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Too many damn options - Upgrade advice

K

Kernschatten

Junior Member
Ok, spent the last two work days looking over info so I can upgrade my system... 😉

Current stuff that I'm looking at upgrading:
Celeron 366 w/ an ABIT BE6 mobo w/ 256mb 100mhz ram
TNT2 Ultra
SBLive value
Case

OK... now for the fun.
I'm not really on either side of the AMD/Intel bandwagon, have had past experience w/ both chips (most recent has been intel though), so would like opinions on Intel/AMD chips in the 700-850 mhz range (either base or OC'd if generaly stable). Along with mobo's that are good with them. And other brands of RAM besides Micron/Kensington that are good 133mhz chips.

For the Graphics card looking at GeForce II level tech (latestest gen stuff) cause its my yearly graphics upgrade.

Sound, Have had problems w/ the SBLive, but am a big fan of creative still. Any other cards out there that can do as much and aren't too expensive?

Case I'm looking at either an Enlight or one of 3dCool's tornado cases if I decide on OC'ing, would be mid-tower size range.

Help me for my head is about to explode.
 
Abit BE-6 II is supposedly a good BX board - and it has an ATA-66 controler built in too.

Pair that with a cB0 P3-700e and crank it up to 933 MHz. Throw in a GeForce2 GTS and you'll have one steamroller of a machine.

Thats all i can really help you with. I don't know much about sound cards.
 
What FSB does your MB do? Cheapest upgrade would be a Cel566@850 (still at 100MHz FSB, so you can keep your RAM) and whatever vid card you want. Though a P3 600-700 might cost as much as an OC Cel850 and give you the same perf. at stock speed, leaving you with the option of OCing later.

If you want a new case, I'd recommend a Fong Kai 603 from http://www.directron.com.

If you want new PC133 CAS2, I'd have to go with Crucial. BXBoards (I think) just did a roundup and Crucial did the best.
 
I would say that a Celeron II or a PIII E would be the cheepest option. Although looking at the Duron may be a viable alternative.

I would say that there is no need to change your RAM as you already have 256Mb, that would be a wasted upgrade.

The Graphic Card and Sound Card do not need to be upgraded.

For the case, I like the Fong Kai FK-320, I do not know whether this is a bit bigger that what you want
 
Gets weird, huh? You already have a solid system, the cpu would seem to be the weak link at this point.Upgrading it to a celeron2 566@850 would be the least expensive and most effective way to start. EDIT! That, or a non-o/c p3e. guaranteed o/c combos are available from http://www.genxtechcomp.com/products.htm and others.
There is basically no upgrade from your version of the soundblaster live except to more expensive versions of the live card, likely with more quirks than the value card.
The Enlight 7237 needs to have the front bezel opened up to breathe well, the fk320, antec sx830 and antec sx1030 do not. They are a bit larger, not really huge. Be prepared to live with noise if you get the tornado.
The cpu and the GEforce (and case?) may satisfy the upgrade fever until DDR systems become avail, probably near christmas. If not, you might as well just leave that box alone and build a new one from scratch. Even more choices!
 
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