AMD CPU Reccomendations

[Bonesdad]

Wanna upgrade my ECS K7S5A mobo with an Athlon XP CPU (currently with a 900 Mhz Duron). Question is, which one? I think this mobo can handle up to 2400+ or beyond, but those are still out of my price range. Thinkin somewhere between the 1800+ or the 2000+. Prices are excellent, know any good deals out there. I think Googlegear has the 2000+ retail for $87 (which seems pretty unstoppable)...

 

[iwillrefuse]

I just picked up a 1700XP TB for $52 shipped. http://www.buyxtremegear.com/cu-119-108.html

Easily OC'd to 1800XP, and you can't beat that price. Difference between that and the 2000 seem negligible.

Matt

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

id get the fastest you can because your motherboard is rather lacking in ocability
xp2000 seems nice (does the motherboard support the new thoroughbreds as well or just palomino? check website for bios updates maybe if needed)

 

[Bonesdad]

According to website, it does support the Thoroughbreds, but until the 2000 B is released (if) others too expensive...

 

[Match]

If you aren't comfortable overclocking the processor, get the fastest processor you can afford.

If you want to try overclocking, you can do so with a new bios or software like CPUFSB or Speedfan. In this case I'd recommend the 1700+ and adjust the front side bus speed. The K7S5A supports fsb speeds of 133, 138, 143, 147, 150, and 166 (although this last option must be set from within Windows). The board doesn't allow multiplier adjustments, but it's always possible to change the bridges on the processor itself (some risk involved). I recommend you take a look at www.ocworkbench.com/ecs for more info on this board if you're interested. You can also dowload the modified bios called the "Cheepo bios" there, which enables the mentioned fsb values.