Need a cheap upgrade from Tualy platform

[techwanabe]

I've been using my 1.0A Celeron Tualatin for about a year now but am interested in a low cost upgrade to improve gaming performance. I'd like to keep costs at a minimum so keep that in mind. Obviously I'm at the limit of my current platform so it will be time for a new P4 based or Athlon XP based motherboard with DDR memory, and a new video card. (I'll worry about the case/PS myself).

Since I haven't kept up on the finer points of processors and motherboards for a while, I'm looking for some recommendations. Keep in mind I last up graded using a Tualatin, which nearly doubled my processer speed for a total of $130 (CPU and new mobo). Obviously this time it will cost more, but I'm still interested in keeping costs down. I'd even consider a P4 based Celeron, but I'm getting the impression that isn't a good gamers CPU. Would I notice a significan performance boost over my Tualy at 1.33 ghz? Considering my Radeon LE 32DDR video card, perhaps some low cost upgrade suggestions there too. Thanks!

 

[Chumpman]

Hmm, if I was in your position, I think I'd grab an nForce 2 motherboard (read Soltek or Abit), then grab a 1700+, along with an AX7 heatsink. Then get maybe a 4600 for about 110 off the FS/FT forum and after overclocking the 1700, you've got a helluva setup for about 250 bucks.

 

[paladiin]

If keeping costs at a minimum is important, an Athlon XP is the way to go. Much better bang for your buck, especially if you are overclocking.

The 1700+ CPU is the king of the low price overclockers currently. People are getting some amazing boosts with this processor. Pair this up with an nForce 2 motherboard (the Epox 8RDA+ was the cheapest highly reviewed board I could find when I built my system a few weeks ago) and some DDR RAM and you'll be looking good.

If your budget allows and you want the larger cache CPU, the Barton 2500+ for under $100 is the perfect choice (it's what I went with) - another beautiful overclocker.

Wish I could recommend some good budget RAM for you - I had only one RAM in mind from the beginning - Corsair XMS3200 - which is anything but cheap.

 

[techwanabe]

Thanks guys... those look like some good suggestions. I figured Athlon XP might be the low cost upgrade to my Tualy system. The GF4 looks like the king of low cost video right now. It never made sense to to spend $200 or more on a video card... seems like you can do well enough for closer to $100.

 

[Corporate Thug]

8rda+: $83 @ newegg
1700+ B core: $46 @ gameve
gainward 128 ti4200: 119 @ gameve
buffalo pc3200: $86 @ newegg

 

[techwanabe]

What are the typical overclocking results for the Athlon 1700+ ??

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: techwanabe
What are the typical overclocking results for the Athlon 1700+ ??

They run at 11x133 normally, and since the nForce2 boards have AGP/PCI lock, you don't have to jump to a set point to get the multipliers right. 11x166 seems to be quite doable, and with a high-rated board (the Epox 8RDA+ is spoken well of) 11x200 is attainable.

- M4H