Williamette Dilemma

[Colebert]

Currently I am running this core setup with i received from the intel retail promo 1.5 years ago. it has served me real well:

P4 1.7 Williamette
Intel D850GBCAL (on board lan/audio)
512MB PC800 RDRAM

I am building a new computer but gutting the old system's SCSI storage system and video card. its gonna be a

P4 2.6C (hopefully O/Ced to the moon)
Gigabyte 8KNXP
1GB Crucial DDR400


Since I have most of the core components I want to keep the old system, slap a couple big IDEs in it and run it as a 24/7 DVD transcoding box. But I want to squeeze out alot more from the 1.7 chip which I can't do with the intel board. What should I do?

A) Keep the current setup and live with it.
B) Replace the M/B with something that can actually overclock
C) Sell the setup and use the proceeds to get on a 478 platform

I'm leaning towards B or C. If I choose B, whats would be the best 423 board to get and how much do you think I could squeeze out of the retail williamette cpu and name brand (samsung) PC800? If I choose C, how much would I have to sink in to get something comparable in performance?

All advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I vote C

 

[MasterHoss]

Vote for C.

 

[OverVolt]

C, you won't get much more out of that 1.7Ghz willy, 2.1Ghz the willamette core maxes out, so i'd say 2.0Ghz tops which isn't worth the upgrade.

Def go with C, willamette's can get a premium price for some reason. I bet you can get like $70+ bucks for that thing since there in the hundreds from online retailers.

Good luck on the upgrade bud.

EDIT said same thing twice

 

[Colebert]

thanks. keep the recs comin'.


follow up:

should i keep with the i850 platform and holdon to the RDRAM?

 

[Colebert]

more feedback!!

 

[dexvx]

You could buy a socket423 -> 478 adapter.

It depends on how satisfied you are. Its either A or C.

 

[Colebert]

thats a real good point. can't believe i didn't think of that!

 

[EdipisReks]

C.