Upgrade my computer... please help!

[ThomasV]

I am planning to upgrade my computer?s CPU & Motherboard, but I am not sure which Motherboard to buy. My old computer is like this:

P3 700Mhz
CUSL2 Motherboard
512 MB SDRAM
2x80GB HDs (Parallel type)
Radeon 32MB
SB Live!
A Network card
CD Writer

Basically, I only want to replace the CPU and Motherboard and re-use all the existing parts (including the SDRAM, if possible). I am targeting to use P4 @ 2.8Ghz (HT). Do you know any Motherboard that fits this category? If the Motherboard has built in Network card and RAID, it is even better. Built-in audio/graphic chip is not required. Thank you in advance!

Thomas

 

[Ionizer86]

Hi, welcome to AT!

Unfortunately, the SDRam has served its purpose and it will have to be buried or sold. Modern P4 systems choke on the bandwidth SDRam provides, while AMD boards that use SDRam are very rare and are also considered relatively old technology.

If you want a P4 2.8 with HT, you'll need two sticks of PC3200 or higher DDR. Most boards have network (and audio too), while they may or may not have RAID. Don't forget the AMD route because an Athlon 64 3000+ will run much faster than a P4 2.8c, and the cost may be about the same. Also, you'll only need one stick of ram on an AMD system, whereas the P4 needs the bandwidth from two sticks to run well.

 

[rb56]

Originally posted by: ThomasV

Basically, I only want to replace the CPU and Motherboard and re-use all the existing parts (including the SDRAM, if possible). I am targeting to use P4 @ 2.8Ghz (HT). Thomas

I'm not aware of any MBs for the P4 that still use SDRAM. I would check on your Radeon also as the last Athlon system I built couldn't use it because of the voltage.

rb56

 

[Swanny]

If you're looking to keep your SDRAM, I'd recommend an AMD solution. This motherboard supports SDR as well as DDR, so you can upgrade when the time comes. Pair the board with a lower end Athlon XP (make sure you get a chip w/ 266Mhz FSB to work with this motherboard). You can spend less than $100 for both the board and CPU. That way you will, a) get a big performance increase over your current setup to hold you over so you can, b) save your money for when you can upgrade CPU/Mobo/RAM all at once.

Of course, you could just spend a little more money now and upgrade everything. If you're going that route, I'd recommend an Athlon 64 3000+ and a motherboard of your choosing. The new SiS 755 chipset is supposed to be the fastest and is also the cheapest right now. You can find it here along with NewEgg's other Socket 754 offerings. The chip does not require dual channel RAM, so you could just buy a single module.

I hope this helps.

 

[ThomasV]

Thank you everyone for your help! I think I will get rid of the SDRAM for good and spend a little more on the Athon 3000+ system with DDR RAM.

Regards,
Thomas

 

[osage]

my recommendation for a upgrade that won't break the bank and still triple your system performance would be :

Barton 2500+ $90.00

Shuttle AN35N-Ultra $66.99

Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 76.00

POWERCOLOR RADEON 9600PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR $149.00