What to get

[TQB]

I am currently in the process of building a new gaming rig. But now its time to decide on a processer and mobo for it.
I have kinda narrowed it down to 2 choices for a cpu mobo combo:
AMD 2500+ Barton with a Abit NF7-S Mobo
or
AMD 64 3000+ with a Asus K8T800 Deluxe Mobo.

I was wandering what you guys think would be the wiser choice for the money. I am looking to get something that will last about 1 1/2 years before needing upgraded. I am leaning heavily towards the Barton 2500+ because I can get it all for 180 bucks where as I will pay that much just for a MoBo for the 64 bit and that is something that isnt even being used yet.

So would you guys that have the either one of these or have experiance please give me some incite. I am very skeptical about paying major bucks for new stuff when in 6 months it will be way cheaper and behind the times so to speak.

This is what I will be adding this CPU and MOBO to:
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP
Mushkin 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 Level One Dual Pack
Western Digital Special Edition 120GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model WD1200JB
Asus 16X DVD-ROM Drive, Model DVD-E616P1
ANTEC Performance Plus Case with 430W Power Supply
ViewSonic E90f+SB 19" PerfectFlat CRT Monitor
Cyber Acoustics CA-3090 Flat Panel 2.1 Speakers

 

[McArra]

I would get either A64 rig or 2500/2600 Mobile and overclock it. My main recomendation anyway is A64 if you've got the money.

 

[TQB]

You have to run Windows XP to use the AMD 64's right?

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: TQB
You have to run Windows XP to use the AMD 64's right?

I believe not, you haven't. But that's not a problem since Win XP is the best windows OS by far.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: TQB
You have to run Windows XP to use the AMD 64's right?

Yes and no. You can use an A64 with any version of Windows 98 you want, but you can't use the 64-bit ability of the processor until you have a 64-bit operating system, and even Windows XP isn't 64-bit. Now, Microsoft was offering a free-for-one-year 64-bit beta version of XP. Here's the link: okay, I no longer have it. Anyway, having a processor that will run 64-bit code isn't going to make anything faster until you have not only a 64-bit OS, but also 64-bit software to run on that OS. Until then, it's just a fast 32-bit processor.

 

[myocardia]

Oh, btw, where in the world did you get the idea that you would need a socket 940 motherboard to run an Athlon64? The only Athlon64 that uses socket 940 is the $750 FX-51 and the ~$800 FX-53. The ones you're considering buying are socket 754, and newegg carries socket 754 motherboards for less than $100. Link to newegg: link.

 

[TQB]

No I knew I needed the 754 but the ASUS K8T800 Deluxe is 140 bucks. Thats what I was refering to.

 

[lookouthere]

don't get A64.....get Prescott 2.8Ghz 800FSB, not the 533FSB version....it will scale very good

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: lookouthere
don't get A64.....get Prescott 2.8Ghz 800FSB, not the 533FSB version....it will scale very good

That would mean less performance an similar price

 

[im2good4u]

get the Northwood rather than the Prescott, they seem to run hot and have some minor troubles in O/C'ing

 

[LostInSpace927]

lol@ thread jacking. The man/woman wants AMD not Intel.

 

[gil11542]

recent chips I have had,still have the 2100 & 2600 mobile

2100+ @2.3gig
2500+ @2.3gig
2600+mobile@2.5 gig

AMD=More bang for the BUCK

 

[Ronnie]

TQB

I have the barton and the amd64, whichever system you pick your going to be happy. If you decide on the barton I would get a mobile chips for it great oc potiential. The amd64 runs great at stock speeds and I have no problem running mine at 2.3. So it all come down to how much you want to spend.

 

[DoobieOnline]

Hey TQB, if you are thinking along the Barton 2500+ lines, get a mobile chip instead. I have seen a couple of non-mobile Barton 2500+ chips not get to 11 x 200 lately so there may be a trend developing. Any of the mobile chips should easily make it to 11 x 200 and run a little cooler since you don't have to use as much voltage to get there.

Of course, if you can afford A64 you should go that route. The 3200+ A64 is very appealing since it has 1MB cache. Looking at your specs, any way you decide to go will be a great system.

Doobie