CPU Geeks Step In

I have a job for you guys. I need a faster CPU and I've not followed the hardware side of things for quite some time. Need to save myself some headaches.

Here's my board: http://epox.com/USA/product.asp?id=EP-8RDA6plusPRO
I have a AMD XP 2800+ in it

Here's what I want to know.

1. Is the Sempron faster than my current CPU?
2. if # 1, then what is the fastest I can put in my board.
   1. Also select the second fastet Sempron so long as it is not any slower than my current CPU.
3. Based on #2, pick me out a nice heat sink that is compatible with that board.
   1. The HSF needs to have speed control on it so I can manage the sound.
   2. Preferably one that doesn't sound like an jet plane when on Medium; though it can sound like that when on High as it is expected. High should be ~6000rpm or more.

Desired result:
I am looking to boost my CPU speed some more and slap some more RAM in to the tune of 2G. I'm just trying to decide what is the fastest and second fastet CPU's this board can handle along with an HSF to suit.


If I decide that the above doesn't do me much good I would like to move to AMD 64. Following a similar instruction set above, select a CPU/HSF/Mobo combo for me.

Good luck and thanks !

 

Is your XP 2800+ a Barton 512mb cache, 333fsb?
I don't thing you'll notice any speed improvement by changing CPU, certainly not to a sempron.

I'd suggest you OC that 2800 a bit
2gb ram, go for pc4000/ddr500, then the only OCing will be on the CPU.
There's nothing like 250 fsb on a NF2 (there's no guarantee your can do 250fsb, I'll bet you can at least get close if not to 250fsb)

The best HS for socket A / Best price too, is a Thermalright SI-97a (the only thing better will be water cooling)
http://www.jab-tech.com/ThermalRight-SI-97A-pr-2999.html
add three pin tail, add panaflo H1bx 92mm fan

The above HSF will work great on a 64, for a 64 another good one is Thermalright XP-90
http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermalright-XP-90-OEM-pr-2921.html

Upgrade to AMD 64 socket 939?
Ya might wait few weeks to see where CPU prices go
AM2 too new, I'll wait, let others work out the Bugs

If you wanted to OC I'd go Opteron socket 939 CPU
Here's awesome price on a Opteron 146, $119
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=120331

I have a Opteron 146 on a DFI Ultra D running at 2760Mhz on stock Volts, Thats FX speeds most can get near 3ghz
Opteron's single or dual core's are awesome Ocers

 

if you're gonna upgrade the CPU wait a few days until Conroe comes out. Thats is going to MAJORLY drop AMD's prices. For example, the fx-62 is now over 1k...after conroe, probably closer to $500 so it can compete with conroe prices. yay intel, you've finally stepped up your game!

 

Thanks guys..
@ASUS.. not going the overclocking route. I need a fast box that is not prone to instability and not something that I need to tinker with .. frequently, as this will be my development box.

If you or anyone else have any other suggestions, please post them
Thanks!