Adam,

Let's not start enscribing the epitaph for Socket 940 as of yet. It's true that Socket 939 will be the top end enthusiast line simple because of the less expensive motherboard manufacturing process (we're talking dollars here...not 10's or 100's of dollars) and, of course, the less expensive unbuffered RAM.

Let's look at what you got. A heckuva deal on one really fast system. Think of it this way...in order to get a noticeable boost in performance there must be a significant jump in processor speed. Moving from FX-51 to FX-53 is indeed faster but measureable only by benchmarks and not really in the "feel" of the two given identical setups. By the time a processor level comes out that provides a worthwhile processor upgrade. (FX-61? FX-71?) the whole pricing and scope of the platform is going to change.

I am presuming that Socket 939 will be to AMD what Socket 462 was. Remember how at the beginning of one year we were just approaching the 1 GHz barrier and then zoom...1.4 and 1.6 GHz. Just about that time the PR rating came into effect. There were some significant jumps in processor speeds.

Now we sit at 3800+ (2.4 GHz in Intelanguagese) at the start of a new Socket. Could we all be in for another year of jumps? I could see 3 GHz perhaps but it's anyone's guess. It is for certain that new processors will come out...they may be faster in GHz but I think they will "mushroom" in other areas such what happened with larger on die cache, HT links and so on.

You've got a pretty lickety split system at a good price. Be happy. By the time you "need" a new system ...things will have changed again. PCI Express and so on.

Those that always keep up with the bleeding edge of technology probably are millionaires. I'm selling off body parts to keep me in the game. I just have to remember to keep one arm to type with and at least one eye.