New Mobo/Cpu Recommendations

[btalbott]

Hello all!
There is a computer show in my neighborhood this weekend and I am planning on upgrading my Abit BH6 Slot 1A mobo (Cele 300a overclocked to 450). Now, I would like to ask for everyone's opinion on what I should buy. Basically my machine will be used for the Web, digicam, and I plan on using Windows 98SE and Windows 2000. This will probably not be used for a gaming machine.
Let's take this 2 routes: (1) The economical machine, and (2) "the" system. My current system has 256MB PC100 Memory, 48X CDRom, Diamond MX300 Sound and STB Velocity 4400 AGP.
* Note: my videocard is not compatible with Windows 2000, and the sound card is degraded by going to Windows 2000 (ie. Not all functionality is there).
I was thinking about PIII 1Ghz, or Athlon 1Ghz. I hear the Iwill KK266 is a good board for the Athlon and the ASUS CusL2 is a good board for the PIII. Any suggestions? I'm open...It's been a while since I built my old Cele300a system a few years back. Thanks in advance for the help

Bill

 

[Brylord]

I know I'll get creamed for this, but if i were you I'd update my bios and put in PIII. You can get a fairly fast one for under $150.00 on Pricewatch. An OEM Soundblaster live is under $40.00 today and a Radeon or Geforce MX w/VIVO can be had for around $100.00. So economically your under $300.00 for this upgrade. I'd then wait until all the bugs get worked out of the motherboards for AMD and AMD releases there next Processor. However, if can't wait, build your system around a Duron. Can't beat them for the price. You can get a good Motherboard, a 700MHz Duron and 256MB of RAM for about $300. However, you still need a Video Card and Soundcard. For new systems AMD is by far cheaper than Intel.

 

[Vegito]

I would agree also.. factors..

P4 = krappie's expensive...
New P3 Board = isn't really worth it.. since p3 is going to be discontinue by end of year, but who knows...

Since you can most likely throw in a newer P3 or at least wait for the Palomino core in like a month or two, u can really save some money.


To save $
Slocket for FC-PGA - 20 bucks
P3 FC-PGA CPU 600-700 - 135 bucks
Cooler - 30 bucks
Video card and use the same PC100 memory..

or really go all out and get a new one..

 

[GasX]

Your best bang for the buck is an AMD system. For $300 or less you can get an Asus A7V, Duron 600 and 256 MB PC133 RAM. Sell your current stuff and your net will be $200 or less. The Duron can easily OC to 150% just like the Celeron. Mine is running at 107*9=963MHz

Keep in mind that getting the MX300 to work on that mobo takes a little work. You have to get updated drivers for both the Mobo AND soundcard (go to www.vortexofsound.com). You also have to disable soundblaster emulation. A brief search on this forum and 3Dsoundsurge will get you the neccesary info.

Good Luck!

 

[btalbott]

Thanks guys....Who knows what will happen when I get to the computer show? I scare myself sometimes. I go for one thing and come back with more.

Bill

 

[btalbott]

Thanks guys. When I was poking around on the internet last night, I found some drivers for my STB Velocity 4400 AGP that will work with Windows 2000. I went to the Nvidia site and thought that if the chipset was Nvidia and a TNT then it should work...well it did. That saved me some $$.
I ended up getting an Inetl Celeron II 633, ABIT Slotket converter, and a Golden Orb fan. I'm going to pop them in tomorrow after flashing my Abit BH6's BIOS to SS. I guess I can sell my Cele 300a (runs at 450) now.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Bill