Someone talk me into getting a new processor for one of my SETI boxes!

[Rainsford]

Ok, here's the deal. I have a FreeBSD server that I use for various things, and right now it's running SETI. As I'm sure you're all aware, FreeBSD (and other *nixes) is ass slow with SETI, I'm seeing average times of about 10 hours on my Duron 750. Well I was thinking about upgrading the processor, but in the past I've had bad luck with the motherboard at Athlon XPs (it's an Iwill KT133A board if anyone knows how to fix that by the way).

I've been thinking of putting Windows on it, and it could do most of it's stuff in windows as well (FTP, web, file server, etc), but I like to use it as a backup *nix platform for college projects when some asshat is hogging the department servers. So with Windows out, I was browsing on Newegg and I saw some really, really cheap Durons. My only concern is because they are new they might have problems on my mobo. Any experience in that department? And yes, I could upgrade it all, which I might do soon in the form of buying a new main Windows machine. But for the moment I don't want to spend that much money.

So...good idea or not? I'd like to hear from my fellow ATDC buddies

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

You could get a motherboard/cpu combo that you know would work, at Fry's it's pretty cheap if you wait for the right deal.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

any name brand nforce2 mobo + athlon XP processor = fix all your instability + way faster chipset than that 'ol thing

 

[lane42]

AHHH, if you only posted a few weeks sooner i could of gave ya a 1.2 Tbird, gave it to my daughter's boyfriend. Also you might want to see if you need a Bios update for the newer Durons before buying one. Also, Here's some reading material for that Board

 

[Xemus]

What specific problems are you having with the mobo?
If you're running an old machine like that, a new mobo+CPU+RAM upgrade would do you wonders and you could get it all for under $200.
Check out newegg
http://www.newegg.com

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: Xemus
What specific problems are you having with the mobo?
If you're running an old machine like that, a new mobo+CPU+RAM upgrade would do you wonders and you could get it all for under $200.
Check out newegg
http://www.newegg.com[/q

Oh no, no problems right now (except it's kind of slow). But if I put anything new like an XP in there, it starts to have stability problems. Although those problems were in windows, maybe FreeBSD would be better.

And just so you know, right now I am leaning towards a new system anyways...from Newegg of course.

 

[Xemus]

Good to hear, we need all the power we can get for this last run. We can take BBR, everyone just needs to upgrade!!

 

[kmmatney]

We have a KT133 based computer at work (Epox 8KTA2), and it will not run Athlon XPs reliably. Sounds like you have a similar problem - the fastest cpu you cna use may be the fastest plain old TBird. NewEgg still sells the 1.33 MHz for $40, with free shipping. It would be at least twice as fast as your current setup.

 

[networkman]

If you figure you're already running a 200 to 300 watt power supply, then getting a faster CPU/motherboard will allow you to get more work done per KilowattHour, and thus you're being a better steward of your resources.