Need your expertise!!

[velvet44]

First off this is my first visit to this board and you guys are great! I want to build another new AMD system but already have a decent rig that needs a little freshening. Should I just throw another stick of PC2700 in it and look for a faster P4? I think the fastest processor for this board is either 2.4 or 2.6?? Is PC3200 all that much faster than 2700? I would love to keep the mainboard and cost down if possible-maybe throw in a better video card as well.

Northwood P4 1.6 OC'd to 2.13Ghz
ASUS P4B266 I845D DDR MB
512mb Transcend PC2700 DDR SDRAM
Leadtech GF4 TI4400 128MB
Antec SX1030 File server case with 300w ps and 4 Sunon BB fans
IBM DeskStar 60 GB 7200 HD UDMA100
Plextor 24X/10X/40X CDRW
Pioneer 16X/40X DVD
SB Live Audigy Gamer
Win XP Home OS
Viewsonic Professional Series P95-f 19" monitor
Runs at 32/28 deg at idle, and as high as 40 under load (CPU)
Used for mostly gaming and web surfing.
I would like to optimize what I have but if you guys think it needs a major overhaul...well I am open to suggestions. Thanks guys
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[jpeyton]

Budget?

 

[velvet44]

Jpey, I am trying to keep the cost down to under $600 on this upgrade and salvage some components ie..case, drives, memory etc unless it makes no sense to throw money down the drain.

 

[velvet44]

Anyone have any ideas??

 

[velvet44]

By the way, I recently read that this mb will support 533 FSB processor. Maybe look for 2.4 P4B northwood and oc to 3Ghz +? If so will my PC2700 DDR SDRAM do the job -this would require supporting 183 on FSB clock? I believe this processor is locked at 18 multi so would it be better to look for P4A northwood with 400 FSB (I am not sure but believe this would have a multiplier of 24 and could be ran at slower bus) Anyway, I am rather new at this so not sure what to do given the mb and ram I have.

 

[velvet44]

Well, after more research I am now thinking I will not get above 166 FSB with PC2700. If that is the case the bandwith would be less with a 2.4 P4 533 than with a 2.4 P4 400 FSB given I am using PC2700. Can anyone verify this? If so I may just go with the 2.4 P4 400 FSB Northwood and try running to 133Mhz for oc of 3.2 Ghz. Or maybe I should just start with a new mb and upgrade memory to 3200 (more $$ and this is just a backup machine used by family).
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