What needs to change in my system??

[Trevelyan]

Ok, well, I used to just buy parts for my computer based on what was cheapest on Pricewatch. But alas, now all that cheapness has caught up with me, and several components failed. Needless to say, I'm trying to make my computer very stable and sleek, buying quality products, not buying monitors at flea markets, etc.

Anyways, my current system is below. Basically, what should be the next upgrade for me?

- Black "Hydraulic" Case from Directron.com w/ 300Watt PSU (not sure of the brand, though)
- Epox 8K7A Motherboard
- AMD 1.33ghz Tbird
- 512MB Crucial PC2100 CL2.5 RAM
- Aopen 8X CDRW Drive
- Western Digital 40GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
- Gainward GF4 Ti4200 64MB AGP Graphics Card
- Turtle Beach Santa Cruz Sound Card
- Logitech Z560s Speaker System
- Hitachi 19" CM721F Black Monitor
- Bump-brand floppy drive
- Off brand 10/100BT NIC
- Bump-brand Black keyboard
- Microsoft Intellimouse Optical


So, I was thinking about maybe getting a nice black CDRW drive, maybe 40X. Other considerations would be a new wireless, black keyboard and mouse, but I don't know where to begin with that. Also, maybe the PSU could use an upgrade, and maybe the off-brand NIC as well.

So as far as asthetics/reliability goes, I'm debating over upgrading: CDRW drive, Mouse/Keyboard, NIC, and PSU.

As far as performance goes, maybe the CPU is my bottleneck?

So, in closing... please tell me all your valuable opinions.

 

[corkyg]

Personally, I would go with a new mobo/CPU combo, such as Asus A7VS333 + AMD XP 2100

 

[RemyCanad]

I agree with corky I would get a new mobo/cpu/hsf combo. I would also upgrade that PSU to something that is AMD approved. I recomend Atnec but there are many other good brands.

 

[Trevelyan]

Ok, new motherboard combo, eh?

Any reason why my current motherboard can't stay with me and just upgrade the CPU?

 

[ucdbiendog]

I used to have the epox 8kha+, and i personally loved the board, i just needed somethin with more speed, as it isnt the fastest board out there. But it is extremely stable. Personally, I would upgrade your CDRW drive to a plextor if you do a lot of burning, probably a 24x10x40, upgrade the CPU, and get rid of that weak 300W psu. My next PSU will be the antec true550, I've heard the true power series is awesome. Other than that, maybe a bigger hard drive if oyu need the space, the western digital 120 gb special edition is an excellent drive🙂. Hope that helps.

 

[CubicZirconia]

I would upgrade your CDRW drive to a plextor

I wouldn't bother with Plextor. Get a lite-on instead. They're cheaper and just as good.

 

[Siddhartha]

Whats appls do you run?
Why do you want to upgrade?
Are you having problems with your current system?
How much do you want to spend?

 

[Athlon4all]

Performance wise, the CPU is prolly ok, its the chipset that idf u got a KT266A/KT333/nForce mobo, that would increase performance a tad in games, but it really all depends on as Dr Smooth asked, what apps do you use?

 

[Cuda1447]

Yah I agree Upgrade that CPU/Mobo. And then after that you can get a good CD burner REAL Cheap (in some cases free) if you check out the Hot Deals Forum. Great deals there.

 

[Trevelyan]

Ok, sounds like I know what I should do then. I'm not really having a whole lot of stability issues, it's just that I get errors every once in awhile that are so freakin' annoying...

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[anthrax]

What should you upgrade next? well, I guess you should wait a while after all, with your current config you should get around 7800+ 3dmark 2002 marks...With the current generation of top line equipment....if you change your mobo and CPU to XP 2100...you will only be lookin at a 3dmark of around 9400 with a GF4 ti4200......for the cost involved, i don't think its worth the cash for a upgrade now...

 

[Boonesmi]

personally i would get an epox 8k3a+ with an athlonxp 1800+ - 2200+ depending on how much you want to spend

but also get a good powersupply (low quality powersupplies can be the cause of all kinds of odd problems, including instability)

 

[microAmp]

If I were upgrading a componet in that computer you have, and I burned a lot of things.... it's a given burner. Look into Lite-On's not sure about the 40x though, thought I heard something not good abou them.... the 32x haven't heard any problems, let alone I have a 32x and happy with it.

If the PSU isn't giving you any problems, don't worry about. But do look into what brand it is and check the amperage it can crank out to see if it'll support faster CPU's.

I have a 1.2 TBird on a KT266A chipset and satisfied it, I may wish I had a Ti4xxx instead of Ti200 but it does me well and a video card upgrade will be my next move instead of a faster CPU, epecially after seeing a CPU scaling on different video cards. That 1.33 TBird can last you longer like December when Doom 3 comes out (if you play that kind of game). Then CPU prices will be a lot cheaper then, faster CPU's will be out.

 

[bjc112]

For once i don't see ANY point at all to upgrade his mobo... He has a nice performing rig already, If he does upgrade and go to a new chipset, he will gain what may-b 5 %? Just get your burner, and a new CPU if u want...

I don't see wasting another 100 or so on a new mobo, just get a northwood if your doing all that! 😛

Good Luck...