Cheap Upgrade

[bobalong]

I'm currently running:

1.7 (1.5ghz) AMD XP (Palomino core with 256kb cache) at 133fsb with a Volcano 12 hsf (31 degrees)
1 stick of double bank 512mb generic 333mhz ram
MSI KT4v socket A motherboard.
A couple of IDE drives (40gb & 60gb) at 7,200rpm
A couple of opticals (CDRW & DVD)
Geforce4 4400Ti - running Dual 17" CRT's & 24" TV
Santra cruz - sound forge card
Generic 350W PSU
Generic case

OS: XP MCE 2004 SP2

I've been running the above system for the past couple of years - the newest bit of kit was the Geforce4 card (£380 at time of purchase).

As stated in topic summary I have very little money, but I'd like to get my system running a bit more 'pokey'. For the money stated - what would be the beset upgrade option.

Used for gaming, office, Internet, Video editing, audio encoding, etc, etc (jack of all trades).

Options:

1) AMD Barton 3Ghz chip with 400fsb (but I'm guesssing I would require new memory modules to run at the same FSB speed)

2) New motherboard and a 2.8ghz AMD64 (again would I require new memory modules to run at correctly), but this would be future proofing (also a little pointless with the lack of 64 bit OS's and application support)

3) A nice fat SATA Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 10, 300GB with 16MB Cache (would require a SATA controller card).

Before you start laughing at my $hit set-up I'll state to you where my money goes:

Yamaha YZF600R race rep Motorbike > Girlfriend > Range Rover V8 (for the off roading weekends) > Computer.

 

[fuzzynavel]

Go for the A64....your memory should still work but not at full DDR 400 speeds....

 

[bobalong]

Originally posted by: fuzzynavel
Go for the A64....your memory should still work but not at full DDR 400 speeds....

The best prices I've found are:

A64 Newcastle 2800 512kb at £91 ($163)

Asus K8N 754 at £61 ($109)

and a Asus Star ice at £40 ($72)

Which stretches to £191 (a bank braking $345).

 

[magratton]

I would do the mobo/A64 upgrade. The RAM and video should not be far behind so when you get your next couple hundred, upgrade these as well. I think you will find that even though there is no 64-bit OS (for you anyways, unless you load linux) that you will see a performance boost with the A64. I runs 32bit applications better than 32 bit processors do. A lot of the boost has to do with the integrated memory controller.

 

[bobalong]

This reply is going to make me sound like a tight arse withmy money,

Any recommendations for which A64 and motherboard (no OC for me so I could get away with stock cooling)

 

[imported_Kiwi]

Really cheap, so you can get by until pricing and availability of nV 6600 AGP's: a 333 MHz Barton with 512 cache, maybe a mobile that can be OC'd somewhat. Whatever 2500-2800 is on sale somewhere.

 

[Toro 45]

Have you tried overclocking you athlon xp you have now? should hit 166fsb easily and probably higher. Or do like Kiwi said get a mobile Xp and OC or by a fast barton chip use it on your mobo get another stick of 512mb if you stay under 200 on your fsb you can still use you 512mb ddr333 ram.

 

[bobalong]

Originally posted by: Toro 45
Have you tried overclocking you athlon xp you have now? should hit 166fsb easily and probably higher. Or do like Kiwi said get a mobile Xp and OC or by a fast barton chip use it on your mobo get another stick of 512mb if you stay under 200 on your fsb you can still use you 512mb ddr333 ram.

I've tried a bit of overclocking - the best I hit was 143mhz, with a 0.5v increase before the PCI's 'spazzed' out on me. The MSI board doesn't like being OC'd at all.

I like the idea of using a Barton XP2600 multiplier unlocked and some ddr400 ram (I know it would run at 333, but it mean I could use it when/if I do decide to go down the A64 route.