Help me choose my Intel P-4 C upgrade

[Zakman3]

Ok, here's the deal. Currently running a :

P-4 2.4C
1GB Crucial PC3200
Intel865PERLLK
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
1x 36 GB Raptor
1x 100 GB WD SE 8 mb
1 x120 GB WD SE 8 mb
Antec Sonata

I'm trying to figure out if it would be best to upgrade my processor to a:

1/P-4 3.2C Northwood (around 230$??)
2/P-4 3.2E Prescott (around 200$?)

OR

Add 1GB of PC3200 RAM for 2GB in total.

I plan to use this machine primarily for Photoshop. Used to be a gamer but photography (DSLRs) have taken over my free time, and I'm tired of wasting precious seconds waiting for my RAW files to be converted, etc. Please let me know which processor is best suited to this upgrade. I would upgrade the mobo-cpu to an Athlon 64 setup but have no desire to upgrade my video card as well at this time.

Thanks everyone!

PS- If you have a 3.2C for sale and are in or near Toronto, let me know...

 

[apoppin]

have you considered o/c'ing? The 2.4c is often quite capable of 3+Ghz with 100% stability.

if you don't o/c, i'd consider the NW for its cooler running unless things have changed with the Prescotts.

IF i upgrade MY current 2.80c @ 3.31Ghz, i'd go for the 3.2C and try to reach 3.6 or 3.7Ghz.

 

[qbackin]

Yeah stick with Northwood. Nice stable speeds at excellent temps.
Going with the Prescott means an upgrade to the cooling system, as they run HOT.
But Prescotts put up serious numbers upon serious cooling

If you are using Value ram why not get another stick. Prices are great lately...

 

[Zakman3]

I should have clarified: OCing isn't possible since I have an Intel mobo

Also, I'm running a Zalman CNPS 7000 (Al) cooler so I figure I already have a heavy duty heatsink. The only trouble I have is that those Northwoods are so difficult to find- damn Intel for cutting us off!

 

[Duvie]

I say you need both really...the 2gb we really help when dealing with large files and multiple filtering....But the main thing is cpu speed translates almost linear in this app so 3.2ghz is 33.3% faster and will translate to 30% gains in performance....


How about sell the INtel board...pick up a Abit IC7 or IS7 on the forums and so the mobo upgrade will be small...Then get the 1gb memory upgrade and OC the chip....

If you have the retail box of the cpu read us the codes on it and we can figure how good an ocer this can be...A lot of them hit 3.2ghz regularly without much voltage at all...if you can keep the vcore close to default the stock cooler should still work and the it wont be as much a drain on the PSU...


Basically if it is an either or thing this plan can give you potentially all of the above plus a faster platform....

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Zakman3
I should have clarified: OCing isn't possible since I have an Intel mobo

Also, I'm running a Zalman CNPS 7000 (Al) cooler so I figure I already have a heavy duty heatsink. The only trouble I have is that those Northwoods are so difficult to find- damn Intel for cutting us off!

i am looking for a 3.2 or 3.4c . . . . only the 3.2c is on Pricewatch and evidently NewEgg still carries them for $277.

i am also considering selling my 2.80c and buying a used 3.4c off FS/T

i'd like an Upgrade too. . . . in fact, YOUR thread inspired me to make THIS ONE in CPU/OC'ing:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http:// Looking for a (final) upgrade for Abit IC7]http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=1594178&ente
lt;b">lt;b">thread=y">Last "Best" Northwood O/Cer? [highest Ghz</a>

Looks like Duvie found it too.
:thumbsup:
3.0c M0 Stepping 30 cap CPU gives the highest O/C - maybe 3.8Ghz!
cheaper too!