Need some advice, when should I upgrade?

[ahsia]

Here is my current setup:

ABIT NF7-S
Athlon XP 2100+
Buffalo 1GB PC3200

I am trying to limit my spending on computer parts this year, but I do want to get in on one of the P4 HT processors. I am keeping the rest of my parts (video card, CD-RW, etc., etc.) the same, just want to do a mobo/CPU upgrade.

I am looking at the ABIT AI7 and 2.8C right now, but wonder if I should wait a bit longer for prices to drop even more on the non-prescott P4s. I also want to do some overclocking as well. So my question to you is, when should I make my purchase, and what P4 should I buy to get the best bang for the buck in 2004?

 

[egale]

You really need to upgrade when there is something you can no longer do efficiently on your present machine. Other than that, there is never any reason to upgrade except to please yourself.

If you wait long enough, the prices will drop on the processor you are looking at now but then there will be a faster processor you have your eye on. It is a never ending battle.

So take inventory on how much you have to spend and what you can buy with it now. If you can't buy what you really want, wait a bit and see how prices go but don't be surprised if you no longer want the parts when they drop down into your current price range.

 

[Alexio]

Help me to understand, why do you want to upgrade? Frankly speaking, unless you're doing something very specific, your system looks just fine to me. Maybe you can upgrade the CPU to Athlon 2400+ and OC it to 3200, but even that won't give you any dramatic boost. Thus, unless you redy to go (and pay) for P4 EE, or Athlon 64, I don't see any obvious benefits of intermittent upgrade except pouring your money in economy (Malyasian, I presume)

 

[HardWarrior]

When you should upgrade is an easy question to answer. Upgrade when there's something you want to do with your current machine that you can't do to the degree you want.

 

[Yossarian]

upgrade early & often! don't listen to these other chumps, it's fun to have the fastest computer on the block

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: PipBoy
upgrade early & often! don't listen to these other chumps, it's fun to have the fastest computer on the block

Yup, but only if you're a chump who has money to wipe his butt with.

 

[ahsia]

Well, two reasons really:

1. I want Intel, HT

2. If and when I do this upgrade, I am hoping this system will last me a 12-18 months before I plop money for a brand new machine.

Currently, I do gaming (CS, MOH, etc.), it's running a lot of other programs but nothing extremely CPU intensive. I will eventually want a get a brand new machine with all the bells and whistle (building computer is still a great hobby for me), but right now, I have other things to focus on so I don't want to worry about it. I don't want to miss the boat on a best bang for the buck upgrade, especially since I have a 1GB of PC3200 memory, and don't want to spend additional money on newer, faster memory for newer mobos/CPU combination as the new CPUs are coming out.

So yeah, it's not really justified, because the Athlon will do everything I want it to do. But I really want Intel HT, and want to get something that'll last me for a good year and a half. Kinda get my drift....?

 

[Alexio]

But I really want Intel HT, and want to get something that'll last me for a good year and a half. Kinda get my drift....?

No, i don't. But regardless, the answer is simple. If you REALLY want something, just get it and please yourself! Why do you want somebody else's oppinion? For me, as I've mentioned, it's a total waste of perfectly good money cause it will give you only marginal performance increase. But I really don't want to critisize the "desire" part. That's already a subjective issue, and there are other forums out there for such topics.
Cheers!

 

[smittybg]

when your pc wont do what you want it to (ie play games ) then upgrade.
I have a Celeron 1.4 w/512 PC133 and GEforce 2 ultra and it is great for madden 04 , which is what i play

i have another system
P4 2.4 533FSB 768 DDR RAM and an ATI Radeon 9700PRO and for me its overkill but it was only $750 bucks so i dont complain

 

[ahsia]

Well, let me ask my question in a different way then. What processor do you think will be the best bang for the buck in the next couple of months? At what price point will the P4 2.8C or 3.0C bottom out?

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: ahsia
Well, let me ask my question in a different way then. What processor do you think will be the best bang for the buck in the next couple of months? At what price point will the P4 2.8C or 3.0C bottom out?

If you're impressed by the "bang for your buck" factor you should include AMD CPU's on your list.

 

[EeyoreX]

If you're impressed by the "bang for your buck" factor you should include AMD CPU's on your list.

I'm a little biased toward AMD, I'll admit, but in general if you want to talk "bang for buck" AMD should not just be "included" in the list, it is at the top of the list.

I agree with others that have said you should upgrade when your current PC can no longer do what you want/need it to do fast and efficiently anough for you. Unless you have money "to whip your butt with".

\Dan

 

[Bonesdad]

Why MUST you have Intel HT?? If there is no reason other than you want it, I have to ask: can I have some of your money?


You have a good mobo, good memory and a decent processor...if I were you I might consider upgrading the processor, but given the games/programs you listed, there is not much reason even for that...

 

[Maximilian]

Yea the 2100+ is fine for games now and probably will be for quite a while longer. My old P4 1.7 willamette still does the job easily it has little ram and a real old gcard but the processor itsself is excellent.
If you reaally reaaally wanna have intel HT then go down to the store peel off the intel HT sticker take it home and stick it on your pc. Thats the amount of diffrence it will make

 

[ahsia]

Originally posted by: Bonesdad
Why MUST you have Intel HT?? If there is no reason other than you want it, I have to ask: can I have some of your money?


