is ought to bring the PCI-e X800XT to the market by then (hopefully). Also, as been said already, DDR2 is not even on the horison and AMD is in no rush to implement it. I recommend you wait till the end of the year, then most of the smoke will clear about the future of A64, S939 mobos and PCI-e graphics cards

 

[NinjaWreck]

Thanks for all the replies. I did a little reading last night to catch up on the news and read abou the DDR2 thing. I don't mind upgrading later to DDR2, but it will mean a change of motherboard also, right? Pentium just seems to be pushing their immature technology out the door, and I'm not buying it. Here are my two concerns:

1. Will AMD stick with this 939 pin for a while?
2. I don't want to upgrade my vid card for a while.

Upgrading motherboard and ram are really no big deal. I am building this machine almost strictly for gaming. I am not biased agianst either company, I want whoever is making the best product even if it costs a little more. It just seems AMD is outperforming with less effort, and is the best investment for the least amount of future upgrading. Meaning will a 64bit P4 be compatible with the current pin configuration of Intel? There are just two many unanswered questions on the Intel side.

 

[fateshammer]

Socket 939 is reportedly being slated for the long haul, along the veins of Socket A for the K7. So for those of us relying on maximizing upgradability, that's one major concern nailed down. I definitely would build my next major rig on this platform (S939). As for your graphics card, I don't see any major bump on your upgrade path considering your kick-arse specs. Man, you must have some major cash to burn.