Best bang for the buck cpu/mobo combo right now?

[JEDI]

I currently have a p3-1.1ghz w/512megs SDR ram with a Geforce 4200 64megs video. I want to upgrade so i can play half-life 2 at 1280x1024x16bit w/2xAA at ~30fps when it comes out in Sept. i need to build it now because i wont have time in august due to work and my own vacation.

i know my video card is good. i also have 768megs of DDR (pc2100) ram. (thanks for Offciemax free ram deal.)

so whats's the best bang for the buck cpu/mobo to have right now?

EDIT: doesnt matter intel or amd. just best bang for my $ but must be able to use pc2100 ram

Edit2: video card = gf4 4200 64megs

 

[Jeff7181]

Are you looking at Intel? Or is AMD also an option? Definately can't beat the performance of an Epox 8RDA+ with an XP1700 overclocked to 2.2-2.4 Ghz for $150 or less. If you don't like overclocking, same board with an XP2500 or 2600 would be under $200.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Well, you can sell the DDR to get cash for PC2700 (AMD) or PC3200 (P4 C). An XP 2500+ and PC2700 is definitely the best value and is probably fast enough for HL2, but we won't know for sure until it is out. For intel at stock speeds a 2.6C - 2.8C and 2 x 512MB PC3200 DDR is a big step up from the 2500+ in both performance (woohoo!) and price (d'oh!).

For P4, an Abit IS7 or Asus P4P800. For AMD look at the other 327 "rig" threads here and all the "which mobo" threads in the motherboards forum.

 

[tbates757]

Best bang for your buck depends on if you are overclocking or not.

If so:

Epox 8RDA+ ($85) with AMD AthlonXP 1700+ ($45-$50).. Most can overclock to 2.2GHz, and for $135, you can't really beat it

If not overclocking:

Epox 8RDA+ ($85) with AMD Barton 2500+ Retail ($90, and if you change your mind this processor is no slouch at overclocking either), and that is still only $175

 

[Xionide]

Originally posted by: tbates757
Best bang for your buck depends on if you are overclocking or not.

If so:

Epox 8RDA+ ($85) with AMD AthlonXP 1700+ ($45-$50).. Most can overclock to 2.2GHz, and for $135, you can't really beat it

If not overclocking:

Epox 8RDA+ ($85) with AMD Barton 2500+ Retail ($90, and if you change your mind this processor is no slouch at overclocking either), and that is still only $175

I second the notion

-Xionide

 

[bambam]

Maybe substitute this motherboard - Biostar M7NCD PRO because it less because it has a $ 15 rebate ( ends in 7/31/03 , see www.newegg.com )

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Are you looking at Intel? Or is AMD also an option? Definately can't beat the performance of an Epox 8RDA+ with an XP1700 overclocked to 2.2-2.4 Ghz for $150 or less. If you don't like overclocking, same board with an XP2500 or 2600 would be under $200.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: tbates757
Best bang for your buck depends on if you are overclocking or not.

If so:

Epox 8RDA+ ($85) with AMD AthlonXP 1700+ ($45-$50).. Most can overclock to 2.2GHz, and for $135, you can't really beat it

If not overclocking:

Epox 8RDA+ ($85) with AMD Barton 2500+ Retail ($90, and if you change your mind this processor is no slouch at overclocking either), and that is still only $175

hm..i miss the days of k7s5a and a XP processor for $90 total at outpost.com

 

[Dug]

hm..i miss the days of k7s5a and a XP processor for $90 total at outpost.com

That's the most headache for the buck.

Spend $30 more on a combo and you get stability, the best overclocking features, Dolby Digital sound, 10/100 nic, two more usb ports, firewire ports, dual channel memory, a better stepping cpu, etc.

But heck, if you don't need that stuff, save yourself $30 and cross your fingers. (Never mind the resale value)

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: bambam
Maybe substitute this motherboard - Biostar M7NCD PRO because it less because it has a $ 15 rebate ( ends in 7/31/03 , see www.newegg.com )

nice for $70 after rebate..but will it allow me to o/c a 1700+ to 2.2ghz?

Originally posted by: Dug

hm..i miss the days of k7s5a and a XP processor for $90 total at outpost.com

That's the most headache for the buck.

Spend $30 more on a combo and you get stability, the best overclocking features, Dolby Digital sound, 10/100 nic, two more usb ports, firewire ports, dual channel memory, a better stepping cpu, etc.

But heck, if you don't need that stuff, save yourself $30 and cross your fingers. (Never mind the resale value)

the k7s5a deal was over a year. oh..you mean the k7s5a pro? yeah, i would skip that since i need 3 DDR memory slots

 

[JEDI]

woah..k7s5a pro and XP2400+ for $89! FRY's

Thats $45 difference from the Epox 8RDA+ ($85) with AMD AthlonXP 1700+ ($45-$50) combo.

hm............i guess i could accept only 512megs of ram

 

[ethebubbeth]

Also, remember that AMD cpu's work best with the memory running synchronously with the front side bus. If you got a 2500+ you would need pc2700 ram to work synchronously with it. For pc2100 the 2400+ would work nicely with its 266mhz FSB.

