IT-Hardware types...I need your input.

[sonnyducks]

First things first...with the exception of the occational Madden 2002 game and the even rarer AOE2 online battle with my buddies I do very little gaming so keep that in mind if you respond. I mainly use my computer for development (VB/ASP/SQL Server). I'm currently running Windows XP Pro on a PII 400 w/ 128MB (I've had this setup for about 3 years).

I would like to upgrade my motherboard/CPU/memory. My #1 priority is stablity and compatablity. I DO NOT overclock my system. Here are my questions and concerns:

1) The Athlon XP platform...would it make for a good "business" workstation. It seems to be a good performer for games and the price is very attractive v. P4 but I'm concerned about stablity and compatablity and it seems the Athlon supported chipsets are not a solid as the Intel ones. Can any IT-types speak on this for me?

2) I keep hearing about how solid the i845 is, which I like...my concern is that it uses PC133 memory. Should I be concerned about this? Does the memory type make that big of a difference on SQL Server and IIS as it does on Quake. I can see the benifit for faster memory on graphics intensive programs but what about business apps. How big of a performance difference would I see between Rambus, DDR and PC133 on business applications?

3) Cases....I probably should get a new one. My current one "collects" dust inside. It got so bad that the dust collected in the fan of my GeForce (1) card and overheated the card, thus ruining it. What can I do to blow dust out of the system (besides taking the cover off and using canned air)?

 

[AMDPwred]

I don't see you having a problem with Athlon chips with development work. I do the same (Java, C++) on my PC and everything is fast and stable. You should buy Athlon and spend the extra cash you save on DDR (Crucial.com) and a nice motherboard (Shuttle AK31A, Epox, ASUS). As for a case, I have an AntecSX1030. Great case, high price at $100 but it has 4 spaces for 80mm fans (comes with two). That would give you some nice air movement. You really can't do much about dust, just give the old thing a cleaning every now and again. Hope this helps, if you have anymore questions feel free to ask. By the way, welcome to AT!

 

[sonnyducks]

Thanks...I was looking at Antech cases at Fry's (Dallas) last night...they seem very good. Although they only had a 800 series.

Another question has presented itself. Do I need a new case/powersupply for the Athlon XP? I noticed several cases were marked AMD approved.

 

[AMDPwred]

I would recommend it seeing as you probably have a 200-250watt PS now with your P2 400. My advice would be to spend a little more and pick up the Antec SX1040 which is the same one as I have but it comes with a 400 watt PS instead of 300. This way you will have enough power for many different components and 400 watts should last you a long time. I'll need to upgrade my 300 watt to 400 in the next year or so.