I need all the help I can get

[alco]

I'm upgrading my computer, but decided that I will keep my motherboard. Now I want to replace an old P3 667 with an Athlon XP 2400. But... I know so, so little about motherboards.

All I know about the motherboard is that it's an AOpen AX34, 'VIA 694X Chipset 133 MHz FSB Clock.'

And the Athlon is at 266MHz FSB. So I'm guessing it's not compatible? Is there a way?

Help!

 

[mechBgon]

You'll need a new motherboard to do this project, if you want to use an AthlonXP 2400+, because they use different everything. My advice would be to replace the motherboard, the memory and the power supply all at once.

If you do want to re-use your motherboard, you can run up to a Pentium3 1000EB in it, it looks like (AOpen CPU-support chart).

What will you be using this system for, and what operating system will it be running?

 

[alco]

I'm trying to build a gaming rig. With Windows 2000 on it.

Aaargh, replacing the motherboard would start so many new problems. So there is NO form of any possibility, at all, to use that processor with this mb?

 

[mechBgon]

I try to keep an open mind, but since the CPU has 92 more pins than your socket has holes for, uses EV6 bus instead of GTL+, and runs on different voltages at way different speeds... uhhh, not likely

If you want some suggested mobo/CPU/power/memory combos, tell us what your budget is, and we'll cook some up.

 

[alco]

oh bollocks...

How do you find out what Power Supply you need? Let's say on an Athlon XP 2400, Asus A7V8X-X, with 512 DDR. I assume my current one would be much out of date.

And does the sound card also need to be compatible, or can I just buy any piece of shit?

 

[mechBgon]

If you don't anticipate upgrading past the 2400+, then consider the affordable A7N266-VM/AA, based on nForce classic. These are wonderfully suited to Win2000 (I have 24 of them at work). They have a top-of-the-range audio processor onboard, with not only six-channel analogue output, but also full-blown Dolby AC3 digital output via both optical (laser) and coaxial output jacks. They support 266MHz-based CPUs such as the 2400+, and they have onboard video plus an AGP slot to upgrade with. I use one of these at home and while it's not cutting-edge, it's not all that bad either.

If you do want to go closer to cutting-edge, the EPoX 8RGA+ may be worth a look. It has the newer nForce2 chipset, and will handle the 333MHz-based CPUs as well as 266MHz-based. It features onboard GeForce4MX-level video with TWO VGA-out ports (dual monitor-ready), the same audio processor except no digital-out jacks, and has higher performance in general. And of course it has an AGP slot to provide an upgrade path. I keep considering one of these, since its onboard video has more performance than my old add-in AGP card does :Q

As far as power supply, quality first, wattage second. I suggest the Antec TruePower 330, which has high quality, very tight regulation, and some other specialness inside (independent regulators for all lines, making it very strong for its 330W rating because it can deliver full load on both 3.3V and 5V lines at once). They are also known for running very quietly by design, although they do get rather warm as a result of their low-rpm quiet fans. They're fitted with two dual-ball-bearing fans, one 80mm at the rear and one 92mm on the underside.

The s-word is usually filtered around here, so take note that they try to keep this Forum very child-safe, if you know what I mean Anyway, I hope that info helps you make a decision on your upgrade!

 

[alco]

Thanks. Guess I'll go with the A7N266, since it has a sound card onboard, and I don't want integrated graphics so I can put in a beautiful Radeon 9700 PRO. And also, because I'm cheap.

 

[mechBgon]

That sounds like a good plan. The smart money is on an upper-end video card if you're building a gamer Don't be put off by the fact that the A7N266-VM/AA is a microATX board, they fit in all normal ATX cases I've worked with. Just check the locations of the mobo studs and put them in the appropriate holes if they don't match up to the mobo's hole pattern.