P3 500 to 1GHz or other cheap board/chip combo - update

[rcurley55]

I have the following system:

P3500, Asus P3B-F, 640MB PC133, 40GB WD 7200, GF2Ti and the other usual goodies.

I was ready to go to a P4, but with all the goodies on the horizon, (and prices seem to be high right now) I think I want to wait, and spend around $100 for a minor upgrade. Compgeeks has the P3 Slot1 100MHz on sale for 100. Now, this is a drop in replacement. Is there any other board/chip combo that would allow me to swap my ram and everything that will provide stable perfomance for around $100? I don't want a crappy MB that is unstable....

Thanks

 

[Macro2]

ECS k7s5a $54
Athlon XP 1600+ $53

newegg.com

You will be stunned by the performance boost. why would you spend about the same for a 1000 mhz P3?

Might have to up the PS but you will have to do that anyway when you go to a P4. Plus with a P4 you'd want DDR or RDRAM.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Right on Macro2! Duron 1.3ghz is incredibly cheap and hugely faster than a PIII 1ghz and is less likely to need a new PSU, of course XP1600+ are also REALLY cheap and o/c very well. No doubt at all in my mind you want to be looking at Duron / AthlonXP and a SktA mobo which allows SDR (PC133) and ideally has DDR slots too. As well as obviously taking AthlonXP CPUs, most likely chipsets are SiS735/745 and KT266, I rec SiS but either way you'll get a HUGE boost for next to nothing.

 

[Wolfsraider]

Originally posted by: Macro2
ECS k7s5a $54
Athlon XP 1600+ $53

newegg.com

You will be stunned by the performance boost. why would you spend about the same for a 1000 mhz P3?

Might have to up the PS but you will have to do that anyway when you go to a P4. Plus with a P4 you'd want DDR or RDRAM.

go with the amd1600+ and mobo you won't be disapointed

 

[dexvx]

If you get the ECS K7s5a combo, you'd probably need a new power supply. In the end, I think its worth it, especially if you like tinkering with computer hardware.

Another option is to get a slotket, modify it, and drop in a Tualatin Celeron (or buy it pre-modded, as I've seen some for sale on the FS/T forum by a reputable modder). That would probably be the cheapest method.

 

[Bovinicus]

The only problem with the K7S5A method is that if you are using more than 2 DIMMs, then they will not all be useable. Of course, it looks like you have a 512MB and a 128MB DIMM. If you have 2x256MB and a 128MB, then you will be losing out on that extra 128MB, but I doubt you will notice a difference in performance. The good thing about that setup is that you can transition to DDR memory down the line, as the K7S5A supports 2 DDR or 2 SDR DIMMs. In addition, once the 1600+ becomes too slow for you, you can always upgrade to a 2800+. =)

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

How bout an unlocked athlon 900 with motherboard for $100.

I might sell it if all goes well tonight at first saturday.

 

[rcurley55]

Thanks for all the responses guys, but I decided to go with the P3 1GHz...I know it isn't as fast as the 1.6 option by a long shot, but the ECS board horror storries bother me. I NEED this computer to stay up and running, so a simple drop-in installation fits the bill better.

I should have a nice P4 setup in a few months anyway...I was going to order the OEM from compgeeks.com for around $90, but I found the Retail version at googlegear.com for 100 flat.

So, how do I oc this thing?!?! I run dual vid cards, will that hamper me at all? The mem is all the same brand, but is generic from CompUsa.

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: rcurley55
Thanks for all the responses guys, but I decided to go with the P3 1GHz...I know it isn't as fast as the 1.6 option by a long shot, but the ECS board horror storries bother me. I NEED this computer to stay up and running, so a simple drop-in installation fits the bill better.

I should have a nice P4 setup in a few months anyway...I was going to order the OEM from compgeeks.com for around $90, but I found the Retail version at googlegear.com for 100 flat.

So, how do I oc this thing?!?! I run dual vid cards, will that hamper me at all? The mem is all the same brand, but is generic from CompUsa.

Have you already bough it? You can get a good AMD mobo + XP 1600+ for less than a P3 and the 1600+ will blow it away.

 

[Lvis]

I would give thought to a slocket and a 1 ghz flip chip. Having the 133mhz bus is a nice bump in performance. While this will overclock your agp slot, most video cards can handle it. I had a p3b-f for quite a while, the last year with a 700@933. Solid as a rock. I bought a 1ghz p3 this past week for eighty bucks and change from newegg. (refurb)

 

[rcurley55]

Just figured I'd let you know that I got my P3 1GHz in today from Googlegear.com with the HSF. This was my first major upgrade, so it was a bit intimidating.

Here was my morning:
9:00 - Chip shows up - I hear FedEx guy plop it on my doorstep...not happy
9:10 - case is open, 500 is out....1Ghz is sliding in
9:12 - tried to boot....nothing...DAMN IT!!!!!
9:15 - P3500 is back in...crap...computer boots
9:20 - find out my bios is out of date......it takes a while when you are on a dialup!!!
9:21 - find out asus doesn't have the bios I need on the USA site
9:40 - FINALLY track down the right bios on a GERMAN server....thank god for asusboards.com
9:45 - moment of truth...say a prayer....yes...update it.....
9:46 - success
9:50 - 1 Ghz is back in
9:55 - enjoying a much faster computer

Yeah, I had to flash the BIOS - first time I have ever tried that one before....yikes talk about nerve racking!!! Plopped in the new chip....voila....much much better. So happy with the decision....I just didn't feel like having to format and reload all my software. This is my work computer so reliablity is key.....now....time to slowly OC this bastid!!!

Thanks for the help with the upgrade.....I searched these forums a ton...they totally helped me out...this place is great (although it makes me spend all my money...damn hot deals) I know 1GHz or such a simple upgrade my not seem like crap to some of you guys, but I'm so much happier!!!

Just had to share