Best upgrade for older mobo?

[Shakamaka]

A friend of mine has an Athlon 2000+ w/ ywith 700+mb of 2100 DDR ram. The highest upgrade he can get on the mobo is a 2400+, after that model number the chips start to get higher FSBs, and since he doesn't want to change mobo/ram it seems like the 2400+ is the way to go. I was wondering, however, if he can get say a 2600+ and run it at 266 fsb with a higher multiplier, or something along those lines... any ideas? Thanks ahead of time.

 

[Shakamaka]

^bump

 

[tenoc]

There are two 2600+s, the original which came out with the 2400+ and using a 266fsb.

Later we have the 333fsb version.

If you can find one you can use the 266fsb version.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

What does he use the system for and what video card is he using?

If he's a gamer, that CPU will be fine till games like HL2 and D3 come out, but until then its fine. I wouldn't reccomend buying it right away. Also, ask him what games he plans to play in the next year or two and his budget.

 

[DaveSimmons]

^^...and it might even be fine for D3 and HL2 with just a video card upgrade.

 

[Shakamaka]

He has a 9700 non pro. I talked him into getting a new HSF and overclock a bit instead (Does the 2000+ come with it's jumpers unlocked, I don't think he wants to mess with his FSB?). What's a good HSF in the $20 range, I'm actually probably gonna get one myself and push my 2500+ to at least 3000+.

 

[Mavrick007]

If his board doesn't let him use a higher fsb than 266 then it's not an Nforce 2 mobo and therefore it does not have the multiplyers unlocked
(and even then, it would have to be a Tbred b 2000+ cpu).

A good heatsink in the $20 range is the Thermalright SK-7 which is solid copper, and then you can put a standard 80mm fan on it.
You can also get a volcano 9 or a 7+ in the $20-30 range with fan which is a pretty decent hsf.