Upgrading...what CPU & motherboard to install???

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stuart Chapman
  • Start date Start date
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Stuart Chapman

Hi all.....

I'm looking at upgrading my P3 1GHz system.

I'm pretty much settled on going to a P4 2.4 or 2.6 GHz processor, as for
some reason I feel safer sticking with Intel. I would like recommendations
on motherboards - what are the good ones / what are the bad ones?

- I want 800 Mhz FSB, and DDR RAM
- I don't need/care about RAID. (note below)
- What about SATA? I would consider getting a new SATA HD, as well as
keeping my existing IDE HD. If RAID can work when using both the IDE and
SATA channels, I would consider using my existing HD and a new SATA HD
together.
- Are there any 2.4 / 2.6 GHZ processors that support hyperthreading? (Is
hyperthreading even worthwhile?). What motherboards would support this?
- What are your recommendations on chipsets?
- I'm currently using a GeForce MX440, but this will eventually be upgraded.
I assume all current motherboards have 8x AGP.
- I assume onboard audio is now at least as good as my SoundBlaster Live
card.
- I do general office work, CAD and games.
- I'm running Windows XP Home.

Finally, I am open to suggestion about AMD processors and their respective
motherboards, but I did have bad experiences way back when using an AMD chip
instead of a 486....

I apologise for the crosspost if its bad manners 'round here.

Thanks in advance. Stupot
 
Stuart said:
Hi all.....

I'm looking at upgrading my P3 1GHz system.

I'm pretty much settled on going to a P4 2.4 or 2.6 GHz processor, as
for some reason I feel safer sticking with Intel. I would like
recommendations on motherboards - what are the good ones / what are
the bad ones?

- I want 800 Mhz FSB, and DDR RAM
- I don't need/care about RAID. (note below)
- What about SATA? I would consider getting a new SATA HD, as well as
keeping my existing IDE HD. If RAID can work when using both the IDE
and SATA channels, I would consider using my existing HD and a new
SATA HD together.
- Are there any 2.4 / 2.6 GHZ processors that support hyperthreading?
(Is hyperthreading even worthwhile?). What motherboards would support
this?
- What are your recommendations on chipsets?
- I'm currently using a GeForce MX440, but this will eventually be
upgraded. I assume all current motherboards have 8x AGP.
- I assume onboard audio is now at least as good as my SoundBlaster
Live card.
- I do general office work, CAD and games.
- I'm running Windows XP Home.

Finally, I am open to suggestion about AMD processors and their
respective motherboards, but I did have bad experiences way back when
using an AMD chip instead of a 486....
Click to expand...

I'm glad you are open to suggestions about AMD, I like open-minded people. I
know jack about P4's I've only touched two recently and it was to
trouble-shoot systems for friends. Both ended up being returned for refunds
and I built them AMD systems instead. I'm not saying the CPUs were at fault
but, for whatever reason, both systems just wouldn't run stably. The
suppliers tried several things to fix them, swapping RAM etc. One even tried
a different (MSI Neo) mobo. Both ended up giving refunds as the sytems just
weren't stable. Both 2.6GHz CPUs.

I have never had a problem with Soltek nForce 2 ultra 400 mobos and now use
them exclusively. I also use Barton 2500+ CPUs and pump them up to 3200+
spec (2.2GHz), something all of them have done easilly with varying degrees
of vcore increase. None needed a large vcore increase (one didn't need any)
and all run fine using the AMD supplied HSF.

JME/O.
 
I wouldn't call it an "upgrade". You would be replacing everything except
maybe a drive and CD.

I just built on a Intel BOXD865GBFL board using the 2.6c PIV. Even using
Win 98, it is a screamer, stable cool, quiet and flawless. Including a MS
wireless keyboard/mouse combo and DVD-ROM, 513mb PC3200, and a special
edition HD, the final cost was ~$630.

