Upgrading... what would give me my best mobo/ cpu combo for cheap$$

[masterc]

I currently have a K7 1Ghz T-bird with an A7V mobo. This has served me well, for more than 3 years now, and still runs respectably. But when my work comp. is faster, I have gotten used to that speed (P4 2.8 with HT).
I have been out of the cpu loop for a while and have just started to ask others for their opinion...
I was thinking of a AMD XP CPU, similar to AT Midrange suggestions...
What do AT'ers think..., what MOBO/ chipset should I look for?

(I have been scrolling through the threads...)

 

[myocardia]

The best values by far, assuming you overclock, is an Abit NF7-S : link or NF7: link for motherboards, a mobile Barton 2500: link or mobile 2600: link, and this ram: link or this ram: link, with at least this heatsink: link. Of course, if you are going to buy a new mobo and processor, you're gonna have to buy a $60-$80 power supply to push it all, because whatever you're using to push a 1.0ghz Athlon isn't going to cut it. Assuming you don't want to spend $300 for a complete, kicka$$ system, then you should just buy the mobile 2500 or mobile 2600 with that heatsink. There are a few people who refuse to buy a new motherboard who are running mobile Bartons on that motherboard.

 

[magratton]

hmm.. the question is what is "Cheap $$$"? Have you read the Anandtech system guides? There are some good mid-range and overclocker system guides in there. I have followed the oc'ers guide and that has suited me pretty darn well. Total system cost has been under $870US shipped from Newegg.com.

 

[Naruto]

Any nforce 2 mobo with good overclocking options and any barton 2500+ if your not too much of an overclocking nut.

 

[noxipoo]

get a nforce 2 mobo with a 2500+ barton, you don't need to buy a new PSU if you have a quality300+watt PSU.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: noxipoo
get a nforce 2 mobo with a 2500+ barton, you don't need to buy a new PSU if you have a quality300+watt PSU.

3-4 year old psu's don't have the P4 4-pin 12v connection, and the majority of nForce2 boards either won't post at all or are extremely unstable without one. My board won't do anything without it being hooked up. So, if he's at all considering buying a new nForce2 board, he'd have to be one cheap bastard not to want to spend the $31 for this psu: link, which actually seems like a pretty decent psu, if you aren't going to try to overclock. If he's going to shoot for 2.4-2.5ghz, there isn't a 300watt psu made, no matter who makes it, that will provide the current that requires.

 

[o1die]

You can buy an adapter for the special p4 4 pin connector that's also used on some amd boards. It's about $3 at Fry's. And speaking of bargains, Fry's has the best combo deals. With my duron combo, the motherboard was virtually free. ($34.95 for both). The motherboard is poor, but I finally got it working after going through 5 different boards. The nforce2 board with onboard video is probably your best solution. Newegg sometimes has refurbs. Or pricewatch may have some older nforce2 boards for around $50.

 

[Wuzup101]

LOL... you could buy a 2100+ from newegg and drop it in that A7V and then run it at 2.2ghz. Not super fast, but good enough to last you until more 64bit systems come out. Anyway - not really any way to gaurantee that your 2100+ will be unlocked... but I got a week 18 or so from newegg like 3 weeks ago for my dads A7V system.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Not all A7Vs will run T-breds. It's a hit and miss, but it's not a bad idea. Memory performance will be lacking if you go that route.

My A7N8X Deluxe didn't need the P4 4pin 12V connection...

Are you planning to overclock or run stock speeds?

 

[jswjimmy]

ENERMAX 350W Power Supply $48.00, Shuttle nForce2 AN35N-Ultra $66.00, AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", $81.00, Buffalo 512MB DDR333 PC-2700$83.00.
total $287

 

[Wuzup101]

From what I hear over at the A7V forums most of them aren't having problems with T-breds. However, unlocked is the way to go. I just mentioned that because I know newegg still had some older stock 2100+s laying around. Just thought I would mention that. BTW... i'm not too certain that the newer boards need the p4 connector. Though they have the slot for it, I have heard that most of them work fine w/o it. I personally use it b/c my psu supports it...

 

[bunnyfubbles]

I upgraded my desktop from an Abit KR7A (KT266A) and AXP Palomino @ 1.47GHz to an NF7-S and a mobile 2400+. Kept my same ram and the performance boost was incredible, was able to finally take my ram to max (let 'em stretch their legs for the first time, in dual channel as well). Going from 1.47GHz to 2.3GHz as well as 2x the L2 cache was definatley awesome for performance boost seen. Set me back $160 for the upgrade, some of the best money I've spent on computer hardware in a long time. Not quite sure when I'll spend money on other system parts, I'm really trying to resist any urges and hold off for when I put together a complete new rig for myself towards the end of the summer (most likely A64 unless things change).

 

[masterc]

Thanks for all the feedback!!!

I have some reading to do, but it looks like $350 ~ will be all I need to spend... definitely will be worth it!!!

 

[masterc]

Anyone heard of ECS motherboards?
They have some AMD 3100 bundled with their L7VMM motherboard.
These can be found on ebay for about $125 Link

I know you get what you pay for... but does anyone have experience with this??

 

[fireontheway]

mobile 2400xp for $77.00 and AN35N Ultra for $66.00 will be better than most "super cheap bundles".

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: masterc
Anyone heard of ECS motherboards?
They have some AMD 3100 bundled with their L7VMM motherboard.
These can be found on ebay for about $125 Link

I know you get what you pay for... but does anyone have experience with this??

Just a hint, but any motherboard that you can get for free (or anywhere near it) you don't want. And fire, anyone who wouldn't spend ~$5 more for an NF7 (non-S), especially for a mobile Barton should be commited.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: masterc
Thanks for all the feedback!!!

I have some reading to do, but it looks like $350 ~ will be all I need to spend... definitely will be worth it!!!

Hey, if that's not too expensive for you, you definitely won't be sorry you spent the money. You should have a system that's top of the line (or close enough not to care, anyway) for a year, and won't need to be replaced for two years.