You have a good mobo, good memory and a decent processor...if I were you I might consider upgrading the processor, but given the games/programs you listed, there is not much reason even for that...

Because I have been using AMDs for a few years now, I wanna try something different. I want to be practical, but also want to experience HT first hand. That's all.... any more questions? I feel like I am in a interragation room....

 

[ahsia]

Also, the only thing intriguing me about AMD right now is ClawHammer, and the cheapest ClawHammer right now is more expensive than 2.8C HT. I am willing to spend some money, otherwise I just stick to my current setup and live with that.

 

[Maximilian]

Yea just stick with ur current setup that would be the best idea.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: ahsiaBecause I have been using AMDs for a few years now, I wanna try something different. I want to be practical, but also want to experience HT first hand. That's all.... any more questions? I feel like I am in a interragation room....

...Also, the only thing intriguing me about AMD right now is ClawHammer, and the cheapest ClawHammer right now is more expensive than 2.8C HT. I am willing to spend some money, otherwise I just stick to my current setup and live with that.

Now this I can understand a little bit more. I upgraded from an Athlon XP 2000+ to a P4 2.6 simply because I had heard a lot of good things about the Springdale chipset, had a P4 at work that ran uber stable, and have been an AMD man since my first build. I just wanted to see what else was out there. I don't think that anyone is telling you absolutely not to do this as long as you can admit to us (and yourselt) that you aren't filling a need with this upgrade, but satisfying a desire. Do what makes you happy.

<nitromullet shines bright light on ahsia>

 

[Rukkian]

With the mb and ram, I would not do anything more than maybe get a barton, what ever speed you like. Gaming will be better on the amd anyways, then with the money you saved, you could do a full upgrade maybe a few months earlier than you planned. You would get at least close to, or greater than 3200+ speed right now and have more money to blow next time.

 

[ahsia]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: ahsiaBecause I have been using AMDs for a few years now, I wanna try something different. I want to be practical, but also want to experience HT first hand. That's all.... any more questions? I feel like I am in a interragation room....

...Also, the only thing intriguing me about AMD right now is ClawHammer, and the cheapest ClawHammer right now is more expensive than 2.8C HT. I am willing to spend some money, otherwise I just stick to my current setup and live with that.

Now this I can understand a little bit more. I upgraded from an Athlon XP 2000+ to a P4 2.6 simply because I had heard a lot of good things about the Springdale chipset, had a P4 at work that ran uber stable, and have been an AMD man since my first build. I just wanted to see what else was out there. I don't think that anyone is telling you absolutely not to do this as long as you can admit to us (and yourselt) that you aren't filling a need with this upgrade, but satisfying a desire. Do what makes you happy.

<nitromullet shines bright light on ahsia>

Hahaha... no doubt, I fully admit that I am not filling any glaring needs other than the "need" to play with Intel HT and a new motherboard. I am looking at the 2.8C, but thinking maybe prices will go down enough to get something even better? I also want to do this because I know the 2100+ and NF7-S is still worth some money now, so I can sell that for some compensation. I've also very intrigued about the AI7 and the Intel 865PE chipset. So yeah, part of me is trying to be practical and putting off a complete new system (boy I want the Raptor, DVD+-RW, ATi Radeon 9600 or 9800), the other part of me is itching to get something new to play with.

So I am thinking about the 2.8C, probably the 3.0C if prices go down more. I am just curious to see if people think prices with get lower with the release of the Prescott and talks about Intel 64 bit coming out soon.

 

[Boobers]

Upgrade to a 2500+ Barton for a 11*200= 2.2Ghz powerhouse (for only $75)...

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: EeyoreX

If you're impressed by the "bang for your buck" factor you should include AMD CPU's on your list.

I'm a little biased toward AMD, I'll admit, but in general if you want to talk "bang for buck" AMD should not just be "included" in the list, it is at the top of the list.

I agree with others that have said you should upgrade when your current PC can no longer do what you want/need it to do fast and efficiently anough for you. Unless you have money "to whip your butt with".

\Dan

I agree completely, especially considering I was the one who made the "butt wipe" comment as well.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: ahsia

Hahaha... no doubt, I fully admit that I am not filling any glaring needs other than the "need" to play with Intel HT and a new motherboard. I am looking at the 2.8C, but thinking maybe prices will go down enough to get something even better? I also want to do this because I know the 2100+ and NF7-S is still worth some money now, so I can sell that for some compensation. I've also very intrigued about the AI7 and the Intel 865PE chipset. So yeah, part of me is trying to be practical and putting off a complete new system (boy I want the Raptor, DVD+-RW, ATi Radeon 9600 or 9800), the other part of me is itching to get something new to play with.

So I am thinking about the 2.8C, probably the 3.0C if prices go down more. I am just curious to see if people think prices with get lower with the release of the Prescott and talks about Intel 64 bit coming out soon.

You also have a good point about the XP box still being worth something. That is exactly how I worked out my upgrade. I built a buddy of mine an upgrade to his P3 500 out of my XP 2000+. We were both happy - he and I both got an upgrade for less than it would have costed us seperately.