same CPU, same video card... PC133 on KT133A vs. DDR on KT266/333/400?

[tom3]

I currently have a KK266 with 512MB of ram. I've held off upgrading the board because DDR ram prices have not fallen quite enough especially when compared with SDRAM.

How much of a limitation will the motherboard and sdram be?

I'm currently running a Tbird 1.2 at 1.4 with a Radeon 32DDR. I'm thinking of upgrading to a XP1600+ and overclocking it, with a ti4200. Will the KT133A and the sdram be much of a bottleneck? If so, what kind of applications would suffer the most?

thanks!!

 

[Markfw]

BTW the XP1600 will not be any faster than your 1.4, since they run at the same clock speed. Yes there are a few enhancements, but I would just stay put until you can afford at least an XP2000 (1.67 ghz) As for the video card, I like the Radeon 8500, but whatever floats your boat. As for the ram, it is not that much of a bottleneck. Yes you lose some speed, but with 512 mb that you already have, you would need to upgrade cpu+ motherboard and go to at least PC2700 to really notice any difference. IMO

 

[tom3]

i was thinking of OC'ing the xp1600 to xp2100 speeds.. =P how about in light of that?

 

[RanDum72]

There are other advantages in upgrading to a 1600+. It emits a lot less heat. And they are so cheap right now its a no brainer. You can just sell the 1.4 T-bird and pay a just a little more for the upgrade. You can probably hold off upgrading the mobo/ram but the video card needs to be upgarded, IMO.

 

[Markfw]

I doubt that you could get the 1600 up to 2100 speeds, but you should research the odds of this before you try., and yes that would make a difference if it worked. I agree with Randum72 that you could probably live with your cpu until you could update mb/cpu/ram all at once, but you DO need to upgrade the video card now if you do any 3D gaming at all.

 

[cmaMath13]

I have held of as well. I am running a KT133a mobo with a XP1900+, 512MB PC133 SDRAM, with a GeForce 4 4600. I have not had any performance issues with UT2003. I would not mind more "power", but I have not see enough evidence to warrant an pricey upgrade, yet. Many have told me that my RAM is a bottle neck, but HOW much?

Show me REAL world stats. comparing KT133a SDRAM mobo with a DDR mobo (same amount of memory, same cpu speed, AND same video card).

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
I doubt that you could get the 1600 up to 2100 speeds, but you should research the odds of this before you try., and yes that would make a difference if it worked. I agree with Randum72 that you could probably live with your cpu until you could update mb/cpu/ram all at once, but you DO need to upgrade the video card now if you do any 3D gaming at all.

Look at my sig.

 

[littlegohan]

what kind of cooling do you need for that speed?

 

[xMikey]

I am in the same situation except that I am using an Athlon 900. Liek wise I am thinking of uping to a XP 1600 or 1700. I will change my graphics card as well as it is only a GF 1 32MB DDR at the mo


Mikey out!!

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
I doubt that you could get the 1600 up to 2100 speeds, but you should research the odds of this before you try., and yes that would make a difference if it worked. I agree with Randum72 that you could probably live with your cpu until you could update mb/cpu/ram all at once, but you DO need to upgrade the video card now if you do any 3D gaming at all.

Someone hasn't been paying attention lately...

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: littlegohan
what kind of cooling do you need for that speed?

Most of the latest 1600+ cores are all basically 2100+'s. They usually run up to 1750mhz or so, slightly above a real 2100+, with no added voltage. I have two here on 8K5A2+ boards. One runs 166mhz FSB, 1.75ghz, 1.75v (default) with a $15 Taisol HSF and no case fans. The other runs 1.8ghz, 172mhz FSB, 1.80v with a Alpha 8045/Panaflo combo and no case fans. Contrary to popular belief, exotic cooling is not needed...at all.

 

[freshspace]

Oh my..., I can't believe that Actaeon and Insane3D have their rigs running XP1600 at such godly speeds. Is it because of your motherboard and/or memory? I am looking to get a kt133a board. I have 3 sticks of 128mb pc133 Kingston ValueRam. If I get XP1600 with that, then can I get such speed, or similar to it? I already have a Galaxy heatsink/fan good for xp2000 and some additional case fans sitting around.

 

[KGB1]

You got a pretty good system man, you can still do alot with the 133A. The MSI K7T Turbo 2 (same KT133A) supports a Athlon XP 2600+ (266 fsb). You have a WHOLE lot of upgrading available. You have plenty of RAM (which is hard to sell nowadays). Like the others have mentioned, DDR is good yet the Athlon REALLY cannot use all of its bandwidth.

Sure SDRAM has is limitations, but I'm sure your system only needs a new graphics card (Geforce 4Ti, ATI Radeon 9500 Pro), and a CPU (Athlon 2200+ Tbred is good). Then you'd be all set. Then when Hammer comes out, you can decide to upgrade or, wait till hammer goes down in price and do a system haul over.

When hammer comes out:

Serial ATA in Southbridge
AGP 3.0 (more stable)
Radeon 9700 PRO SE (DDR2) or Geforce 5 (NV30)
Firewire/USB 2.0 in Southbridge

Why over haul your system when, around the corner something will make it obsolete. Upgarade what you must, and just wait for the dust to settle in June/July '03

 

[freshspace]

Hey KGB,

Thanks for your comment. I currently have a Celeron 700mhz running windows XP Professional. My video card is GF2 GTS. I have 384mb pc100 memeory. My system right now runs fine. I just browse the internet and use MS word. However, from time to time, the computer huffs and puffs. I just think that I am due for an upgrade. Since I have the memory, and all the accessories that I need, I thought I would just purchase a kt133a mobo and an Athlon XP. 3btech.net has the MSI board for sale for $56 delivered. Do you know if this an older board? Because all the other vendors on pricewatch has the board for at least $70+.