Getting the Epox 8RDA+... Help!! How's this setup?

[SpyderX]

Hey!! I plan to buy the 8RDA+ really soon because unfortunately, my 8K7A+ is half-dead. Anyways, right now I'm on a TIGHT budget, so that's why I'm only going to buy the 8RDA+ alone. But I was wondering, (although I kind of know) is the board really flexible with FUTURE upgrades? Most importantly, will the board be compatiable with the future 64-bit chips or/and the future AMD Hammer series?

After I get the board my specs would be -

Epox 8RDA+
AMD T-Bird 1.4GHz (Retail HS/F (I think it's the Coolmaster))
Crucial 256DDRRAM (PC2100)
WD 80GBs (SE)
TDK 52x CDRW
Pioneer 16x DVD
Logitech Wireless Elite Duo
Antec 400w PSU
Hercules GTXP

That's like the basic of my system and in the future I would like to upgrade to

Epox 8RDA+ (still have this board of coruse)
AMD Hammer series processor
2 Sticks of Corsair XMS PC3200 512MB (1024 Total) (Unless you have a better suggestion memory-wise)
WD 80GBs (SE) (keeping that)
TDK 52x CDRW (keeping this)
Pioneer 16x DVD (Well, not sure. Depending on how much I have and my situation, I **MIGHT** get a DVD-R burner so it's a toss-up)
Logitech Wireless Elite Duo
Antec 400w PSU
Hercules GTXP (I'll probably keep this or maybe get an Audigy... I just read the thing about what SoundStorm is and I guess the Epox's board isn't SoundStorm-certified so...)

Anyways, AFTER I upgrade, then I will most likely overclock and get better cooling solutions.
So What do you guys think?
Thanks!

 

[Jeff7]

The 64-bit chips from AMD will use a new socket - physically and electrically incompatible. Socket A is nearing the end of its impressive lifespan (from the 600MHz Duron to the Tbreds and Bartons that can go to 2.25GHz, or higher if overclocked). I believe the Bartons are the end of the socket A line, but I could be wrong on that part.

 

[SpyderX]

Not even a bios flash can do anything? Bleh, now I'm stuck whether to go on with this half-dead motherboard, but then my ROMs won't be working or if I should just go for the 8RDA+ or what...
Ahhh this is tough...

With this motherboard my IDE is like dead and my Roms aren't working. If I get the 8RDA+ then I won't be able to use the Hammer series in the future? But it's coming out in a little bit (couple of months I think?) Bleh what should I do? Hmmmmm

 

[yodayoda]

yeah, i believe the barton/thorton is essentially the end of its life. you can still get a 2+ GHz processor, dual channel DDR400 setup in this same motherboard.

 

[yodayoda]

Originally posted by: SpyderX
Not even a bios flash can do anything? Bleh, now I'm stuck whether to go on with this half-dead motherboard, but then my ROMs won't be working or if I should just go for the 8RDA+ or what...
Ahhh this is tough...

With this motherboard my IDE is like dead and my Roms aren't working. If I get the 8RDA+ then I won't be able to use the Hammer series in the future? But it's coming out in a little bit (couple of months I think?) Bleh what should I do? Hmmmmm

if you just want a cheap motherboard, get a ECS KS75A/CPU bundle at fry's for $59, then sell the chip. you will have a motherboard for about $20-$30. yeah, that board can suck ass, but it will get you where you are going.

 

[pspada]

True, a K7S5A Pro will get you by until the new chips/mobos are available. I'll buy the chip off of you cheap.....:gift:

 

[SpyderX]

So you think I should just get a *replacement* board and chip UNTIL the new series and everything come out? BTW, if anyone is interested, I'm selling the board and 1.4GHz for $45-50 PLUS shipping... that is if I don't need the processor... BTW, I'm in NY so there's no Fry's around me =(

Hmmm i don't know what to do...

My original plan was to just upgrade to 8RDA+, Barton 2500+ and PC3200 (Corsair XMS) 512DDRRAM (because it wouldnt run with my PC2100 Crucial 256...

Now i'm just confused...
What are my options? I am on a really tight budget and if possible, maybe just getting something temporary until the new stuff comes out would be nice...

 

[SpideyCU]

Originally posted by: SpyderX
My original plan was to just upgrade to 8RDA+, Barton 2500+ and PC3200 (Corsair XMS) 512DDRRAM (because it wouldnt run with my PC2100 Crucial 256...

Why wouldn't it run with the Crucial? 8RDA+ shouldn't have any issues with that. And if anyone tells you this board hates Crucial memory, that was a big batch of 512 MB PC2700 RAM (board had the same problem with Kingston's ValueRAM PC2700), but the rest of it runs fine.

 

[KF]

Don't get too worked up about not being able to convert to an Athlon64. If the past is any indication of how this will go, it will be 6 months (following September) before the price gets reasonable, assuming everthing goes just peachy. But it remains to be seen whether the SOI process can really produce cheap CPUs for the mass market.. There is a reason why this has not been done before. Meanwhile AMD is going to have to have something to sell to the masses : XPs.

Athlon64s will probably need the new version of Window to perform to its potential, and initially (if ever) there is not going to be a lot of 64 bit style programs. Why are manufacturers going to produce programs that WILL NOT RUN on Intel CPUs?

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: SpyderX
Not even a bios flash can do anything? Bleh, now I'm stuck whether to go on with this half-dead motherboard, but then my ROMs won't be working or if I should just go for the 8RDA+ or what...
Ahhh this is tough...

With this motherboard my IDE is like dead and my Roms aren't working. If I get the 8RDA+ then I won't be able to use the Hammer series in the future? But it's coming out in a little bit (couple of months I think?) Bleh what should I do? Hmmmmm

Nope. Different pin configuration means that if you'd try to mash a 64-bit CPU into the socket, you'd wind up with a lot of bent pins, and it still wouldn't fit. Maybe you could cut off a few pins, and force it to fit, but then you'd get to see smoke come from the computer.