Dilema: Which upgrade to get next?

[MrBond]

I just started a new job and have got some money, so I'm thinking about doing the following:

1) Upgrade my current rig from it's current state (Asus A7V, Athlon at 1.3 ghz, 256mb ram) to a p4 1.6A on a (possible) Asus P4B533-E with DDR ram. I'm looking at around $420 for just the ram, board, and chip, and I'll probably pick up another case (w/o a PS as the one I have now is p4 approved).

2) Upgrade just the video to around a GF4 4400 with 128mb of memory. This will cost ~$200.

I am not very happy with my current system as far as heat/noise level goes (it is quite loud, I can't nap with it on). As far as computing power, I don't seem to be lacking too much there, except in the video department. I'd really like to get rid of the heat pump that I've got now (it really does make a marked difference in temperature of the room) in favor of something quieter and cooler running.

Will I notice much of a difference in the p4 1.6A (I'll overclock it as much as I can as long as I don't leave stock vcore settings) if I hit, say 2.4ghz and go with 256mb of DDR 2100? General computing won't change much for me, but I'm wondering if it'll help compensate for the lacking in video card power. Or should I just go with a GF4 4400 and stick with my current processor/board?

Normally it'd be an easy decision and I'd just go with the p4, but I'm doubting it now that I'm actually closer to buying the stuff.

Any advice would be appreciated. Also open to suggestions on which intel 845-E to go with, I'm looking at either the asus board or the epox 4g4a+ with raid.

 

[CrazySaint]

It really depends on whether you place a higher priority on a cool/quiet PC or faster video. A P4 1.6A will be a LOT cooler and quieter than your current TBird rig. The video performance will increase some (particularly in CPU-bound games like Q3A, JKII and RtCW), but I wouldn't expect more than maybe 10-20% increase from just a CPU upgrade. If you do go with a P4 1.6A, both the Asus P4B533-E and the 4G4A+ are excellent boards. The 4G4A+ might be a bit faster (has newer chipset and supports different mem ratios), but the Asus board would probably be less picky about things like RAM (the 4G4A+ doesn't OC very well with 2 sticks of RAM). I would also absolutely recommend that you get some good PC2700 instead of PC2100, as PC2100 will not only hurt your performance, but also your OC potential. You can get 512MB of Corsair XMS PC2700 for $150.50 at googlegear.com with Fedex 2nd Day S+H.

However, if you decide that video performance is more of a priority, you might consider upgrading the video card and also to a XP 1600+, which will still be cooler and quieter (if you get a quiet HSF) than your TBird, and of course will also be a bit faster.

 

[MrBond]

Thanks for the suggestions. What kind of o/c hit can I expect using 2 sticks of ram on the 4g4a+? Or is that one of those things that's dependant on a lot of other things?

The 1600+ actually might be viable. How much cooler do they run then the tbirds? Are the p4's even cooler? The advantage to that (as you said) would be that I could also do a video upgrade and possibly kill two birds with one stone.

TIA

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: MrBond
Thanks for the suggestions. What kind of o/c hit can I expect using 2 sticks of ram on the 4g4a+? Or is that one of those things that's dependant on a lot of other things?

The 1600+ actually might be viable. How much cooler do they run then the tbirds? Are the p4's even cooler? The advantage to that (as you said) would be that I could also do a video upgrade and possibly kill two birds with one stone.

TIA

I'm not sure what the exact "hit" on your OC'ability you get from using two sticks, but I'm gonna guess that you would probably only be able to OC about 20% less than you would, otherwise, but that's just a guess. P4s are a noticably cooler than XPs, although if you could get your hands on a TBred 1600+, it should be a good bit cooler than a Palomino 1600+, but not quite as cool as a P4. But with a Palomino 1600+, if you get a good stepping (AGOIA) you should be able to undervolt it a bit to make it run cooler. But undervolted or not, you should be able to stick a good HS (SVC GC68 or Thermalright AX-7) with a quiet 80mm fan on top (Panaflo L1A) and a silent (or very nearly silent) HS/F combo. OTOH, the 1.6A comes with a silent stock fan, and you should be able to hit 2.4GHz even on default voltage (though this is no guarantee). If you go with a P4, get a 1.8A instead of the 1.6A as the 1.6As were discontinued back in June, so the newer 1.8As actually OC higher than the 1.6As, and their about the same price.

 

[Dolemite76]

tough decision... usually this is the biggest dilema a potential upgrade has... faster system (cpu, ram, chipset, for overclocking)... or faster video (for all the L33t games you own already)... my philosophy is if you can't make it all faster or the upgrade will only last you a year then wait and save up some more cash and build a whole new rig... and remember... your rig is only as fast as its slowest part... GOOD LUCK in your decision...

 

[MrBond]

Well, I think I might just go the 1.6A route and see if I can sneak in a GF3/GF4 in there somehow, I'll have to work out my budget for the next few months first though . To replace the processor [with an XP chip], I'd have to replace the board, and if I do that, I really want to go to something with integrated USB 2.0.

I am looking seriously at that Epox board, as well as the Gigabyte board that just got the gold award from AT (The 8IEXP). The gigabyte board has built in firewire, which might be nice in the future.

I shouldn't have any trouble using DDR 2700 in a board if they're only rated up to 2100, should I? I know on ASUS's site, it said the p4b533-e was rated up to 2100.