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Help with System Upgrade

I

imported_Shinigami

Junior Member
I'm trying to upgrade my system. However, since my current system isn't THAT bad, I feel I need to get a fairly modern system to justify the upgrade. My current system has 1.8Ghz Pentium with 1 Gig of ram. However, the processor is an outdated chipset (the pre-478 one that Intel quickly abandoned), the MB uses SDRAM, and the MB can't handle newer AGP video cards.

Here is the components I THINK I want to get.

ABIT NI8-SLI GR ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Pentium 4 630 Prescott 800MHz FSB 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 EM64T Processor

ATRIX 4in1 Combo CSCI-C8001-C43 Black/Silver Computer Case

As for memory, I'll just find what's a good bargain that'll fit in the MB I get.

I'm pretty sure that the processor and case I picked are what I want. However, i'm not sure at all about the motherboard. I'm not sure what MB on Newegg will work with the above processor. Frankly, it's not well marked. I only found the above one by searching for EM64T, which had 6 results. Is there a better motherboard for what I want. I'm looking at the $100-200 range, AGP, Max 4 Gig of ram or more, ATX form factor. Now that I think of it, I don't think the MB above even has AGP, just PCI Express.

I'm also wondering about 64 bit technology. I don't plan on getting 64-bit Windows XP, at least not yet. Is getting a processor like this a good move? What kind of expansion capabilities will I have? What kind of problems with the software I currently have will I run into.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 
Hmm. looks like you have been out of the game for a while. check out anandtech's site for all around information about todays technology.

1) AGP is Dead/Dying. PCI Express is king now.
2) AMD now makes better desktop processors.
 
That doesn't help very much at all. For one, I already have an AGP card that will last me for at least another year or two. I'm not buying a $300 card at this point just so I can use PCI-Express. I'm more interested in expandability, my current system has peaked.

Secondly, at the same price of the Intel processor above, the best AMD processor I could get is a 1.8Ghz. Frankly, I'm not convinced that the difference in performance between current AMD and Intel architechtures is that substantially great. I've read some of the material supporting AMD and they seem more like elitist fanboy ranting than anything else.

However, you are correct that I've been "out of it". I'm not a "modder". I don't build systems for bragging rights, I don't post my benchmarks on forums or buy lighted cases. I just want a stable system with decent power, expandability, and do it at a reasonable price. In conclusion, could I please get some advice other than "read xxx website's reviews and editorials".
 
you can stay with AGP, but your choices for upgrading in the future will be heavily cut down.

Go with Intel if you like, if thats what you want to hear.

The benefits of XP-64 have not surfaced yet, so no need to jump into that right away.

Hopefully you should get a power supply from a name brand company, if you want your computer to last.
 
the athlon 64 3000+ (1.8ghz) will be cooler, less power consuming, and perform better in almost any application than the P4 630. also, the 3200+ (2.0ghz) is about the same price as the 630. people say good things about amd today because it actually IS better than intel now. no question.
 
Get the ASROCK Dual Uli board for $65, it has AGP and PCI-Express plus a space for socket M2?

I also recommend AMD, Intel usually costs more, performs less and puts out alot more heat.

Last I checked you could get both the mobo and a Dual core 3800 for $370-$390 from Mwave, and it might be cheaper now.



 
u claim ur reason for sticking with agp is because your video card will last 1 or 2 more years. this being the case, u most likely game because you've already invested in an expensive agp card. go with the ASRock as the previous user has stated and you will not only get a pretty good mobo, you'll get one that allows for you to keep your card and upgrade later.

another reason is that it's an amd motherboard. if you game, amd is better, hands down. it is also cheaper. there's no doubt intel is awesome and it really doesn't matter much if it runs hotter if you won't be OCing, but the fact is, you're on a budget, u said it yourself. intel is a lot more costly for the same performance. and since your budget is $100-200 for the mobo, your getting a mobo at $65 will save you $85 (assuming your mobo was going to be $150) so that's $65 more toward a cpu. you can now easily afford the 3200+ and possibly get in range for the 3700+
 
Originally posted by: theman
the athlon 64 3000+ (1.8ghz) will be cooler, less power consuming, and perform better in almost any application than the P4 630. also, the 3200+ (2.0ghz) is about the same price as the 630. people say good things about amd today because it actually IS better than intel now. no question.
Click to expand...

