Almost time to upgrade.

It's been a while since I got my first custom built comp (two years I'm guessing).
At any rate here's my current specs.

250 gig HDD RAID
Geforce 7800GT Vid card (I believe 256 mb)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Proc 3800+
2 gig RAM
939 Socket ASUS SLI Deluxe Mobo.
410W PSU

First off here's my first problem:
I recently bought my dual core and installed it but I completely disregard the fact I had to reinstall windows to have it recognize the second processor (This I have read at numerous sites) yet I don't want to reformat my whole HDD meaning a complete wipe of everything I have (I have DVDs but it's such a pain) Plus I would install programs drivers personal stuff and All the windows updates.

Also I already have issues such as starting up a game (anything that can test the proc) and having it reboot instantly (I have done the hotfix, regedit, new driver and
Optimizer and affinity for certain programs) and the only conclusion I'm at is reinstalling windows.

I have heard of Nlite but I don't trust my tech skills whatsoever to try it.

Then I have this second problem:
I want a new vid card and I have been looking at the 8800GTS(640MB) yet after reading reviews it looks like I have to replace the old mobo out (in case it fries it anyway)

I have been wanting a new comp but the cost is insane with the new parts for the new RAM, Mobo (Proc prices oddly nice) and a new PSU.

So I wasn't sure if I should hold off the new vid to save my old mobo from getting killed along with the PSU. Or I should start slowly buyings new parts and build myself a whole new comp. (Which I can't salvage nothing not even the RAM).

your way of better to just reinstall windows or insert the windows cd reboot and do a windows install over the old install while leaving the other contents alone. As your specs are fine.

I own a setup comparable to yours.

Unfortunatly the 939 socket done its time and you and I have to move on. The decision here is to change to the sinking quicksand line of AMD the AM2 or go with Intel.

If your changing your motherboard for a new multi-core processor and a new video card, your likely to have to buy a new power supply.

Since your using the Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe, your ram will no longer be supported as its been replaced with DDR2 or DDR3 (do not go with DDR3 yet as its not ready)

The 8800 line of video cards produce ALOT of heat, so also consider getting a few more case fans as needed.

You could try exporting your current registry, reinstalling Windows, then importing the old registry(one you exported). Make sure you DONT SAVE THE EXPORTED REGISTRY IN THE SAME FOLDER AS YOUR OS! It will get wiped if you save it in the My Documents folder, or on your desktop, so save it in a folder on the root drive(c:/ExportRegistry as an example), if you dont have another partition available.

I woudnt backup the registry if your formating. Registry stores hardware and driver information and will cause issues if changing hardware.

Good old file backup format reinstall process.

Save your important documents, bookmarks and email. the rest can be reinstalled.

Well I got my list of things to save and got DVDs and all that jazz. So I'm gonna reinstall but I still need an answer for the second question.

So I'm sticking it out with my mobo cause it's crazy expensive to basically buy a whole new set up (so gotta go bit by bit).

At any rate I still want the 8800 but wasn't sure if my 939 socket could handle the beast.

Also what's wrong with the AMD line as of now and AM2?

Yes AM2 is the current AMD socket and this is the current situation on AMD.

AMD has generally been a good product, but all put aside with AMD lovers (I am one) they have been losing market shares and their products are being outperformed by Intel for a while.

AMD unfortunatly never had as much money backing them up as Intel did and with competitive products outperforming theirs, their profits have been way down. Many articles claim that AMD is soon to be in dept. Its been said that two possible outcomes could save the company, either AMD goes Private (was that private or public? I forget) or AMD be purchased by a company that can back them up, HP or another company was suggested.

AMD's smaller financial force with competition outperforming their products and a few bad decisions put AMD in its current situation unfortunatly. Their new line of True Quad cores is their latest product and is to be waited to see if it will be a hit or not.

I still like AMD but its unfortunate that Intel has a much larger lead then it once did.

Ah now I understand. So in any case if I'm going to upgrade it's going to be Intel from now on unless AMD can come through.

Very unfortunate, I love AMD too and built my first comp (this one) with it and very happy with it but times are changing more games higher need for top-of-the-line hardware. =/ Thanks a lot for the info.

If your not looking to purchase your processor right now, you might want to wait a little for AMD to release their True Quad Core processor and then read a credible review of the product like www.tomshardware.com which give awesome detailed reviews

I hope AMD can succeed with this line of processor

Im a AMD lover as well... a simpre CPU upgrade wouldnt go amiss, a x2 4400 or x2 4800 both are hard to find in the 939 flavour, though you can get a x2 4200 for as £50

Never had that problem. I did an export, reinstalled Windows, imported registry, then installed new hardware. import/export I use so I dont have to reinstall every program I have(and I have alot of multi-disc ones).

After some time away I got windows reinstalled (no more random reboots) got everything I had on my comp back in just one day.

About the proc it works great so far, can't really tell potential since running a game like Bioshock requires a better VGA card than anything (Note my specs) My monitor is a 1680x1050 res flat screen so I have to run Bioshock on a lower res or my comp lags bad.

At any rate I still wanted the 8800GTS (I know which one I want specifically) But I've read one or two things that someone have an older mobo and the card killed it so I wasn't sure if I wanted to try that on a 939 even if I got a high PSU.

Yeah your definatly want a top quality dx10 video card for Bioshock. Have you considered the GTX?

To let you know GTX is harsh on a college student's funding even though I can afford the GTX it would hurt me more than if I can get a really good GTS.

Also I don't have vista yet but this card still handle everything else I have with my high resolution.

As of right now I can run Bio with settings maxed (but I'm sure it can go higher with the extra features in GTS) but there's no way I can run it at my res.

But I wanted to know if the card could harm my 939.

It possible, but pretty unlikely, Id think. By the way, dont forget to install not just the latest drivers for your video/sound card, ect, but also see if theres a newer version of your BIOS as well.

If your on a budget i would recommend SLI'ing 2 cheaper DX10 cards, my setup is a Dual core AMD 3800, ABit Fatality mobo with 2 8600GT sli graphics cards......plays all the games I want at the moment at decent framerates.

I think the AMD dual core still have some life left in them as there is not much software that really needs the power not unless your into real time grahics rendering etc.

Thanks for the input, I already flashed my new BIOs before the install (which is still there) and to hear two 8600 SLI running just fine I think I'll just buying with a bigger PSU just in case.