Currently running all the memory on channel #1, I expect to add memory to
Ch2 when I change OS, but since it is running so well, I don't expect to
change anything for a while.

I *DID* add an AGP8 card merely to use my TV for playing DVDs. That leaves 6
open expansion slots for future additions.

Setup from the install CD was painless. It is a beautiful board. I chose
the 2.6c PIV because of cost. The SATA sits unused, currently. The 800fsb
leaves room to plug in a faster cpu when they finally close out production
for this socket. (and prices come down) Everything is on board with this
one, audio, video and LAN, with plenty of USB2.
http://www.essencompu.com/nupplysingar.asp?ID=4390
BTW, this board has flexible support for single or dual channel memory, will
accommodate slower bus speed CPUs (will run a Celeron, of course) and will
handle DDR3334/5 and DDR266 memory.

Place this board on your "good one" list.
 
Hi all.....

I'm looking at upgrading my P3 1GHz system.

I'm pretty much settled on going to a P4 2.4 or 2.6 GHz processor, as for
some reason I feel safer sticking with Intel. I would like recommendations
on motherboards - what are the good ones / what are the bad ones?

- I want 800 Mhz FSB, and DDR RAM
- I don't need/care about RAID. (note below)
- What about SATA? I would consider getting a new SATA HD, as well as
keeping my existing IDE HD. If RAID can work when using both the IDE and
SATA channels, I would consider using my existing HD and a new SATA HD
together.
Click to expand...

Do you need RAID? You can't raid 1 PATA and 1 SATA, should use 2 x SATA.
That would be a good strategy, to run from the 2 SATA and 1 PATA for
backup.
- Are there any 2.4 / 2.6 GHZ processors that support hyperthreading? (Is
hyperthreading even worthwhile?). What motherboards would support this?
- What are your recommendations on chipsets?
Click to expand...

It won't be too long till a P4 3GHz is dropped in price more, is a good
choice. Pair that with Intel 865 chipset, from your favorite
manufacturer. Intel and Asus boards are generally regarded as two of the
best makes.
- I'm currently using a GeForce MX440, but this will eventually be upgraded.
I assume all current motherboards have 8x AGP.
Click to expand...

Yes, they're all 8X now.
- I assume onboard audio is now at least as good as my SoundBlaster Live
card.
Click to expand...

Nope, onboard has more fancies, frills, channels for rear and subwoofer,
but the overall sound quality of onboard sound is still lower than *most*
decent add-on cards. Given that you have the Soundblaster Live I wouldn't
worry about sound too much unless you wanted to keep the card in the P3
box as a backup system or (whatever).
- I do general office work, CAD and games.
Click to expand...

I'd upgrade the video card before worrying about hard drive(s).

- I'm running Windows XP Home.

Finally, I am open to suggestion about AMD processors and their respective
motherboards, but I did have bad experiences way back when using an AMD chip
instead of a 486....
Click to expand...

Well that's not at all applicable to today's parts, so a different concern
might be which CPU is better at your CAD software. It can depend on the
budget which platform you choose... right now AMD is certainly the best
bang for the buck if the buyer doesn't need top-end performance, say an
Athlon XP2400, nForce2 motherboard (like an Asus A7N8X) is a very good
value, or an Athlon 64 for more performance but closer price-parity to
Intel. Intel (CPU & motherboard chipset) certainly isn't a bad choice
though, and is probably the best choice if you do want to run an SATA RAID
config, and their USB2 is a bit faster than most other offerings, but
still slower than firewire.

You don't mention the budget but you might benefit most from putting a
large percentage of the upgrade budget towards the video card, then see
how much is left for the CPU & motherboard.
 
My up grade consisted of Pentium D865GBF mb 800 MHZ FSB 2.4gig P4 procesor
and 1 gig of ram Kingston 3200/512.
I had HD, Video card, Sound card from my P2 system.. just moved them over.
Im running win 98se doing sound editing and the system is stable as a rock.
Total cost little over $400.

don ward
 
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