Upgrading Computer - Need help

[UNLTuba]

I currently have a 1GHz Slot Athlon setup (non-Thunderbird). I want to upgrade to a dual PIII system, and want to know how to go about that. What all do I need to get rid of in my current system that won't be compatible with a dual PIII system? I know I need to get rid of my motherboard, processor, heatsink/fan combo, and my memory. Anything else? Thanks for the help.

 

[IamDavid]

Why ya wanna switch???

 

[Pacinamac23]

Your insane dude. Why do you wanna do that????

YOU HAVE A 1GHZ TBIRD FOR GODS SAKE

 

[XRdirtHead]

your machine is fine...

 

[UNLTuba]

I don't have a T-bird - I even said that I didn't in my post - read it again. That's why I'm switching.

 

[igowerf]

I can't really think of anything else that would need to be replaced. You can probably keep your RAM unless you plan to upgrade to faster RAM or ECC RAM. Memory is cheap though so I guess it doesn't really matter.

 

[UNLTuba]

Oh yeah - I forgot to say - I was looking at getting the Intel OR840 board, which supports RDRAM. That's why I'd have to replace the RAM. Anything else in an Athlon system that wouldn't be compatible with that board?

For info on my current system, my web page with my specs is http://www.geocities.com/unltuba/computer.html

I was looking at upgrading to a dual Pentium III system (933MHz or higher) on an Intel OR840 board. Thanks again for all the replies so quickly.

-Eric

 

[nweaver]

We need to Get a reality check here. 1gig amd is awsome, but the ability of duals totaly swamps. my Dual Celly's can do more tasks at the same time then my friends 1g tbird. Try Playing MP3, burning, and playing q3 at the same time, and don't lose any fps in q3.....

 

[Hawk]

Well, if you really HAVE to, just get the VIA dual board (MSI has one), you can keep your RAM. RDRAM isn't very good...=) I think Tom's hardware just had a comparison with dual cpu setups a couple weeks back.

 

[potz]

i agree. get a via mobo with dual p3. then u can still use your ram. intel chipsets nowadays stink.

 

[shepherdofchaos]

Couple of questions:

1) What OS are you going to be running to take advantage of dual PIIIs? If it isn't NT or Windows 2000 you're gonna be wasting a great deal of money for processors that get there ass kicked (mhz for mhz) by your present, single Athlon 1GHZ.

2) What software will you be running that can take advantage of dual processors? I would guess that there are very few mainstream applications/games/etc. where you will see enough of a performance gain to justify the extra money.

Things to think about.

If you're really worried about the Slot A deadend, IMHO you'll get much better value/performance from a KT133A board and socket A. Heck, for less than that money (for dual PIIIs and MB), you can probably have a 133mhz board with DDR, a 266mhz FSB Thunderbird, and 256MB of PC2100 DDR ram! (a setup, which, by the way, will be kicking the P4's ass probably well into 2002)

 

[UNLTuba]

OK - here's some more food for thought on this thread. Rather than getting the Intel board, how about the ABIT VP6 that's gotten so many rave reviews lately? That way I can keep my current RAM (Mushkin PC150 Enhanced HSDRAM - I like it!) and only have to get a new motherboard and processors? On my current board though, I'm using 5/6 PCI slots and the ISA slot, so I'm a little worried about the ABIT VP6 space-wise. Are there any reliable dual processor boards with another PCI slot? I could do without the ISA slot if need be. Also - when are dual Thunderbird boards supposed to be out? If they came out before I am going to buy, I'd definately go with them over the dual PIIIs anyday. Thanks for your help!