Upgrade memory, processor, which?

[KiltedFool]

Ok, I'm getting the slight jones to upgrade my rig since I've picked up some minor pieces and finally bought a copy of a real OS so I can get out of the crippled thing I've been stuck with forever (going to XP Pro).

Have to upgrade slowly, bit by bit, to maintain domestic tranquility.

Current rig:
XP 2100+ Retail Palomino
Epox 8RDA+
2 sticks 256 MB Crucial PC2100
BFG Technologies Ti4600
SoundBlaster 5.1
Maxtor 40 GB 7200
16x Plextor CDRW
CD Rom
Altec Lansing 4.1 digital speakers.
350 Watt Fortron in a fairly generic toolless case.

The Ti4600 had a fan bearing start to go and is in RMA replacement right now (love BFG's warranty), I might get an FX card out of the deal.

Bought an 80 GB Maxtor recently, will be doing the clean install on it and slaving existing drive to it.

Bought a Lite-on burner to swap out the Plex in the move.

The Sound Blaster will not be making the transition, once the SPDIF bracket arrives the 5.1 gets retired (unless it still doesn't support RCA-style SPDIF out, SpideyCU you out there?)

I play Dark Age of Camelot on broadband, some occasional offline gaming, and surfing. I've never overclocked, debating whether or not I want to start.

Now, I'm thinking of upgrading memory first, what speed and brand name is going to be my best bang for buck for 1 gig of memory if I do or do not OC? I can also wait a week or two for prices to settle down again, or buy 1 stick of 512 now and one later.

If I don't decide to OC does it make sense to change processors? If I do, it's obviously the Barton 2500 right?

My video card seems strong enough for me for now, I can't afford the scratch to upgrade for a while anyway.

Share your thoughts with me eh?

KF
(other than "what a tool" I already know that one)

 

[DaveSimmons]

Is DAOC running badly for you? Anything else besides upgrade lust driving this?

It almost never makes sense to upgrade parts before you need them, since long-term prices always go down and speed goes up.

Unless you get that 2500+ and OC it, you're not going to see a huge gain in CPU speed until you go for the A64 3000+ (or faster). The XPs above 2500+ are not a good deal since, as you probably already know, an XP 3000+ is much slower than an A64 3000+ -- XP 3000+ is slower than P4 2.8C, A64 is faster than P4 3.2C (in games).

If you can't afford to make the jump to A64 now, or have no need for it yet, I suppose you could get some PC3200 since you can move it to the A64 later. I have no idea whether DAOC needs/uses more than 512, you might check their forums.

 

[KiltedFool]

DAoC is stable once I finally tweaked my Rwin settings, got the Comcast speed bump, and nuked over 190 spyware.

Usually I upgrade because of performance issues or because I just wanna, then use the leftovers to build comps for relatives or the like, I've got a batch of cousins and the in-laws.

This time it's the relatives causing me to get in upgrade mentality, short term I'm rehabbing an old Presario 7470 for my godson until I can build him a decent comp. I'm upgrading a few of my parts and giving him the old to defray those costs, the Presario should buy me time to vulture some good deals.

Will my Palomino OC with this board without major tribulations?

Doesn't sound like any point to get a Barton and OC with my current budget.

If the RDA+ will handle the A64s for a while, maybe 3200 makes sense. If I switched to 3200 now, wouldn't it run underspeed or have to run asynchronous?

Apologies for the questions, but I've been away from AT most of a year.

KF

 

[ScrapSilicon]

an old Presario 7470

I know of a 7471 ..just sitting in a corner.. ..its not being used even tho it does run..k62 533 256MB of pc133 Win98SE ..really

 

[Markfw]

If the RDA+ will handle the A64s for a while, maybe 3200 makes sense. If I switched to 3200 now, wouldn't it run underspeed or have to run asynchronous?

I don't quite understand this, but you DO understand that an Athlon64 3000+ will NOT fit in your motherboard, it requires a new socket, bios, everything.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If the RDA+ will handle the A64s for a while, maybe 3200 makes sense. If I switched to 3200 now, wouldn't it run underspeed or have to run asynchronous?

You need a new motherboard for an A64, and yes if you buy PC3200 now it will run underclocked until you upgrade. It might make more sense to buy some cheap used PC2100 from the FS/FT forum and wait on the PC3200.

 

[KiltedFool]

I had a hunch the 64 would require new mobo/socket, but like I said, I've been out of circulation for a year.

So the only CPU upgrade that would make sense without new mobo is if I'm willing to pop my overclocking hymen with a Barton 2500, true?

PC3200 would be mainly an attempt to future proof a little bit, I won't see benefit now unless I OC or migrate to the new socket (and spend a ton).

Would I see a performance increase with PC2700 or do I have to OC this Palomino to realize any benefit from a higher memory speed?

I can stick with my current memory, add more 2100 to it (though I think my board's unstable with all 3 banks filled), or buy 512 or a gig of 2700 or 3200, but don't know which way to turn, when last I was active, Crucial was the recommended vendor, now people sneer at it.

I'll probably make the leap to the 64, the new socket, and 3200 all at once after saving up for a while.

The Presario I confiscated from my father when I read it's specs and revoked his hardware buying privs. It's just a homework machine to buy me some time to build, 198 MB of PC100 on 98SE *shudder*

KF

 

[Markfw]

If you are going to get memory now in preparation for an upgrade to an Athlon64 3000+, make sure you get PC3500 CAS2 or better (IMO). I have seen people with problems with slower memory.

 

[Ionizer86]

If your 8RDA+ is revision 2, you can toss on a 2500+ and make it a 3200+ with PC3200 or higher ram. Note that this is possible only if your board is revision 2 and your ram runs at PC3200. That's my suggestion, as I'm running an 8RDA+ with a 1700+ at 2600+ on PC2100 ram that runs at PC2700.

Side note: I have the digital sound bracket, and the RCA style SPDIF out doesn't work for me...I've never figured out why either (I don't even know if the bracket is good or bad), so I gave up and bought a Santa Cruz.

 

[KiltedFool]

I got the digital sound bracket a year ago when I bought my RDA+ but it only had one port in the bracket, though 3 slots were cut in it. I only had optical out, the optical in and SPDIF out holes in the bracket were marked but empty of ports.

Went to their website recently and they now do offer an updated bracket that seems to populate all three slots, I should be receiving the new one within the next week, hope I can get it working, my speakers I have to have the RCA style to get digital sound. Basically I need the SPDIF port like the old SB 5.1 had.

How do I determine what revision I have? I looked at the board to see if the Rev was listed next to the RDA+ label but it wasn't, I purchased this in approximately January 2003.

Think I'll wait a bit on the memory, prices spiked lately, and it doesn't look like I can improve performance much without buying a new processor and/or motherboard.

KF

 

[Pistolero]

I'm not sure how video intense DAoC is, but maybe upgrading the video card would be the best buy.