Need help on new system

[Theophilus]

I want to upgrade a PII-350 to something like an 900Mhz, but have limited funds.

Was thinking:

1. Duron 700mhz and OC to around 900mhz with an Abit KT7 Raid.
2. 128 Crucial PC-133 when a good deal comes around (or if you know of one now)
3. Got my 40GB Maxtor ATA100 7200rpm

Any help is very much appreciated.

 

[Theophilus]

sorry about the extra threads, my network's not working so well.

 

[Ulysses]

Just for comparison, check out what I did. I'm not saying this is the way you should go, but it is just some food for thought. Maybe skip the GlobalWIN FOP32-1 and use RAM that is appropriatet to your apps.

1. The Duron or T-bird is a better buy than a P3 if you don't have to get a new mobo or RAM or PS.

2. RAM is pretty cheap right now - that's what initiated my upgrading my system.

3. Your HDD is just great.

Go for it - you'll not believe the change when you get close to 1 GHz - but consider broadband internet access or dual monitors and other extras. Depending on what you use your PC for, things like that can makee a greater difference than the CPU speed alone. And get more RAM than 128 MB.

 

[Theophilus]

Thanks Ulysses for the advice. I recently got a 10x DVD player, but the movie stopped several times before it was over. I found out that my PII-350 was the culprit. So, i tried to OC it to something like 500mhz, but because i have the SE440BX-2 from Intel, any modifying would have to be done in the Bios. Well, the bios won't let me do anything because i have the 5th version. So, i went to Intel site and downloaded the 17th version and tried to upgrade the bios, but no luck and can't figure out why either. That is the reason why i want to upgrade. So, i figured that a Duron (for clockability) and an Abit MB because it seems like everyone OC's their computers with this combo. I will need suggestions for:

1. fan
2. case (not a full tower - too big)
3. Duron 600,650, or 700?
4. Good MB that is simple to OC

All suggestings are appreciated.

 

[paulip88]

Fan: for a cost effective fan, get one of the Taisols. I'm sure someone can fill you in with the model number, since I don't know. I'm an Alpha man

Case: The Fong Kai FK-302 is excellent, but prolly too big and expensive for you, no real suggestion here. Sorry.

Chip: Get the Duron 650. I would say 600, but the 650 is the same price, so might as well get the faster one.

Motherboard: MSI K7T Pro2 or Pro2A. Cost effective, and has all the OC functions in the BIOS, which should translate into easier OCing.

Good luck!

 

[Theophilus]

Thanks paulip88 for replying. I live in Rome and got someone coming the 18th of Dec. Want to get all the stuff and have them bring them over; so i am in a crunch for time.

After reading your suggestions, this is what i am thinking:

1. for sure i want the MSI K7T Pro2a
2. cost between Duron 600,650,700 isn't much so the price is not the problem. I just want one that will OC the best for me. I noticed that you have your 600 at 850 (not bad, but i want more - and this is where the fan and Mobo comes in)
3. I was thinking of the Alpha 6035, but have two ?'s for it. How much is it? and will it fit on the mobo?
4. I thought about the Fong Kai FK-302, but how about the Enlight 7327?
5. lastly, does it matter what kind of Ram to get?

Thanks for all your help. This forum rocks!

 

[paulip88]

The reason why I have my Duron running at *only* 858 is because this is a real early one. I have a week 24. These are generally poor OC chips. You may want to message compuwiz1 to ask where he got his last batch of Duron 600s. He said that a bunch of them hit 1GHz.

Like I just mentioned, mine is "slow" because it was an early production one. Ideally, you would want one that was made after week 30. Those OC better. For more details, go to www.ocworkbench.com.

About the Alpha HSF, you probably want something else. Here is a short list of HSFs that you'd want to consider.
Alpha PAL6035
Taisols
GlobalWin FOP32/38
Hedgehog
Look at the Socket A Cooler Roundup for details.

Er... I meant the FK-320. The Enlight seems fine. I just got the FK because someone told me it was quiet. Mine definitely isn't quiet, but that's because of the 120mm 1301cfm fan that I have. Sounds like a jet.

As for RAM, any PC133 should do. Just make sure that it isn't too generic. Crucial stuff is decent and cheap. You may want to check that out. They sell direct.

 

[SoulSeeker]

I'm actually upgrading from a P350 aswell....but my question is which heatsink to get for a KT7-Raid with an Athlon 900 as i know there is a problem with space around that cpu socket.

 

[Theophilus]

I will go with the Taisol CGK742092, but don't know where i can purchase one. Looked all over!:| If anyone knows of a place, please e-mail me at: qnguyen@nac.it

 

[etech]

Tai Sol is one place to find it.

edit, just noticed that you live in Rome so my link may not do you much good. You might send them an e-mail and ask about distributors in Europe.

 

[Theophilus]

That Taisol is $33.60! It's a little expensive isn't it? I may have to go with the Globalwin FOP-32-1 if this one is cheaper.

 

[Ulysses]

I just got a GlobalWIN FOP32-1 at CompuCheap for $20 + S&H. I works with either a P3 flip-chip or T-bird/Duron. I'm sure you've seen this by now.

P.S.
Sorry. CompuCheap doesn't ship outside U.S. or Canada. :disgust:

But 2CoolTek does!