Want to buy new computery bits...

[Apollyon]

Ok, I've got the cash and want to buy some parts for my computer.

Here's my setup:

512 DDR

19" visible screen monitor (might be 20 actually...)

1.4ghz AMD athlon XP

Geforce 2 MX (Argh!)

Sound Blaster Live... something or other... not rly sure

Surround sound 4 speaker setup

DVD Writer jobby

20 GB HDD (Hopefully I can deal with this without resorting to paying money...)

Some crappy Mobo (Asus)

Well... what would you recommend?

The graphics card is crappy I know but I don't really want to upgrade it as the newer cards would pretty much wipe my leisure-cash out (a good

[gryphon]

I'm guessing grafics card. If your budget is 350 pounds, you could sacrefiece 100 or so and buy a good one. Doesn't have to be top of the line.

[GhostHunter]

The Geforce4 Ti 4800 is about 120 USD currently....Other than that I can't see a real urgency to upgrade much else..

[Nyarlathotep]

What's the main thing you want to do ? Gaming ? family stuff ?

[Apollyon]

Well I use it for all kind of things but gaming is the only one which is really processor-stressing enough to matter. If you guys really think it's graphics card I need, I'll go nick one from a different computer downstairs (Geforce FX 5900) and buy myself a nice new HDD.

[Nyarlathotep]

If the main thing is gaming, I would change processor and mobo, together with graphics card.

The graphics card doesn't have to be top of the line. In my new system I currently use my old GeForce 3 (first version) and I can still play any game on high detail. Obviously my processor and mobo are top of the line. Together with that, depending on what your current ram type is, you may want to change that. I think ram will be the cheapest change.

Aprt from that, a somewhat bigger (or extra) harddrive won't do you any harm. The rest of your setup you can keep, no need in changing anything there.

[Apollyon]

ok processors:

Athlon XP 3000+ 512Kb SoA 333FSB

Mfr code: AXDA3000DKV4D

Quicklinx: 2CYLWS

3-4 days

[Nyarlathotep]

If you're not a top of the line person, the XP 3000+ will fit your needs perfectly. The difference with the XP 3200+ is that that one has a faster bus speed (200Mhz, instead of 166Mhz). Here's the latest test on most of the latest processors (notice the new Intel 800FSB processors). Also, I noticed that with the XP 3200+ it says box, which means it comes with a cooler. Make sure it's the same for the XP 3000+.

For AMD Athlon motherboards, check out this test. These motherboards offer the latest chipset and will be able to provide extra speed with your processor, opposed to the "older" boards.

If you ever decide to go for Intel, look for the Asus P4P800 DeLuxe, or Asus P4C800 DeLuxe. These boards I know from experience and they are excellent !

If you're going to buy ram, make sure the modules are capable of running with a CL of 2 (or 2.5). This will increase the ability to overclock things easy, or at least at default level have a noticable speed increase opposed to modules with a CL of 3 (I can't stress this enough).

As for the graphics card, like GhostHunter said, the GeForce Ti4800 will do wonders and isn't that expensive compared to the new cards that are out now.

Hope this all helps :)

[Apollyon]

Is the huge price difference really worth the extra 34Mhz in bus speed? As for graphics I'll use a GeforceFX 5900. I can get 512 MB RAM for

[Nyarlathotep]

Well I guess you won't run into any probs with the GeForce FX 5900.. I'm jealous :)

Is it worth the price difference.. If you're a hardcore gamer, I would say yes. If not, nah, the XP 3000+ will do just fine.

No matter what the price of ram is, make sure you ask for ram with CL2 (or 2.5) ! The price difference between this type of ram and those with CL3 or 4 isn't that big (5 - 10 pounds more I think), but it'll give you a performance boost.

No, I would make sure you get a new fan with the new processor. The newer processors require more cooling. Todays new cooling fans have more RPM (rotation per minute). In some cases the fan adapts to the temprature.

[Cybopache]

AMD got another way of naming their cpu speed than Intel.Intel as u know use mhz,AMD using e.g 3000+ ,that means that 3000+ is working atleast at the same speed as Intels 3.0 ghz,comprende mate ::)

Cybo

[Nyarlathotep]

AMD got another way of naming their cpu speed than Intel.Intel as u know use mhz,AMD using e.g 3000+ ,that means that 3000+ is working atleast at the same speed as Intels 3.0 ghz,comprende mate ::)

Cybo

No it isn't.

[Apollyon]

AMD got another way of naming their cpu speed than Intel.Intel as u know use mhz,AMD using e.g 3000+ ,that means that 3000+ is working atleast at the same speed as Intels 3.0 ghz,comprende mate ::)

Cybo

Lol. No way.

[Cybopache]

Yes as they say in an article I`ve just read in an Danish Pc magasin.Sorry can`t post anything of the article cause it`s in Danish and I don`t have a scanner.I`ll come back with a translation tho.

Cybo

[Apollyon]

3000+ is *not* 3Ghz.

1800+ = 1.53Ghz

2700+ = 2.17Ghz

3200+ = 2.2Ghz

http://www.dabs.com/products/prod-search.asp?action=search&stab=ref&ob=manufacturer&cs=Home

[Apollyon]

As for mobos would this be ok?:

SoA nForce 2 ATX A V 2L R

[Cybopache]

Theres been a misunderstanding here,I did+nt say that 3000+ is 3ghz,I said it ops..my foult,it means that the preformance is aprox to Intels 3ghz.

Cybo

[Apollyon]

Still wrong:

http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20030521/800fsb-09.html

[Nyarlathotep]

Cybopache, currently AMD is losing the battle concerning the processor speed against Intel. Their latest processor, the XP 3200+ is no match for Intel's 3.2Ghz (or 3.06 for that matter). They simply fall behind. For AMD's sake I hope their new processor will do what they promise.

Apollyon, as for the graphics card, either wait for the GeForce FX5900 (Ultra), or if that's to expensive, go for the GeForce Ti4800.

As for your motherboard, check out these test results for nForce2 chipset motherboards.

[Cybopache]

Apolly, ure right,I bow my unknowing head hehe,the article I read was talking about AMD`s in the early days ::) (U know the speed they having in developing!) Well just take a look at my signature,says everything hehe ;D

[Apollyon]

Lol, Cybo. :)

Doc, I've looked at many benchmark tests around the net and many of them state the newest radeon as far better than the geforce FX. What are your thoughts?

[Nyarlathotep]

Todays graphics cards don't differ that much. You talk about few frames here and there, which the human eye can't notice anyway.

There is a big difference in support though (in my opinion anyway). Nvidia has a much better driver support then ATi ever had/ever will have. Only for that I would say go for Nvidia..

[number6]

[quote author=(

[Cybopache]

Ok I dare moving out on the thin ice again,hehe.One of my friends did buy a radeon 9500 card,and it turn out that it actually was a 9800 card.I think it was ATI`s production.But I think they found out of it so there wasn`t many that did reach us users,they did their changes quicly tho.

Cybo