Time To Upgrade

[JE78]

Got my tax returns back to so I wanted to upgrade my CPU and Mobo and maybe get another stick of PC3200 to replace my PC2700. My current setup is:

CPU: P4 2.53ghZ
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-8SG667
Ram: 2x512, 1 PC2700 and 1 PC3200
Video: ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
HDD: 2 200gb WD ATA
Sound: Sound Blaster Live 5.1
PSU: ENERMAX 460W Whisper II
Optical: NEC 3500 DVD-RW, 12x DVD-ROM
Fans: 4 80mm Case Fans

I'd want to goto an AMD setup. Looking at the AMD Athlon 64 3200+ right now. Not sure which is the best core to get. I've never over clocked anything either. I'd like to keep the price range around $300 give or take a little.

 

[Kid Vicious]

Winchester. no doubt. they run cooler and are more energy efficient.

AMD 64 3200 90nm Winchester

you might want to wait a bit longer tho. a new athlon 64 'venice' core with some new features is due out in april.

 

[JE78]

Thanks for the info I'll keep an eye on the new 'venice' core. Can anyone sugguest a good mobo?

 

[ribbon13]

Budget? or high-end gamer?

Chaintech VNF4 Zenith is a good budget board.
the DFI Lanparty SLI-DR is a great gamer board.

 

[JE78]

little bit of both. Like I said, i'd like to keep it around the $300 mark if possible for the CPU and Mobo. But let me know what your thinking of, I won't rule anything out.

 

[JE78]

any help would be appreciated guys. Thanks

 

[ribbon13]

$189 AMD ADA3200BIBOX
$119 Gigabyte GA-K8NF-9

How's that? You would have to get a new GPU also. If you want to keep your current GPU, I'd reccomend socket 754.

$85 Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR
$219.00 AMD ADA3400AXBOX
This is the best bang for your buck combo out there.

 

[DanDaMan315]

I'd get a DFI Ultra and a 3200+ personally, this combo can overclock like madness. Although it'll be more around the $400 mark, but it's worth it IMO.

 

[JE78]

Thanks guys. Not sure what a GPU is could someone elobrate on that for me? Thanks.

 

[ribbon13]

graphicss processing unit
aka
video card

 

[imported_Kensai]

I'd go with an MSI K8N Neo4 SLI.

 

[Markfw]

GPU=graphics processor, or VIDEO CARD

 

[JE78]

Well unfortunatly my video card isn't going to get an upgrade for another few month, I just upgraded to it last OCT. So am I limited to a good mobo because I need a APG slot?

 

[ribbon13]

get the Soltek and 3400+ i linked earlier if you want to keep your AGP card. It's the best deal around right now.

 

[JE78]

Thanks ribbon13, i'll look in to. Any other suggestions please let me know.

 

[thunderroller]

is intel out of market??

 

[JE78]

I've had Intel my last 3 computers. I've been hearing good things about AMD so decided i'd give them a try this time around. If you have an Intel setup thats a good deal post it by all means.

 

[Markfw]

Its not the "good deal" The question is, can you deal with the heat ? Do you care about no upgrade path ? I think its good that you have an open mind, as right now AMD is the only way to go.

 

[JE78]

Well I just wanted to see my options. So if there are any other suggestion please post here. But right now i'm pretty sure i'm gonna go with AMD

 

[footbal07]

if you want to keep your video card you would probibly be best getting a 754 newcastle and a nice nf3 mobo. i would suggest getting a 3000+, 512mb corsair valueselect, and a dfi lanparty ut. that would put you right around the $300 mark and give you enough overclocking headroom hold you off for a good while.

 

[JE78]

hows this mother board? http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-136-147&depa=0

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: JE78
hows this mother board? http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-136-147&depa=0

Best 754 overclocker there is.

 

[Markfw]

Its one of the best socket 754 boards. You aren;t going 939 ? (upgradeabiliy)

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Its one of the best socket 754 boards. You aren;t going 939 ? (upgradeabiliy)

He needs AGP. So he needs 754 unless he wants to dish out money for a new GPU.

And yes, that DFI is an exceptional overclocker.

 

[ribbon13]

He's keeping AGP. 754 has better perfomance per dollar as well. I wish there wasn't any AGP+939 boards. It would make things easier.