754/939 or Socket A?

Gang, getting ready to build another pc for my parents and I'm wondering about the benefits of 754/939 over socket A. The last one I built was a socket A (Athlon XP 2500 Barton) and it runs pretty darn good . They're non- gamers and just want to do general stuff. Is the 64 bit socket 754/939 really faster than a socket A rig? The reason I was considering the 754 was allegedly it runs cooler and the ability to upgrade to a 64 bit OS, when and if one ever becomes ready for prime time. Also when using a single HD, is sata 150 really any better than the standard IDE drive? I want to build them a pretty current rig, but not if the gains won't be there. The rig will have a micro ATX board with one gig ram. I know many poo-poo microatx, but money is a factor and they always have an option to install an agp card later. Whatever rig I decide on, it won't be overclocked, so that's not an issue. Thanks all.
Bronson7

 

Socket 754 has been left to budget CPUs. If you want a larger variety of what you can use, use socket 939.

 

don't bother with 754 or socket a, you'll regret it in the long run.

 

I agree 1GB of ram is unnecassary for general computing.... the PC's at my school have 127MB and we use them everyday (cept they always crash.... DELL Circa 1990) 512MB is suffecient nowadays, and for the price, how can you resist! I have 1GB of ram only because i use my computer for 3D graphics, CAD designing, video rendering, and gaming... Once i get my new skt 939 rig, i will be upgrading to 2GB...

Right now im using a socket A 2800+ oc'd to 3000+..... but in the long run, it IS EXTREMELY fast.... but its not as fast as a 64 bit....

Also, just use a skt 754... I recently used one for a friends rig.. Its not half bad, its a 2800+ no OC. Its not as future compatible as a 939.... but it IS good.

Yay for clean, skinny SATA cables!

 

Unless you are building a budget machine with a Sempron, I wouldn't consider Socket 754.

Socket 939 is much better. The only problem is selecting between the different cores like San Diego, Venice and Winchester.

 

Since this computer will not be for gaming or anything like it, you could definitely go with a Socket 754 or a Socket A. Although I would go for the Socket 754 just because they will probably be about the same price. For general word processing, web surfing, email, and excel you won't notice a difference between the CPUs. Truthfully, a Socket A processor would probably be just fine. Under these conditions, I wouldn't recommend a 939 processor/motherboard simply because it isn't needed. As for upgradeability, also probably not needed... What is the computer they have right now? Probably a Pentium 2/3? By the time they need to upgrade this computer, Socket 939/754 processors probably won't exist anymore. (Ok, well, maybe not, but you get the point) Save some money and go with the Socket 754 Processor (64-bit) and 512Mb of RAM.

And, to be honest, you should probably just go with a Dell. You can't beat their prices. You could probably get a computer that will do everything your parents need for around $400. (And probably with a 17" LCD)

 

Thanks for your input Wyatt. Well, I'm going to build them a 754 rig with an Athlon chip.. My Dad likes mine, which I built with an Athlon XP 2500 Barton and like you say, it's not much more to go with a 754. Yes, they considered a commercial brand, but I talked them out of it. I absolutely hate the things plus they'll have a much better warranty if I build one. Three years parts on just about everything and free at-home labor plus it'll be free from all the trash, commercial ones are bogged down with. The 939s are just too exspensive right now. Thanks again.
Bronson7

 

Well, I was thinking about using the one gig of ram to suppliment the on-board Nvidia 6100 (128 megs, too bad the board doesn't support dual channel) The board also supports SATA II. Here's the list all. Feel free to comment some more (If enough people call me a horse, I'll look for a saddle ).

Antec case w/350 watts
BioStar G force 6100 M7
Athlon 64 2800
Kingston Value Ram (2x512)
WD HD w/ 16 megs cache Sata II (3.0 gigs)
The rest is ordinary

Bronson7

 

The only thing that I would change would be the motherboard. I'd go with a good name brand like Asus, Abit, MSI, or Gigabyte. Biostar isn't too bad, but I'd spend an extra $20 for a good quality mobo. Other than that, I'd say it looks good.

 

Ageed, Wyatt. The reason I picked it is I really think the on-board Nvidia graphics are better (Gforce 6100) and it was only one of two brands that were available. The other wasn't on your list.
Bronson7