 

[konichiwa]

Another vote for 8RDA+ and 2500+ Barton

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: JEDI
woah..k7s5a pro and XP2400+ for $89! FRY's

Thats $45 difference from the Epox 8RDA+ ($85) with AMD AthlonXP 1700+ ($45-$50) combo.

hm............i guess i could accept only 512megs of ram

Another vote for the Fry's deal. I have done three, and kick butt for $89.

 

[Davegod]

nice deal, another AMD suggestion is any of their chips with a Asus A7N8X-X, aslong as you dont need the omitted features. Beware PC2100 is DDR266, so might be unwise to go for a 333/400 fsb cpu?

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: Davegod
Beware PC2100 is DDR266, so might be unwise to go for a 333/400 fsb cpu?

ok, looks like i wont be going with the 8RDA+ since it's 333 FSB.

k7s5a pro/xp2400+ will be it for me then

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: ethebubbeth
Also, remember that AMD cpu's work best with the memory running synchronously with the front side bus. If you got a 2500+ you would need pc2700 ram to work synchronously with it. For pc2100 the 2400+ would work nicely with its 266mhz FSB.

whats the formula to determine what speed memory to use with which FSB?

ie: how did you determine that i could use pc2100 for 266mhz fsb, but need pc2700 for anything faster.

and why would i need pc2700 for an xp2500+? i thought xp2600+ or or below used 266mhz and 2700+ or above used 333mhz???

 

[Markfw]

Here it is:
XP2400 and below (all XP's)=266 FSB
XP2600 comes in a 266 FSB version (hard to find someone said) and a 333 FSB version
XP2700 and up AND ALL Barton CPU's (XP2500 is a Barton)=333 FSB

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Here it is:
XP2400 and below (all XP's)=266 FSB
XP2600 comes in a 266 FSB version (hard to find someone said) and a 333 FSB version
XP2700 and up AND ALL Barton CPU's (XP2500 is a Barton)=333 FSB

thx. how about Ram speed?

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Here it is:
XP2400 and below (all XP's)=266 FSB
XP2600 comes in a 266 FSB version (hard to find someone said) and a 333 FSB version
XP2700 and up AND ALL Barton CPU's (XP2500 is a Barton)=333 FSB

thx. how about Ram speed?

you want to run the ram in sync with the CPU

 

[MrPickins]

Ram speed :
PC2100=133Mhz=266Mhz(DDR)
PC2700=166Mhz=333Mhz(DDR)
PC3200=200MHz=400Mhz(DDR)

Also, I have a K7S5A pro in my second pc, and I have had no problems with it (aside from lack of features). Just be aware that overclocking is out of the question unless you flash the bios with a modified one (I use the HoneyX bios).

 

[Ionizer86]

And I recall that XP3200+ is 400 bus, but why would anyone pay up like $400 for such a chip?

I second (or third) the XP1700+ or XP2500+ depending on if you want to splurge on the extra $30 to $40 or so. But when purchasing, remember both are overclockable, but the cache on both is stuck as-is, so it's kind of about buying L2 cache with cash (cheesy comment of the day).

 

[Fallengod]

Originally posted by: Ionizer86
And I recall that XP3200+ is 400 bus, but why would anyone pay up like $400 for such a chip?

I second (or third) the XP1700+ or XP2500+ depending on if you want to splurge on the extra $30 to $40 or so. But when purchasing, remember both are overclockable, but the cache on both is stuck as-is, so it's kind of about buying L2 cache with cash (cheesy comment of the day).

Yeah no kidding. 3200+ is over $400. Like $450. Shoot, you can get a intel 3.0ghz for $350 and thats faster/better chipsets.

 

[brettjrob]

Originally posted by: JEDI

so whats's the best bang for the buck cpu/mobo to have right now?

Springdale board with a P4 2.4C, without a doubt

EDIT: ...must be able to use pc2100 ram

Ah, I guess not then . Truthfully, there is no way you can expect to use PC2100 RAM in July 2003 and take advantage of any of the recent motherboards or CPU's. In fact, the absolute highest CPU you could get would be an AMD Athlon XP 2600+ which uses the 266MHz FSB. When it comes to HL2 and Doom3 I suspect any system with PC2100 may struggle a bit... though who am I to say before either has been released.

IMO it would be a shame to let the RAM prevent you from taking advantage of great deals like the 2.4C/Springdale or 2500+/nForce2 combos. If you would be willing to sell your RAM (especially if it's unopened) that would help you out some -- say you can get $50 or $60 out of it to put towards the $110 or so two sticks of 256MB PC3200 will set you back. However if you really want to use that free RAM you got I can understand, in which case I say go with the cheapest setup available (Epox 8RDA+ and XP1700+), try to overclock some, and save your dough for a real overhaul sometime next year or early the following year with Prescott/Athlon64/Tejas.

 

[wetcat007]

Originally posted by: Xionide

Originally posted by: tbates757
Best bang for your buck depends on if you are overclocking or not.

If so:

Epox 8RDA+ ($85) with AMD AthlonXP 1700+ ($45-$50).. Most can overclock to 2.2GHz, and for $135, you can't really beat it

If not overclocking:

Epox 8RDA+ ($85) with AMD Barton 2500+ Retail ($90, and if you change your mind this processor is no slouch at overclocking either), and that is still only $175

I second the notion

-Xionide

I third it!