Assuming no OC'ing, 2700+ or 2500+ Barton?

[BlueWeasel]

I've currently got

Epox 8RDA
XP 2000+ (not OC'ed)
1024mb RAM (combination 512mb of PC3200 and 512mb of PC2700)
9800NP

I am looking at a CPU upgrade, but can't really decide to go with a 2700+ or a 2500+ Barton. Obviously, the Barton is the way to go if I want to O/C, but I will likely need to upgrade some of my RAM if I want to reach the magical 200 FSB.

If I didn't overclock, then the 2700+ would be the way to go right? Still only 256k of cache, but I'd see a noticeable increase from my 2000, from the higher FSB and pure ghz speed jump from 1.7 to rougly 2.2ghz.

Option 1)
Get the 2500+ and see how far I could O/C it using the memory I already have. The 512mb of PC2700 that I currently have is Muskin, and I have no idea how far it could go.

Option 2)
Get the 2700+ (non Barton) and not overclock.

What would you do?

 

[Corporate Thug]

option 1

 

[VIAN]

Option 2. or you could throw in another 23 bucks and get a 2800 with 512 cache and fsb 333. You'll be better off with the higher cache of the 2800 than the 2700.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: VIAN
Option 2. or you could throw in another 23 bucks and get a 2800 with 512 cache and fsb 333. You'll be better off with the higher cache of the 2800 than the 2700.

I agree with Vian, assuming you aren't going to overclock, the 2800 is going to get you the most performance for the least amount of $$.