This is what I'm wondering. The 630 I'm looking at is 3.0GHz system. The AMD 3200 is 2.0 Ghz. I understand that Intel and AMD are measured differently, but I need to see benchmarks to believe that the 3200 really performs better. I simply can't rely on biased internet opinion alone. If you have some reputable links I'd be more than happy to check them out.

EDIT:
I've found a good ZDNet benchmark. As far as performance, it's doesn't seems as clearcut as people make it out to be. However, I'm really liking the ASRock MB so I think I'll go with it.
 
Originally posted by: Shinigami
Originally posted by: theman
the athlon 64 3000+ (1.8ghz) will be cooler, less power consuming, and perform better in almost any application than the P4 630. also, the 3200+ (2.0ghz) is about the same price as the 630. people say good things about amd today because it actually IS better than intel now. no question.
Click to expand...

This is what I'm wondering. The 630 I'm looking at is 3.0GHz system. The AMD 3200 is 2.0 Ghz. I understand that Intel and AMD are measured differently, but I need to see benchmarks to believe that the 3200 really performs better. I simply can't rely on biased internet opinion alone. If you have some reputable links I'd be more than happy to check them out.
Click to expand...

You've really been under a rock for a while if you're still blindly buying into the whole "higher Mhz equals higher performance" thing.

very extensive CPU benches

For gaming, the Athlon64 is a much better choice. The 630 is sometimes close to a 3000+/3200+, but then sometimes drops off significantly. Unless you're sitting there encoding video all day, it's just not that great a CPU choice.
 
I understand that Intel and AMD are measured differently, but I need to see benchmarks to believe that the 3200 really performs better.
Click to expand...

I'm not blindly buying into anything. That's why I wanted to see benchmarks. And please note that I've posted on a few forums already and you're the first person to actually post benchmarks. Thanks, because that's all I really wanted. My whole point is that I don't (and shouldn't) believe what people on the internet say just because they say it.
 
You could actually get a 3000 venice and just overclock to 3500 speeds if you were looking to save more.

BTW: I have the ASROCK board and love it, it allowed me to bring my 6800gt over until I was ready to upgrade to a 7800gt pci-ex.


There is a review on Anandtech for the mobo as well and it shows it as one of the best AGP and PCI-Ex performers.

So going with the board you lose nothing really.
 
Originally posted by: Shinigami
I understand that Intel and AMD are measured differently, but I need to see benchmarks to believe that the 3200 really performs better.
Click to expand...

I'm not blindly buying into anything. That's why I wanted to see benchmarks. And please note that I've posted on a few forums already and you're the first person to actually post benchmarks. Thanks, because that's all I really wanted. My whole point is that I don't (and shouldn't) believe what people on the internet say just because they say it.
Click to expand...

Then why believe benchmarks? Because it's a chart on the internet, instead of a post?

I understand wanting to see benchmarks, but you didn't ask for them right off the bat - maybe that's why noone posted them. You also specifically said you don't want "read xxx website's reviews and editorials" which is usually where benchmarks are found.

The above posters all tried to offer meaningful suggestions, and you're choosing to ignore them. The first respondent to your post said AGP is dead and you replied you're not moving to PCIe for no reason. Well, you also say you want expandability in the years to come. The last gasps of AGP video cards are out now... there are no AGP versions of the top-o-the-line nVidia offerings, and it's a trend that will accelerate as time goes on. The asRock board got a glowing review on this site - and between the review, flexibility and it's price I'd be inclined to go for it too.

Your posts are boggling me a little... I understand doing your homework on purchases, but coming here and asking people's opinions only to dismiss them seems more like trolling than homework. You're asking for opinions, then saying "I simply can't rely on biased internet opinion alone."

