"Best" Cpu for the ECS k7s5a pro?

[cchen]

I'm looking to do a cheap upgrade from my current setup (1.4 tbird) so I got a cheap k7s5a pro and 1 gig of pc2100.

now i'm not sure what i should get for the processor. i'm most concerned with stability, but i might be tempted to do some overclocking if the computer can stay stable and not overheat. i also want the most cost effective processor speed, since i won't be upgrading for another year maybe. so osmething in the 2ghz+ range.

could a barton even be utilized on the ecs board?

 

[robcy]

Your limiting factor will be the DDR2100 you bought. While the K7S5A is not an overclockers dream (far from it), you can if you wanted to, and they work great. With DDR2100 you can go with either a 2400+ or 2600+ as either will work. NOTE: make sure that the 2600+ you select is of the 266fsb kind. I cost is important the 2400+ will be your best bet.

 

[bjc112]

I also tend to agree that yor PC2100 is going to hold you back. Instead of buying new ram, just grab the 2600+ push the ram to it's limits and stick it out until Athlon 64/Prescott are in a reasonable price range.

Then do your system makeover.

 

[cchen]

Actually... I haven't bought the ram yet
What would you recommend to get? pc2700? or higher?

 

[pspada]

If you never intend to use it on anything but the K7S5A Pro, just get PC2100. If you intend to use it for faster machines, or overclocking, get PC3200.

 

[wampa]

I stated before pc2100 would be your best bet. Since you are not overclocking on this board, pc2700 would be a little to much since you cannot reach 166fsb. I would have also recommend the 2400xp or the 2600xp.

 

[cchen]

would a barton work on the ecs board? and would a barton 2500+ be faster than a xp2600 at 266?

 

[pspada]

Originally posted by: cchen
would a barton work on the ecs board? and would a barton 2500+ be faster than a xp2600 at 266?

Maybe, yes and no. it is possible to run a 2500+ on the board, but the best way is to run at 133fsb and up the multiplier. Because the board itself can not boot at a 166fsb, though you can wire mod the chip and use the cheepoman bios and speedfan to adjust the fsb up after boot - but it's just too much work. You be better off just spending a few bucks more on a better mobo that offically supports the 166fsb.

And while a 2500+ runs at a fsb of 166, it's clock speed is 1.83Ghz. But even with it's 133fsb, the 2600+ is running at 2.08Ghz, substantially faster than the 2500+. Lastly, the 2500+ has twice the L2 cache of the 2600+, which enhances mathmatical calculations.

Hope this helps, rather than confusing the issue.

 

[robcy]

If the ECS board is "in" then go with the 2600+, and 512mb of DDR2100 (1gb is overkill). It is a very stable board that provides good performce. While there are various ways of getting this board to 166fsb, they all involve added steps that are only worth it to people that love to tinker with sh&t. There are defenetely easier ways to go about it, and they will probably cost about the same or less as an XP2600+/1gb DDR2100/ECS.

Examples Using lowest prices found in pricewatch.

Your system
K7S5A Pro $40.78
XP2600+ $116.00 (266fsb)
1gb DDR2100 $132.00 (512mbx2)
Total $288.78

Option 1
Chaintech 7NIL1 $65.91
XP2500+ $83.00 (333fsb)
512md DDR3500 $82.00 (256mbx2)
Total $230.91

Note: the ddr2100 is the cheapest I could find (probably will not do Cas2.0 at 266fsb) the ddr3500 is not the good kind either but it will do cas 2.0 at 400fsb (underclocked).

The above systems will perform about the same at stock speeds, but you have way more options with option 1. You can upgrade the CPU to a 3200+ 400fsb, and not need anything. You can overclock the 2500+ by multiplier or fsb or both, and not need anything. PLUS you just saved close to $58.00 dollars, send me half as a counsultation fee, or by a HUGE copper HS with a 92mm fan and see if you can get the 2500+ to do 3200+ speeds .

 

[pspada]

But, for reference, you can usually get the ECS mobo WITH OEM processor (1800+, 2000+, 2200+, or even 2400+) for less than $100 as the Fry's dealie of the week, assuming you have a Fry's near you.

 

[jhites]

Originally posted by: pspada
But, for reference, you can usually get the ECS mobo WITH OEM processor (1800+, 2000+, 2200+, or even 2400+) for less than $100 as the Fry's dealie of the week, assuming you have a Fry's near you.

Just put one of the Fry's combo deals together for one my friends. He bought the K7S5A-Pro and a XP1800+ Retail (Throughbred B) for 59.99 on Labor Day Sale. I used the HoneyX OC BIOS and have it running at a modest 150fsb 1725Mhz @ default vcore with PC2700 Corsair Value Ram. Using the retail paperweigth heatsink with pad removed and AS Ceramique on it for 39C under full load. Not a bad OC and system upgrade for 60 bucks.

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: cchen
would a barton work on the ecs board?