Motherboard/Memory Upgrade Question

[Dabappa]

I am currently running an Athlon XP 2600+ Mobile (Barton) at 15 x 133 MHz = 2 GHz on an ECS K7S5A motherboard with 512 MB of RAM (2 x 512 MB of Crucial PC2100).

I am planning on upgrading the motherboard and memory to Shuttle AN35N Ultra with 1 GB of RAM (2 x 512 MB of Mushkin PC3200), and hope to run at 12.5 x 200 MHz = 2.5 GHz.

Will I see a real boost in performance? I don't really want to spend the money if there will not be any "wow" factor. I am a casual gamer, but plan running on HL2, FarCry, COD, & Stalker (if it ever comes out).

Graphics card is a Radeon 9600XT, and I am perfectly happy with decent frame rates at 1024 x 768 with medium detail for most games.

The reason for the partial upgrade is that I want to use the cheap motherboard and slower memory in a second box for the kids.


Thanks,

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

Should see an average difference as you are increasing the speed by 1/5. It wont be increadible but will most likely be noticeable since 1024x768 is a more CPU bottlenecket resolution

 

[howdyduty]

If your upgrading to a AMD XP cpu, which is what I think that motherboard takes, you will unlikely get to 2.5ghz unless you have some special setup. 2.2ghz is more likely.

 

[Darth Farter]

133 fsb to 200fsb(+) will give a lot more responsiveness&power to your whole system.
put in e few bucks extra for a really good aftermarket cpu-HSF and thermal paste (arctic silver5)for that mobile and you'll be able to get it up to 2.7Ghz on air. (if you're lucky and you'd probably have to overvolt a little above 1.65V)

also computerman isn't completely right (with the 1/5) as bandwith also becomes more then 3 times as much for your processor from the 2.1 to 6.4Gb/s combined with an internal speed increase of 20%(1/5).

btw seems there are better boards around...
http://www.hexus.net/content/r...01NjYmdXJsX3BhZ2U9MQ==
for overclocking's sake the dfi/asus/abit/epox/ nforce2 ultra 400 boards will serve you better

 

[Machine350]

Honestly, I don't think you'll really notice much of an increase. I think it will mostly in your head if you do. If your looking for a "wow" factor, I think you'll be disappointed. Sure, it will be slightly faster, but no "wow." You'll probably notice the most increase because of the added 512 mb of ram, you'll notice it won't take quite as long for levels to load in games, and things will seem to run a little smoother.