My current setup needs an update. My epox mobo isn't cutting it anymore, its buggy even with the latest drivers and bios updates.
Current setup:
Epox 8K5A2+
AMD Athlon XP 1600+ (@1.75ghz, 166fsb)
512 PC2700 Kingston memory
Geforce 4 Ti4200
ect, ect
Anyway, I would like to get a new mobo/cpu combo to speed (and stabalize) things up a bit. I would like stay with AMD and go with an NForce 2 chipset. I would like things to run cool because I am ditching the 80mm Tornado on top of my SK-7 for something less "extreme". If possible I would like to be able to use my SK-7 HS with the new cpu. I will continue using my kingston RAM for now even if it wont be up to speed. NForce2 and a newer cpu will run with PC2700, right?
I do have a budget at around $200 or less. I would like to be able to handle the next gen games (HL2) with this setup, obviously I will need a new video card and more RAM but I'm not concerned with that right now. I will probably do some overclocking, but a stable setup is very important.
I know a while ago the best bang for the buck was the 2500 Barton with the Abit NF7-S. I don't know how much has changed since then.
So to sum it up:
AMD
Stable
'Cool' running (I dont know what the newer cpu's run at as far as temps go)
Will allow me to keep my current RAM and possibly my heatsink.
Any thoughts or input would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Current setup:
Epox 8K5A2+
AMD Athlon XP 1600+ (@1.75ghz, 166fsb)
512 PC2700 Kingston memory
Geforce 4 Ti4200
ect, ect
Anyway, I would like to get a new mobo/cpu combo to speed (and stabalize) things up a bit. I would like stay with AMD and go with an NForce 2 chipset. I would like things to run cool because I am ditching the 80mm Tornado on top of my SK-7 for something less "extreme". If possible I would like to be able to use my SK-7 HS with the new cpu. I will continue using my kingston RAM for now even if it wont be up to speed. NForce2 and a newer cpu will run with PC2700, right?
I do have a budget at around $200 or less. I would like to be able to handle the next gen games (HL2) with this setup, obviously I will need a new video card and more RAM but I'm not concerned with that right now. I will probably do some overclocking, but a stable setup is very important.
I know a while ago the best bang for the buck was the 2500 Barton with the Abit NF7-S. I don't know how much has changed since then.
So to sum it up:
AMD
Stable
'Cool' running (I dont know what the newer cpu's run at as far as temps go)
Will allow me to keep my current RAM and possibly my heatsink.
Any thoughts or input would be appreciated.
Thank you.