AMD Athlon 64 recommendations....

Okay.... I'm getting a lot of money for graduation... And I figure I'll blow it on computer stuff....
I've got an AMD Athlon 3000+ no overclocking..... And I was thinking about going up to an AMD Athlon 64 3000+ or 3200+ (I can't afford to go to 64 FX or anything like that.)
I'd like to get some input from someone who has one, because I live in a technology poor part of the US and no one I know has one. I'd like to know if it's really worth the money (the benchmarks are definatly better...)
Ohhh... yeah....I'll be using the system for gaming and mixing music.... I also won't be doing any processor overclocking.... I guess that's important to know....
Ohhh... and please don't leave messages to tell me that I should spend it on upgrading my video card.... (Radeon 9200SE) I already know it sucks and I'm working on a few one.... lol thanks

 

if you can, get an Athlon64 3400+, otherwise make sure you get a 3200+ with a nice amount of ram, PC3200 in this case as you won't be overclocking.
a nice mainboard, such as the Asus K8N-E is a requierement too, as you can't put an A64 on an AthlonXP mobo, but I'm sure you already knew that
Also, I've seen (don't actually own one, but have 3 friends who do) the A64 in action and it is just that fast, it's going to be my next upgrade too, enjoy yours

 

Lol.... I'm not THAT big of a noob...
I was thinking about an Asus K8V (I think that's the model...) It looks like it's got everything I want at the price range I want... Any ideas how good this board is?
I'll probably get a 3000+ or 3200+ (depends on funding...) I'll only have 512 megs of DDR 400 at first... But I'll get more eventually (I hate being poor...)

 

I know you said not to say anything about it, but I would seriously consider getting a new video card before an Athlon 64.

 

AHHHHH!!!!
I know... I used to have a 9600XT till it died on me (made some very pretty colors on the screen though)... A new video card is on my list of stuff to order with the Athlon 64 stuff... It's between a 9600XT, 9800Pro, or 9800XT. Probably will be 9800Pro.

 

I'd get the 9800Pro, best bang for the buck imo.

 

Well, if youre doing audio editing a graphics card isnt very important, as long as you do have a plug in card not built in its fine. (otherwise you get annoying dropouts where the video chipset uses the CPU to render somthing while youre mixing somthing).

3200/3400 64bit is a good way to go for audio editing, but if you do mixing/recording etc. i would suggest you get a nice card like the Delta 44, if you dont have one already. or the Delta 66 if you use digital devices to record. Nice and hi res recording, and have XLR inputs on them! How incrediably useful!

 

IMO buying a 64bit CPU at this point in time does nothing more than future proof you for 64bit apps.. which are rare. I'd wait or save the cash for college.. unless of course you are graduating from college in which case, pay off your loans if you have any

 

But the AMD 64 processors have a massive performance gain over the 32bit counterparts. And I know for a fact that Digidesign are in the process or developing Pro tools for 64bit x86 processors. They'll probably release it as windows 64 comes out.

 

I've seen the benchmarks.. improvement, yes.. massive no. And whoopadee doo, one more app for 64Bit.. ya got me all a shudder. Right now it's a novelty item and thus overpriced. Have patience young jedi.

 

id agree with you there, it is a novelty item I was just making the reference to pro tools as its relevant since he will do "mixing" on this machine.

Once it becomes mainstream, any therefore becomes USEFUL lets just hope that it doesnt stay that overpriced

 

Here is how i see it. I am going to use my computer untill it is useless. Then ill go out and buy a 64bit XP5000. Hehehe. I would wait for a 64 bit OS to come out to take advantage of its real power. If i where you i would overclock your 3000+ if you need the extra power and invest in a kick butt video card!

Just some thoughts from the only dark space around...my head.

Cooked

 

3000+ Bartons really suck for OCing, compared to other cores. i tried OCing mine in another machine (with faster ram) and it couldnt take a couple of extra Mhz. Same machine, but with a Palinto 2000+ and it overclocked nearly 300Mhz! Same cooling and everything.

 

Wow,i am surprised,
you would think as technology advances chips would become more stable. Especially when you are using faster memory.