best bang for my buck

[bigdogdon]

I know upgrades have been discussed quite a bit generally, but I am considering specific upgrades and would like to hear your opinions.

I do mostly office-type applications, web design, and some multimedia stuff, but no heavy gaming. I triple-boot between Windows 2000, Windows XP Pro, and Linux.

Option 1:
Upgrade the CPU in my current system to an Athlon XP 2600+ 266FSB (fastest processor the motherboard supports). The motherboard is an ECS K7VZA, with an Athlon T-bred 1.0GHZ cpu. Current memory is 640MB of PC133 SDRAM (2x256, 1x128). I've battled stability issues (in Windows XP only), though all seems to be good right now.
Cost=less than $85
Would I even notice a difference with this option?

Option 2:
Upgrade to a 939 motherboard, such as the Epox 9NDA3+, with an Athlon 64 3200+ CPU and 1GB (2x512) of PC3200 DDR SDRAM.
Cost=$450 to $500
I do like building computers and have done some overclocking. I'm willing to spend some $$ just for the fun of tinkering with a new system, but do you think option 2 will blow my socks off?

Thanks for your opinions,

bigdogdon
(long-time lurker)

 

[DAPUNISHER]

You would definitely see a big difference between the 2600+ and 1ghz CPU when CPU power is needed. If you have older 2mb cache HDDs or even worse 5400RPM, then moving to a 8mb cache HDD would add some nice performance on the cheap too.

939 is going to obviously slaughter either of those but as you stated it'll be costly to do it. This way you don't have to do a fresh install and stuff either.

 

[bigdogdon]

Thanks Dapunisher, that's the kind of info. I was looking for.

 

[Peter]

You want to check whether your K7VZA is the newer revision v3.x or the original v1.x. The latter uses the KT133 chipset, which doesn't have 133 MHz CPU bus support. Also, check for bulging or leaking capacitors, and throw an eye on the fine print on the power supply - you need strong 5V and 3.3V supplies with those old boards that don't use the extra 12V connector for CPU power.

Option 2b: Socket-754, A64-2800+.

Having just switched from XP2400+ to the new platform, I must say the new one is LOADS faster although actually running at a lower speed (1800 MHz vs. 2000).

 

[gobucks]

if you like overclocking, you'll love socket 939. The new 3000+ and 3200+ CPUs (1.8GHz and 2.0GHz respectively) are fantastic overclockers, often reaching 2.6GHz with good air cooling. Also, when you want another upgrade, you can always go dual core (socket compatible with a bios upgrade). And, with nForce4 mobos on the way, and PCIe coming along with it, it's getting to be a good time to buy a system with a lot of future left in it.

As for the first situation, a 2600+ will help out some, but it will likely be a bit bottlenecked by the slow memory access. After all, it has half the bandwidth of the slowest DDR around, so you're looking at a system with a CPU:RAM ratio of about 20:1, not exactly ideal.

 

[bigdogdon]

So you went from an Athlon XP 2400+ to an Athlon 64 2800+ and noticed definite improvment in load time? I would imagine the difference between the 754 and 939 sockets would not be as noticable, but the price differential has become much smaller. I tend to hold on to the hardware for a long time, so the 939 would be more upgradeable in the future. I just want to make sure that my upgrade feels zippier.

Originally posted by: Peter
You want to check whether your K7VZA is the newer revision v3.x or the original v1.x. The latter uses the KT133 chipset, which doesn't have 133 MHz CPU bus support. Also, check for bulging or leaking capacitors, and throw an eye on the fine print on the power supply - you need strong 5V and 3.3V supplies with those old boards that don't use the extra 12V connector for CPU power.

Option 2b: Socket-754, A64-2800+.

Having just switched from XP2400+ to the new platform, I must say the new one is LOADS faster although actually running at a lower speed (1800 MHz vs. 2000).

 

[Steve]

LOL....not load time, just a lot faster overall (it is loads faster = it is a lot faster).

 

[bigdogdon]

Oh yah, I get it... it feels zippier, LOL.
Sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees...

 

[bigdogdon]

Ok, I decided on option 1, Athlon XP 2600+ for $79 shipped from Acortech.

Then in a couple of months when the socket 939 boards get more mature, I'll revisit option 2. That should scratch my upgrade itches.

Thanks for your opinions,

bigdogdon