As for asking for "reputable links" then finding a "good" ZDnet benchmark, I think you need clearer definition of a reputable link... ZDNet's not even close to reputable in my book... you might as well read Newegg's customer reviews and expect unbiased reporting.
 
Originally posted by: rivan
Originally posted by: Shinigami
I understand that Intel and AMD are measured differently, but I need to see benchmarks to believe that the 3200 really performs better.
Click to expand...

I'm not blindly buying into anything. That's why I wanted to see benchmarks. And please note that I've posted on a few forums already and you're the first person to actually post benchmarks. Thanks, because that's all I really wanted. My whole point is that I don't (and shouldn't) believe what people on the internet say just because they say it.
Click to expand...

Then why believe benchmarks? Because it's a chart on the internet, instead of a post?

I understand wanting to see benchmarks, but you didn't ask for them right off the bat - maybe that's why noone posted them. You also specifically said you don't want "read xxx website's reviews and editorials" which is usually where benchmarks are found.

The above posters all tried to offer meaningful suggestions, and you're choosing to ignore them. The first respondent to your post said AGP is dead and you replied you're not moving to PCIe for no reason. Well, you also say you want expandability in the years to come. The last gasps of AGP video cards are out now... there are no AGP versions of the top-o-the-line nVidia offerings, and it's a trend that will accelerate as time goes on. The asRock board got a glowing review on this site - and between the review, flexibility and it's price I'd be inclined to go for it too.

Your posts are boggling me a little... I understand doing your homework on purchases, but coming here and asking people's opinions only to dismiss them seems more like trolling than homework. You're asking for opinions, then saying "I simply can't rely on biased internet opinion alone."

As for asking for "reputable links" then finding a "good" ZDnet benchmark, I think you need clearer definition of a reputable link... ZDNet's not even close to reputable in my book... you might as well read Newegg's customer reviews and expect unbiased reporting.
Click to expand...


it's all good, reread his last couple of posts.
 
Originally posted by: rivan
Originally posted by: Shinigami
I understand that Intel and AMD are measured differently, but I need to see benchmarks to believe that the 3200 really performs better.
Click to expand...

I'm not blindly buying into anything. That's why I wanted to see benchmarks. And please note that I've posted on a few forums already and you're the first person to actually post benchmarks. Thanks, because that's all I really wanted. My whole point is that I don't (and shouldn't) believe what people on the internet say just because they say it.
Click to expand...

Then why believe benchmarks? Because it's a chart on the internet, instead of a post?

I understand wanting to see benchmarks, but you didn't ask for them right off the bat - maybe that's why noone posted them. You also specifically said you don't want "read xxx website's reviews and editorials" which is usually where benchmarks are found.

The above posters all tried to offer meaningful suggestions, and you're choosing to ignore them. The first respondent to your post said AGP is dead and you replied you're not moving to PCIe for no reason. Well, you also say you want expandability in the years to come. The last gasps of AGP video cards are out now... there are no AGP versions of the top-o-the-line nVidia offerings, and it's a trend that will accelerate as time goes on. The asRock board got a glowing review on this site - and between the review, flexibility and it's price I'd be inclined to go for it too.

Your posts are boggling me a little... I understand doing your homework on purchases, but coming here and asking people's opinions only to dismiss them seems more like trolling than homework. You're asking for opinions, then saying "I simply can't rely on biased internet opinion alone."

As for asking for "reputable links" then finding a "good" ZDnet benchmark, I think you need clearer definition of a reputable link... ZDNet's not even close to reputable in my book... you might as well read Newegg's customer reviews and expect unbiased reporting.
Click to expand...


no worries, its what you learn in the end, not how you got there
 
Originally posted by: Shinigami
Ok, I think I know what I want now. I decided to get the 3500 and overclock it in the future. Thanks for the input.
Click to expand...

the 3500+ wont overclock more than the the 3000+ or 3200+ so why not just get one of those and save the money. i would say go for the 3200+.
 
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