System Upgrade

[swstrickland]

I am currently running an Asus CUSL2-C with a 1GHZ Proc. and Maxed out at 512mb ram, this has been good for a while, but I am seeing some system staggers and I am considering upgrading. I prefer to stay with Intel processor and chipset unless someone can convince me otherwise. I would like to be able to expand over time more so than what I was able to with the CUSL2-C.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Best bet for staying with intel and getting a new machine: Get a Pentium 4 1.6A (make SURE it's the 1.6A model with 512K cache and not 1.6 with 256K cache because the 1.6A overclocks amazingly well) and either an ASUS P4B266 (or P4B266-C) , or an ASUS P4S533. You'll need to buy DDR memory also: get some good PC2700 DDR SDRAM.

I recently upgraded from a P3 733 on a CUSL2 to a P4 1.8A (would've got the 1.6A but they didnt have any in stock ) and it's a way faster machine (for games and such anyways .

My CPU is currently running @ 2.25 GHz (overclocked) with ZERO stability problems whatsoever. Please note the 1.6A overclocks to 2.1-2.4 GHz easily. Make sure to use Arctic Silver thermal compound and not the stock thermal pad, however.

 

[o1die]

I have been using arctic silver 2 for a long time, but for the stock Intel heatsink, I would install it once with the standard pad and forget it. As2 doesn't make much difference in temps, maybe only 1-2 degrees less.

 

[jiffylube1024]

<< I have been using arctic silver 2 for a long time, but for the stock Intel heatsink, I would install it once with the standard pad and forget it. As2 doesn't make much difference in temps, maybe only 1-2 degrees less. >>



Not true, Some people get a 6-8 degree C difference at maximum load in Prime95 and other ultra-stressful programs. Also, that thermal gunk gets extremely sticky afterwards and is virtually impossible to remove, whereas any thermal grease is much easier to remove later on if you change your mind.