Upgrade path

My current system:

- Abit KT7A-RAID board
- 1.2 GHz Thunderbird
- 1 GB (total) PC133 RAM
- Gainward GeForce4 Ti4200/64mb (AGP)
- WinXP Pro.

It's been a few years since I built my current system and I'm considering upgrades again, but I've been out of the hardware loop for a bit. The machine is used for a range of tasks including graphics work and gaming. It's really the gaming that's causing the upgrade, as the system's worked great at everything else I've wanted it to do so far. My biggest overall concern is noise. I've gotten the system down a near-whisper with silent Seagate drives, only two case fans, and a quiet processor heatsink/fan (I can't remember the name now). I'm including an "under this price" guesstimate for what I want to pay for each piece.

PROCESSOR: [< $150, if possible]
I've always used AMD processors because they've been cheaper, but I'm open to either AMD or Intel at this point, as long as it performs well and isn't insanely expensive. I tend to double CPU power when I upgrade (Pentium 200 > PIII-450 > Thunderbird 1.2 Ghz) so I'm now pondering the 2.5 Ghz range. I'd really like to keep noise levels down, so it should be able to run with just the two case fans and a good, quiet HSF. Can someone make a suggestion for both an Intel and AMD solution?

HEATSINK/FAN: [< $25]
Depending on AMD or Intel, I need some guides on a quiet HSF for the processor.

MOTHERBOARD: [<$100]
I've been partial to Abit boards but I really will consider anything. I don't have tough requirements... 4 or 5 PCI slots, 1 AGP, doesn't need RAID, and has to fit both a full tower/server and midtower case (might switch cases soon).

RAM: [<$100]
Since I'm still using to PC133 memory, I'm not even sure what kind of RAM I'll be needing to buy, depending on the motherboard suggestions from above. I'm aiming for at least 1 GB of RAM, if not more. I'm guessing I'll be switching to DDR.

VIDEOCARD:
My Ti4200 has worked wonderfully, and I'm holding off on up'ing this until the new system is in place; then I'll see if I need to upgrade it depending on my real-world performance.

I know that's a long and pretty general list of questions, but like I said I've been out of the loop and really need some guidance. Hopefully those price ranges are realistic, too.

m19

 

Building a new rig is so much fun

for the processor you could get somethin like a Athlon XP 3000 "Barton". I would try to avoid getting a Sepron(new AMD chip)
And the memory your going to need to spend maybe around $160 to get 1 gig of pc3200
As for the motherboard I dont know about Brand But I would consider looking for A Nforce 2 chipset

 

1) Looks like the Athlon XP 3000 Barton goes up to 2.2 Ghz and is right around the price range I'm looking in. I'm going to keep poking around Newegg, but the various kinds of processor and odd naming conventions are making it somewhat difficult. I'm searching Google now, but does anyone know of a site that compares all the various AMD and Intel processors?

2) Is PC3200 memory DDR? Is that just for AMD processors?

3) I remember reading when the Nforce boards were first coming out a few years ago. But don't those all have integrated video? I don't really need one, and I'm not too keen on integrated items in the first place.

m19

 

Any more suggestions? Possibly an Intel route? AMD motherboards?

m19

 

Yes, PC3200 is DDR and no, it's not just for AMD processors.



Steve

 

Since it's DDR, can I use any DDR-able motherboard, or are there specific ones like how there are for PC100 and PC133 RAM?

m19

 

Ok! After several rounds of research and price comparisons, here is my first go at the next round of upgrades I'm planning, depending on whether I go AMD or Intel. This is a "basics" list; I'm not including videocard, HSF, etc. Any opinions, or incompatabilities? In particular, I'm interested in what people think of the motherboards. (I don't need any integrated components but it looks like most boards these days come with them anyway.)

----AMD System----
Processor:
AMD XP 3000+ 2.16 Ghz (Barton, Socket A)
Motherboard(s):
Abit KV7 KT600
ASUS A7V8X-X KT400
Soyo SY-KT600 D+ v2.0
Memory:
Crucial 512MB PC3200 (184 or 200 pin?)

----Intel System----
Processor:
Intel P4 2.4A Ghz (Prescott)
Motherboard(s):
Abit VT7 PT880
ASUS P4PE2-X
Intel D865PERL
Soyo SY-P4I865PE
Memory:
Crucial 512MB PC3200 (184 or 200 pin?)

m19

 

I wish MG still had a post-5-minutes edit function... :\

[thinking aloud]
I've been reading some more processor reviews and it looks like Athlon 64s (the 3000+ in particular) are a better choice than XP, performance- and aging-wise. I was wondering why the AMD processors I was looking at were all so much lower than Intel's, but it seems like a 2.0 Athlon64 can match (or beat?) a 2.8 P4. But apparently the 64's slot type are going to be phased out to something else. Maybe P4 motherboards will allow for more upgrades in the future without replacing the board?
[/thinking aloud]

So much to think about... Still doing more research.

m19