Upgrading

[BigfootKevin]

I'm a bit behind on the hardware scene of computers, and instead of wasting a lot of time looking, I figured I'd join this board and ask you guys, but anyway..

I'm currently running a P4 3.0ghz with an ABIT IC7-G motherboard, ATI Radeon X800XT AGP, and I have 2 sticks of Kingston Xtreme KHX4000/512R 512MB PC4000 184pin DIMM ram.

I'm a big gamer, so I've been wanting to switch to using an AMD chip. My P4 has always been running extremely hot, and now my motherboard's fan is crapping out on me making loud noises.

So if you guys could point me in the direction of a nice Processor/Motherboard combo that'd be great. My expenses for a new chip could be $250ish range and same with the motherboard, if not less. Preferrably somethin better than a AMD 3200.

Thanks.

 

[HonkeyDonk]

I'm looking for a new AMD rig myself.

I've done a little research and so far from waht I've come across, if you're into overclocking, then going with an AMD 3000+ Venice (or higher) and a DFI Lanparty NF4 (there are like 3 versions) is a solid buy.

I think an AMD 64 3000+ (venice) and the DFI Lanparty UT NF4 Ultra is around $250 (give or take $10).

 

[BigfootKevin]

Ah, that's something I forgot to mention.

I'm not all into the whole overclocking deal.

 

[HonkeyDonk]

Originally posted by: BigfootKevin
Ah, that's something I forgot to mention.

I'm not all into the whole overclocking deal.

well, even without overclocking, the combo i mentioned above is still very very solid and easy to setup. Good price too.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

http://www.amd.com/techtour -> Great deal on a good motherboard and a good processor.
Check out the Gigabye GA-K8NXP-SLi for a good board with lots of features (wireless card + DPS)
Check out the ASUS A8N-E for a cheaper board, but pretty solid board. It's missing 1 crical feature: Firewire

 

[drpootums]

can't beat the 3400+ (socket 754) and the DFI lanparty. Very value packed. And u'd probably end up upgrading the whole thing no matter what when u switch to PCI-E anyways, and i'm sure the 3400+ will be fast for quite a while!

 

[BigfootKevin]

What about the Fatal1ty AN8 SLi? It's pretty new, has anyone heard anything good about this board?

 

[Appledrop]

Originally posted by: BigfootKevin
What about the Fatal1ty AN8 SLi? It's pretty new, has anyone heard anything good about this board?

K well that is PCIexpress ( the new AGP, if you will - offers no performance gains right now as a slot, it is simply the new standard ) and your card would not fit in there . I was assuming, as the x800xt is a top of the line card, that you would be keeping it.. I therefore
suggest the EpoX 9NDA3J with a 3200+ venice. This would offer a stable, cool, and fast setup.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

The Fatal1ty is way to overpriced anyways. I would go with a good MSI or DFI board with AGP.

 

[BigfootKevin]

Originally posted by: Azzy64

Originally posted by: BigfootKevin
What about the Fatal1ty AN8 SLi? It's pretty new, has anyone heard anything good about this board?

K well that is PCIexpress ( the new AGP, if you will - offers no performance gains right now as a slot, it is simply the new standard ) and your card would not fit in there . I was assuming, as the x800xt is a top of the line card, that you would be keeping it.. I therefore
suggest the EpoX 9NDA3J with a 3200+ venice. This would offer a stable, cool, and fast setup.

Yeah, I was just thinking about selling my current card to my friend for a good deal to help me buy a PCI-E card since that's what is pretty much going to be the standard in the future, right? If not, then I guess you just saved me a lot of money