New AMD Socket

Both my desk top computers use the AMD Socket 939 processor. The socket 939 accepts either a Single or dual core AMD processor, and DDR I memory sticks.

The next generation AMD socket is called the AM2 socket. The AM2 socket comes in a 940-pin package and supports either DDR I or DDR II [DDR2] memory modules. The AM2 processor socket has the same cache size as the Socket 939 processor.

There are a number of AM2 processor speeds, I only list the higher grade ones I may up-grade to:
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62: 2.8GHz clock, 1MBx2 L2 Cache, 125W
AMD Athlon 64 FX-60: 2.6GHz clock, 1MBx2 L2 Cache, 125W
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+: 2.6GHz clock, 512kB x2 L2 Cache,89 watts
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+: 2.4GHz clock speed, 1MB x2 L2 Cache, 89 watts

So the Alienware PC is using an AMD 3800 single core processor, while the HP m7470n PC is using an AMD Dual core 4200 processor.

The next up-grade will be a new motherboard for the Alienware 5500 to accept the new AMD processor socket AM2. Moving to the new AM2 motherboard may keep the up-grade current for a longer amount of time. The difference between DDR I and DDR II makes no difference from the numbers I've seen.