What processor upgrade for an Athlon XP 1800+ system?

[FPSguy]

I would like to keep my Socket A motherboard but speed up the everyday operation of my Athlon XP 1800+ system. I have 512MB of Crucial RAM and a Radeon 9700 video card. The system is moderately overclocked. I am using Windows XP. What new processor do you recommend to speed up the system?

I would prefer not to purchase a new motherboard, but if the speed increase from a faster Athlon XP or Sempron processor is not going to be substantial I might consider a new motherboard.

Budget for a processor-only upgrade: < $100
Budget for a motherboard + processor upgrade: < $200

Overclocking is fine with me, but I don't necessarily want the best overclocking chip - I want the most speed increase for my money (which could, for example, involve a higher speed chip with a moderate overclock).

What do you say?

 

[imported_Kiwi]

Same thing anyone asking something similar to your question gets the last several months. Go for an XP-M because it's unlocked, and you can play with the multiplier after finding what the max fsb you can reach is.

 

[o1die]

I wouldn't buy an unlocked "m" or "barton mobile" unless your motherboard has multiplier adjustments. Otherwise, you're stuck at the lowest setting, usually 600 hertz.

 

[Mogadon]

They have abit nf7-s rev.2 going on amazon for about 89 bucks, that's where i picked up mine a little while back.

Couple it with an XP-M and you'll be rocking for about 180 bucks.

 

[overst33r]

Or...you could get a AMD Athlon? 64 processor 2800+* Retail and a Chaintech VNF3-250 nForce3 and be going faster and more future proof! ~180 shipped

 

[FPSguy]

Thanks all! The motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-7VAX (VIA KT400 chipset; CPU multiplier adjustable by DIP switch).

I dug up the following information from the Overclockers.com CPU database (prices are from newegg.com). It looks like the 2500+ is the best deal. Is it for sure unlocked? Does anyone here think another chip would be preferable? Any suggestions for a heatsink/fan if my heatsink isn't up to the task? I can't remember which heatsink is on that machine right now.

XP-M 2600+ - Avg. Overclock 2558 (sample size = 28)
Model/Price: AXMG2600FQQ4C - OEM - $100.99
XP-M 2500+ - Avg. Overclock 2565 (sample size = 28)
Model/Price: AXMH2500FQQ4C - OEM - $85.00
XP-M 2400+ - Avg. Overclock 2584 (sample size = 12)
Model/Price: AXMD2400FJQ4C - OEM - $98.99
Model/Price: AXMH2400FQQ4C - OEM - $77.99
XP-M 2200+ - Avg. Overclock 1958 (sample size = 1)
Model/Price: AXMD2200FJQ4C - OEM - $78.00

 

[sangyup81]

Well you are already limited by having a kt400 motherboard since it does not officially support 200fsb and does not have pci lock.

Just go for the Athlon 64 mobo combo

 

[sangyup81]

But instead of going for the a64 2800+, get the sempron 2600+ (remember to get socket 754 not socket A) and then overclock it. I've gotten it from 1.6ghz to 2.4ghz. The VNF3 should be adequate.

s754 Sempron 2600+ $75
Chaintech VNF3 $60

Total Cost $135

A way better value than just upgrading the CPU for you. You can sell me your motherboard if you'd like.

 

[FPSguy]

Originally posted by: sangyup81
Well you are already limited by having a kt400 motherboard since it does not officially support 200fsb and does not have pci lock.

Just go for the Athlon 64 mobo combo

Ugh! You are right! I haven't had to deal with the absence of a PCI lock in a while and forgot about it. It looks like the best I could do would be to set the system bus around 166 and put the multiplier at Auto (i.e., the default 14x of the chip) for a 2324 CPU speed. That's not a bad increase over my current 1753, but it's not as much as I was hoping for.

 

[sangyup81]

Join the K8 architecture! You do not know the power of the K8 architecture.

Seriously, when I switched over, my eyes were wide open at how quickly windows booted and how snappy it was to use my computer. The reason for this I found out later is that AMD put the memory controller directly on the CPU rather than have it go all the way from the North Bridge which greatly reduced latencies.

Just shell out the extra $35 or better yet, sell me your old mobo and CPU so I can put it together to donate to an NGO I am working with. =)

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I had the same dilema with a socket A 1.4 tbird. It really isn't worth trying to upgrade that mobo, save a few more bucks and make the jump to socket 939 you won't be sorry.

 

[cartmann]

I with sangyup81, the K8 is the better option! really! I think the option to change to an xp-m doesn´t do any sense, since you will stay with an old platform!
so, that´s my opinion! and sorry for my english! hehe bye!

 

[zerocool84]

i got a 64-3000+ and Chaintech VNF3-250 nForce3 mobo for $180 but we dont know if you want to play games or not or just want a faster computer, mine as well just get the sempron if you dont play games

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: sangyup81
s754 Sempron 2600+ $75
Chaintech VNF3 $60

Total Cost $135

A way better value than just upgrading the CPU for you.

Agreed, and this combo should also be fine with whatever PSU you have.

 

[SonicIce]

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4465546?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
3000+ and the ECS 755A-2 motherboard. its solid but no APG/PCI locks so forget overclocking.