Want to invest a couple hundred into updating my computer a bit...suggestions?

[HeroOfPellinor]

Asus A7N8X
AMD 1800
2 x 256 Crucial PC2100 C2.5
30GB 7200 2MB Cache
Antec True Power 330W
Radeon 9500 Pro

It's been about a year since I've done anything to my computer and I just wanted to spend around $200 (not including what I'll get for selling the parts I replace) getting it a little more up to date. What would be the best investment of money as far as adding to performance?

 

[Confused]

Get a AMD XP2500+, and 2x512MB PC3200 memory

The rest of your bits are fine for now


Confused

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: Confused
Get a AMD XP2500+, and 2x512MB PC3200 memory

The rest of your bits are fine for now


Confused

very good advice

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: ScrapSilicon

Originally posted by: Confused
Get a AMD XP2500+, and 2x512MB PC3200 memory

The rest of your bits are fine for now


Confused

very good advice

That's what I was thinking. Any dual channel issues with running ram and cpu at different frequencies that would make it better to go with PC2700?

Thanks.

 

[Confused]

Nope. Go with PC3200, and you can overclock the processor quite nicely if you wish

Otherwise, run the FSB @ 400MHz (200x2) and knock the multiplier of the CPU down so you're not getting any extra overall speed, but your system will fly


Confused

 

[Serp86]

1700+ tbredB (overclock it, of course - it will surpass the 2500+ stock speed), 2x512Mb RAM, and use the extra cash for a larger HD.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Well, since I wanted to run at 400 fsb, I decided to sell off my current computer with my Rev.1.04 A7N8X and add that to the $200 I was planning to spend. I kept my vid card and PSU, Got $200 for the rest of my system, bought $40 classic-Chieftec-looking case from CompUSA, 2500+ for $79, AN35N Ultra for $62, 2x512 Mushkin Basic PC3200 for $164, and got the Zalman CNP7000A-CU HSF for $43 and an Artic Cooling VGA Cooler for $13, 120GB 8MB cache Maxtor HD for $40 (ATHD special ).

Attached the HSF last night and will finish with the rest tonight. Was only over budget by half the price of the second stick of RAM which I figured I'd spring for now when I could be assured they'd be matching sticks. I may also pick up some rubber washers to cut down on noise even further. Also need some case fans, but I have some cheapo NMB that will suffice until I find a good deal on some better ones like SilenX or Pabst or maybe Panaflo.

 

[imported_Phil]

If you want to cut down on noise, I bought a Zalman fan with the 5.5v cable in the box, it's pretty damned quiet. I added a silica gel-like "sleeve" to the fan that sits between the case and the fan, and one for the PSU too. The reduction in noise wasn't amazing, but for a few pounds it's pretty good
For the sleeve, I got them from overclockers.co.uk, they're made by Vantec but I don't know where you'd get them in the US. Newegg maybe?

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Yeah, Antec sells similar things in their noise killer kits.

I started this thing up and the memory was detected at 400 fsb, but the processor was recognized as an 1100+. I went into the BIOS setup and as soon as I selected the advanced settings, the BIOS automatically set the CPU fsb to Optimal which was 400. I changed a few of the options, saved, and exited and suddenly the processor was a 3200+. I was impressed at how well the Shuttle MB handled that. Easiest overclock ever.

 

[Davegod]

Originally posted by: DopeFiend
I added a silica gel-like "sleeve" to the fan that sits between the case and the fan, and one for the PSU too. The reduction in noise wasn't amazing, but for a few pounds it's pretty good
For the sleeve, I got them from overclockers.co.uk, they're made by Vantec but I don't know where you'd get them in the US. Newegg maybe?

At first I thought you meant the washer things at the top, I was about to call you a gimp for paying £3 for a couple of bloody rubber washers . The vantec thing is same price but theres rather more of it so not quite so obscene

bet they cost max 10p to make though. wonder if some of that bath sealant silica stuff might make for a ghetto version...#

 

[imported_Phil]

Yeah they probably do cost that little, sadly. Still, it's not a bad thing to be paying for- I've cut the whiney noise of my PC in approximately half, and I'm happy with that so far.
I would go for a Zalman Flower cooler but I don't have great ventilation in my rubbish case at the moment, so I'm stuck with an 80mm slow-spinning CPU cooler and a rather noisy 235W PSU. Time for a Zalman 400W, methinks