Upgrading my current system

[Teclis2323]

Howdy,

I have been getting closer and closer to upgrading my current system. Currently, I have:
Athlon XP 2400, 1.5GB DDR, Geforce FX 5900XT, etc. etc.

I am quite interested in upgrading my computer to a dual-core processor for both gaming and general usage. I am stuck deciding between purchasing an X2 4200+ and the C2D E6300. They seem to run fairly neck-and-neck, with the Intel being slightly superior over the X2, and I wanted to get the advice of this forum.

I have, for a long time, been an AMD kind of guy, and the idea of using Intel makes me shiver

I want to upgrade the Proc, Mobo and GPU. I want to keep my current 1.5GB DDR400 memory, since this is only to hold me over until next year when I build a "dream" machine. I'm thinking about doing this in about a month, so it's getting quite intense for me in terms of selecting what I want in my system.

It seems like, if I go C2D, I'd probably have to either purchase new RAM or settle with a sub-par motherboard - the last thing I want to do is buy a great new processor and get a $45 motherboard. Does anyone have any advice for me here?

Also, in terms of overclocking - I have been thinking about OCing whichever proc I purchase. I claim absolutely NO knowledge of this, and wouldn't want to push anything too far or too aggressively. Does anyone know of any walkthrus on overclocking an X2 or a C2D?

All opinions welcome and appreciated

Jacob

 

[Teclis2323]

Ooh! I forgot to mention, I have been *considering* using Windows XP x64, and wanted to know your opinions. I have ready many opinions and reviews, and they seem to say that, while it's not fully compatible with all 32bit programs, it's MOSTLY compatible. Any word on its current performance?

As a computer, I do a lot of internet and I WANT to do a lot of gaming.

 

[DaveSimmons]

E6300 is neck and neck with an X2 4600+ not a 4200+, but a 4200+ _is_ fast enough to keep a 7900GT happy.

XP64 is worthless except for a workstation with over 4GB RAM.

Socket 939 would let you keep your RAM, so you could get an Asus A8N-E and X2 4200+ for around $275, plus another $200-250 for an nvidia 7900GS, X1900, or 7900GT.

What is your current PSU and what is the +12V rating in amps? You might need another $50-100 for a Fortron or Seasonic 400-500 watt PSU.

 

[Teclis2323]

Hey Dave,

Um, I believe I have a 500 or a 550 PSU - unsure at the moment. Do you think it's worth it to purchase the x2 4200, or am I throwing money away? I want to get the best bang for the buck, and if I have to wait an extra week or two, I don't mind.

As for the graphics, card, I will be probably purchasing a Gigabyte 7600GS (silent). This is because I prefer silence and low cost vs. getting the extra performance that spending an extra 50 or 100 would get me.

Still interested in your opinions, though. If it was your money, what would you do? At what point should I just build an entirely new computer?

 

[DaveSimmons]

You should spend the extra for the silent giga 7600 GT at $150: newegg.com

For a 7600GS / GT you could get by with an X2 3800+ even without overclocking. Then you only need to spend

$150 7600GT + $90 A8N-E (newegg) + $160 X2 3800 + $30 Zalman 7000-alcu HSF (newegg) = about $430.

Your PSU should be fine for this combo, and it will offer a massive improvement over your 2400+ and 5900.

 

[Teclis2323]

Dave - sounds great! I think I might spring for the 4200+, but I'm relieved, because I really didn't want to have to build an entire new computer.

Thanks

Jacob

 

[Teclis2323]

One question, though - why not go for Windows XP x64? I've heard it boots up, operates and loads things quicker...

 

[DaveSimmons]

With the X2 4200+ you should definitely be fast enough at stock speed.

Overclocking sounds nice, but with stock speed you have a lot less to learn and worry about.

The Zalman is still a very good HSF for an X2, and keeps it cool a much more quietly than the stock AMD HSF.

The Asus A8N-E also has its own active fan speed control that's safer to use than AMD's cool 'n' quiet. If you're a super quiet fanatic I've heard this works as a replacement for its own chipset fan: Thermalright HR-05 ... but that you have to be very careful installing it because the chip is fragile.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Teclis2323
One question, though - why not go for Windows XP x64? I've heard it boots up, operates and loads things quicker...

There are still driver and compatibility issues, and the seconds speed difference for booting up isn't worth the hours lost to dealing with drivers.

Wait for your next PC with Vista 64-bit, that's the one that will work right.


PS - for silence, another motherboard to consider is the Biostar TForce 6100-939 microATX. It has the PCI-E x16 slot you need, but it's $10-20 cheaper than the Asus and uses a fanless heatsink for the motherboard chipset (AnandTech look) I use one for a work machine (with the onboard nvidia 6100 graphics) and it has been 100% stable.