Mobo/CPU recommendation - Good performance @ low cost?

[Mac]

I am upgrading/replacing my wife's computer. After "upgrading" from Win98 to WinXP, the current 3 year old Via KT266a based system with a XP1600 cpu isn't stable anymore and needs to be reloaded from scratch. If I'm going to go to that trouble, it makes sense to upgrade the CPU and mobo for a performance improvement. I don't have time anymore to stay current on best values so looking for recommendations.

The most intensive task she performs is manipulating large graphics that she has captured from a scanner and photographs. She is an artist, primarily watercolor and pen & ink. After capturing the work, she then creates and prints finished products, such as posters, copies of drawings, custom artwork/graphics, stationary, etc.

What I'm getting around to is that the machine is not intended for gaming and overclocking is not important. Just good solid stable performance. Peripherals include dual monitor (two Radeon video cards), SCSI scanner, PDA, USB mouse, CD burner, DVD ROM, etc.

Due to price/performance ratios, I am thinking about going with an Athlon 64 2800 or 3000 in 754 socket. Two low cost mobos that have caught my attention are the MSI K8T Neo-FSR and the ECS 755-A2. Outpost is currently offering the ECS board with a retail 3000 for $200 which seems like a good deal.

Regarding memory, I am planning on purchasing one or two 512MB sticks of inexpensive 400 DDR RAM, probably Kingston Value Ram or equivalent. I have plenty of hard disk and even spare Audigy card but probably use the onboard sound if it is OK.

I really need some advice on what is the best for the intended use, especially if the machine is not intended for gaming.

 

[VideoQuasar]

http://www.newegg.com/app/view...tion=19-116-171&DEPA=0

http://www17.tomshardware.com/...221/cpu_charts-23.html

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...tion=13-170-136&depa=0


Something to think about, that's a nice chart at Tom's Hardware.....hope that helps.

 

[Hajime]

-stares at VideoQuasar's post-

I hope that's a troll. I honestly do.

$200 for a retail 3000+ with a decent mobo's not a half bad deal, Mac. You may want to check out the 'Egg, however - you can probably pick up the Chaintech VNF3-250 and a retail AMD CPU for a little bit more. The VNF3 is pretty well known as an excellent overclocker, which tends to translate into good stock stability and reliability if it isn't overclocked. It will also probably run circles around VQ's proposed system, at a lower price point.

Translation: Current deal, great. If that's all you want, go for it!
If you want more features and/or overclocking capability, try the VNF3 + A64 out. You can probably pick up a VNF3 + A64 2800+ for the same pricepoint, and a A64 3000+ for, shoot, $20 more or so?

 

[Mac]

VideoQuasar,

I appreciate you taking the time to respond but I am confused over the message. I went to the two NewEgg links and found a Intel P4 3.0E retail CPU for $181 and an Albatron mobo for $99 delivered. I'm not hung up on Intel or AMD but doing the math that comes out to $280. Although price is not a deciding factor, that's 40% more than the $200 AMD solution at Outpost. Does this combination offer that much more performance?

Re the links from Tom's hardware, a lot of charts. Are you putting forward proof that the P4 3.0E is a superior CPU?

Is this simply an Intel option vs AMD option post?

 

[Peter]

The ECS board is a solid performer, compatible and fast. I own one myself.

 

[Mac]

Hajime,
Thanks for the advice. I went with the Chaintech and the Athlon 64 2800 as you suggested. It was $203 delivered which was actually a few bucks less after S&H was added into the Outpost deal. I don't think there will be that much noticeable difference between the 3000 and 2800 in actual use so it really came down to the mobo.

No disrespect to ECS, but feel a little more secure with the nForce3 chipset vs the SIS. Primarily with future bios support and also the Chaintech board seems to be memory friendly, too.