I think I made a mistake...now with a rant

[whattaguy]

My current system...

Asus P4T533-C Mobo
P4 2.4B @ 2.66
1 gig Samsung RDRAM (PC800)
ATI 9800Pro (XT core)

(these are the important parts)
This system has been stable for the last 2 years...only crashed a couple times, mostly due to hardware change. All those things were solved easily.

The system that I jumped the gun on.

Option 1:
DFI Lan Party UT NF3 Mobo
AMD 64 3000+ proc
1 gig Patriot DDR memory (CAS 2-3-2-5)

(spent about $500 on those 3 parts)

Option 2:
Now, I'm thinking that the "wiser" move would've been to just upgrade to a P4 3.06B (Northwood) chip on my current system. That would save me time and energy from E-baying all that other stuff.

I record music, game, and do office and web stuff pretty evenly.

From info I got yesterday, I went from my current system to Option 1 (obvious performance gain), but didn't think of Option 2 (which is a minimal performance gain from Option 1).

Suggestions? How would my money be wisely spent?
Return Option 1 for Option 2?
Or keep Option 1 and piece out my current stuff on Ebay?

Thanks for all your help!

 

[tfinch2]

keep option 1 and ebay the other stuff. you can probably make atleast half of the 500 back...

 

[Budmantom]

I always jump the gun


Tom

 

[James3shin]

keep your a64 rig, its a nice one btw, ebay your original system but keep the 98xt so you don't have to get another g. card.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

If you return the A64 stuff and it isn't defective I think you'll end up paying not just for return shipping but likely a 15% restocking fee as well. You might be able to get it waved but if not keep it and fleabay.

 

[whattaguy]

I got it all at a local Fry's...if that changes anything. All unopened.

 

[JSmile]

personally, i would return the A64 rig. you have a decent computer

 

[effee]

Why'd you upgrade, I dont see the need to with your old system, could have lasted you at least another year

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: whattaguy
I got it all at a local Fry's...if that changes anything. All unopened.

that changes my previous statement...return it.

 

[zodder]

I honestly think you'd see more of a performance difference with option 1. You'll have a fast processor, the fastest motherboard for that processor, faster memory and you'll be 64 bit ready. Sell the Intel rig parts in the For Sale forum. People are always looking for these things and they sell quickly.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

"Return Option 1 for Option 2?" this isn't worth the money for a minimal performance gain

stick with option 1

 

[whattaguy]

Right now I'm leaning towards returning the stuff, and possibly maxing out my existing system with the processor upgrade. Mainly because I don't have tons of time to build and get "familiar" with my new system.
Is there going to be a huge performance gain in the AMD64 3000+ over my 2.4? Or even the 3.06?

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: whattaguy
Right now I'm leaning towards returning the stuff, and possibly maxing out my existing system with the processor upgrade. Mainly because I don't have tons of time to build and get "familiar" with my new system.
Is there going to be a huge performance gain in the AMD64 3000+ over my 2.4? Or even the 3.06?

Yes, check the benchmarks out for yourself on anand's site.

 

[whattaguy]

Originally posted by: Markfw900

Originally posted by: whattaguy
Right now I'm leaning towards returning the stuff, and possibly maxing out my existing system with the processor upgrade. Mainly because I don't have tons of time to build and get "familiar" with my new system.
Is there going to be a huge performance gain in the AMD64 3000+ over my 2.4? Or even the 3.06?

Yes, check the benchmarks out for yourself on anand's site.

Well, I know that there's a definite increase b/t the 2.4 and AMD64 3000+, but b/t the 3.0 and the AMD64 3000+, the difference was much smaller. I saw that in most games, the 64 was better, but in a few games and most other applications, the 3.0 was not that far behind. Am I missing something?

 

[flexy]

option 1 for $500 is a NICE deal...nice system and very little money spenr

 

[GrumpyMan]

I have a similar system with a 3.06 in it, but mine has PC 1066 ram in it and is overclocked, which still hangs with all games and apps today with no problem. Why did you put PC 800 on that rig? Mine still smokes and will last me another year. I'm waiting for all the new goodies to come out before I upgrade again. This time I will go the AMD route for sure though on the upgrade.

 

[whattaguy]

Originally posted by: GrumpyMan
I have a similar system with a 3.06 in it, but mine has PC 1066 ram in it and is overclocked, which still hangs with all games and apps today with no problem. Why did you put PC 800 on that rig? Mine still smokes and will last me another year. I'm waiting for all the new goodies to come out before I upgrade again. This time I will go the AMD route for sure though on the upgrade.

Because PC 1066 was way too expensive for me, and I already had 512of the PC800.

Thanks...I might actually save my money up for another year or so.

 

[Zebo]

I'll buy all that AMD package from you right now about retail shipped as long as you have AX core/ My heat is carbonyl perfect. LMK

 

[whattaguy]

Originally posted by: Zebo
I'll buy all that stuff from you right now about retail shipped as long as you have AX core/ My heat is carbonyl perfect. LMK

Excuse me for my ignorance, but what's the "AX core"? And which "stuff" are you talking about?

 

[Zebo]

I edited for clarity... AMD stuff you just ordered. AX is the last two letters of the chips product code. AX = mad overclcokers.

 

[whattaguy]

Originally posted by: Zebo
I edited for clarity... AMD stuff you just ordered. AX is the last two letters of the chips product code. AX = mad overclcokers.

Well, I'll be darned...it does have the "AX" core.

 

[Zebo]

Sweet. Well PM me or whatever you want to do. Newegg will charge 15% restock plus you gots to pay shipping! I'm sure we can make a better deal

 

[XBoxLPU]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Sweet. Well PM me or whatever you want to do. Newegg will charge 15% restock plus you gots to pay shipping! I'm sure we can make a better deal

I got it all at a local Fry's...if that changes anything. All unopened.

 

[Zebo]

Then return that bad assed setup for free I think

Note to self: read thread entirely even when seeing a HOT DEAL

 

[whattaguy]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Sweet. Well PM me or whatever you want to do. Newegg will charge 15% restock plus you gots to pay shipping! I'm sure we can make a better deal

Well, I picked this up at my local Fry's. I just looked over the receipt again, and I might just return the whole thing cause they just pissed me off!

Sorry for the rant...I went to get this system with some PQI Turbo memory that showed in stock on the computer, but it wasn't. So, the cashier and the stock guy said that they'll match the price of the "out of stock" memory for the next upgrade (the Patriot 3200). They just told me to go back to the guy who wrote me up and tell him what they told me. This guy gives me a look that I'm crazy and said that the cashier was mistaken.
After the argument, I just told him to give me the Patriot stuff. I returned to pay (different cashier) and told him about the misunderstanding. He was kind and didn't let me pay the full price without straightening it out with the supervisor. About an hour passed with this whole ordeal, and I was starting to feel bad that I could get someone fired for a little misunderstanding. Anyway, the supervisor said they would honor their mistake, and he told the sales guy to write me up another ticket. So I paid and drove home feeling like a cheapskate because of the big commotion.
Well, I decide to look at my receipt tonight and find an install charge for $25!!! Now I'm just pissed and might go back and return all this crap because of it.

...but I'll PM you, Zebo, if I do otherwise. Thanks for your offer.