Question 2. More RAM? or a Better processor?

Currently running an AMD Barton 2600 processor on a DFI Nforce II motherboard, DDR 512 ram. Im upgrading and I need to know what to do, I will either go to 1 GIG of ram, and up the processor to an AMD Athalon XP 3200+ OR I will leave the current processor in the system and up the RAM to 2GIG. Either way I plan on water cooling the system. Which direction should I go?
1 GIG RAM and AMD Athalon 3200+
OR
2 GIG RAM and Keep the AMD 2600+ Barton

 

It may depend on what you're using the computer for. If it is I/O performance that is important, like editing then I believe you will get more bang for your buck with more RAM. If it processor intensive, like computing convolution filters for image processing or rendering then the faster CPU is the better choice.

 

the 2600 barton is 1.92ghz the barton is 2.2 that is not much of a performance gain for the money you will spend on the new processor the only performance gain that would be worth the money is if you went to sckt 939 board and a 64 bit processor, the only problem with that is there is only a beta 64 bit os and few programs that actually use the 64 bit tech. The memory though if you get pc3200 will help and you would be able to carry it over to your next build.

 

2 gig of ram is useless unless in very extreme circumstances when you have alot of programs open decoding and stuff a gig is more than enough.The cpu upgrade also wont show much improvement the best improvements are seen with chipset and socket upgrades so I would agree dump the watercooling and get a new board and cpu.

Watercooling will not show anywhere near the performance increase of better parts its just for people obsessed with a quiet pc or overclockers.It isnt economical unless you push a midrange cpu a643500 say faster than an overclocked a64 fx on air.

 

Ok so it seems my best choice is to go with 1 GIG of ram and then grab a new board and an AMD 64. Thats what I was kind of thinking as well. Now, what would you recomend for a board? and which version of the AMD 64 to go with it? The computer is used mostly for Games and some processing. Which chipset shall i look at? 939? 754?

 

You go 939 for sure. I think they might discontinue 754's.

You always want to go with a board that will allow you the space to upgrade in the future.

I went with a 939 so I could ultimately upgrade to fx processor.

I got a Foxconn Board on New Egg at a discount of like 100.00 and then bought the chip. I wanted the 939 pin for the upgrade.

I dont like the thought of being stuck. 939 is the ebst way to go.

I also have 1gb ram and believe me, its more than enough . I have a 200 gb hard drive also. This is all I need basically.

 

Depends how much you wanna spend but it must be 939.nf3 if you wanna use agp graphics card nf4 if you want to buy a new pci express one. Im happy with my msi neo plat2 its king of the nf3 unless dfi has brought out there 939 nf3 yet