If you are intent on upgrading now and not waiting until the "ATHLON64 X2" CPUs are released (and become affordable), you can get a '939' ATHLON64 CPU now. The dual core "ATHLON64 X2" CPUs are supposed to swap in with only a BIOS upgrade needed (a free download). As you are (no doubt) used to INTEL prices, the "3400+" rating would be affordable, and then in early 2006 you could upgrade to the new dual core CPUs.

IF you are intent on upgrading, do NOT get the "754" Athlon64 CPUs - those are not upgradable to the upcoming dual cores.

I would suggest that you get a knowlegable friend or a computer shop to help you put a system together that matches your needs. I always prefer to build a custom computer to buying one from a store. By custom building it, a knowledgable person can put together a very fast system with no 'weak' parts.

FYI - I've been running AMD CPUs since AMD K-5 and have never had a compatibility problem. I run AutoCAD, a high-end civil 3D modeling software, and of course Vue, along with the usual MS stuff. My wife also runs AMD CPUs, and she does a lot of work with Adobe products with no problems whatsoever.

As an added suggestion, I would not upgrade. You'd be 'trashing' literarily the whole computer except for the hard drive & case. I would recommend keeping the old computer as a render box or a spare, and building a new computer from 'scratch'. With the cost of the components, the drive and case costs are minimal, especially if you'd be getting a larger drive anyway.

Good Luck.

Message edited on: 05/13/2005 15:10