Minor upgrade, minor issue

[RABIES]

OK, here is the sitiation...

I am running-

XP 2600 @ 333FSB on a SL-75FRN2-L (Soltek nForce 2)
the RAM is at 400FSB

what I am looking at-

XP 3200 Barton @ 400FSB on a SL-75FRN2-L (Soltek nForce 2)
the RAM stays at 400FSB

Now for the issues-
Will the SL-75FRN2-L (Soltek nForce 2) support the 3200 Barton?
Is this a worthy upgrade?
I do not want to remove and replace my entire motherboard...(unless absolutely necissary :rolling: )

Any tips/help would.......help :E :thumbs:

 

[oD1Nz]

Yep, looking at the manufacturer's page (http://www.soltek-computer.de/soltek/product/products_all.php?isbn_st=SL-75FRN2-RL/SL-75FRN2-L) shows that your motherboard supports a chip running at 400FSB.

Also, you don't want to go for the 3400+ - aside from being 64bit, it requires a different socket, which equals a different motherboard. (Is that what you're asking?) To my knowledge, only two AMD chips run at 400FSB - some 3000+ models, and all 3200+ models.

However, I wouldn't really call this a worthy upgrade - if you excuse me while I go back to the stone age and use Intel's method of rating chips, you're only gaining around 70MHz. While in modern terms (AMD terms) this might equate to more than what you'd expect in stone age terms, it doesn't seem like a very worthwhile upgrade to me - save up for a nice FX-55/motherboard combo.

 

[RABIES]

lol, sorry, you must have read my post before the edit. I looked back and saw that the 3400 was only available in 64bit CPU's. SO the 3400 is definitely out.

Is it worthy to say that my CPU has only half the cache as the Barton 3200? Or that my CorsairXMS pro PC3200 1GB Dual Channel RAM is being held back by a FSB multiplier that my current CPU cannot hit?

From the Newegg.com reviews of the Retail and OEM sale 3200 Bartons, everyone gave it 5 stars, alot of people were even upgrading from a 2600...

Honestly, I wanted a FX 53, but you said FX 55?!?! All I can see is that Ratail tag that is 4 digits wide and has the ability to make a downpayment on a new sportscar...

 

[oD1Nz]

Is it worthy to say that my CPU has only half the cache as the Barton 3200? Or that my CorsairXMS pro PC3200 1GB Dual Channel RAM is being held back by a FSB multiplier that my current CPU cannot hit?

Yes, and yes. Although, new 2600+ chips are based on the Barton core, so if your processor is reasonably new, all you might be getting is clock speed.

From the Newegg.com reviews of the Retail and OEM sale 3200 Bartons, everyone gave it 5 stars, alot of people were even upgrading from a 2600...

It's your money, you can do what you want with it.

Honestly, I wanted a FX 53, but you said FX 55?!?!

Yep, although currently unreleased. I doubt you'd want an FX-53 anyway, because if you ever wanted to get a better FX chip, you'd need a new motherboard - starting with the FX-55, AMD is moving the FX from the 940pin socket to the 939pin socket.

 

[RABIES]

Yes, and yes. Although, new 2600+ chips are based on the Barton core, so if your processor is reasonably new, all you might be getting is clock speed.

Well, I wonder how much faster it is. My CPU speed is 2.083Ghz becuase of the 333FSB. Those 3200's are at 2.2Ghz (iirc) I know that is not a giant leap, but.........ARWRWWRWRWRRWRRWRWRWRRW! :E

It's your money, you can do what you want with it.

I knew someone would say this... :x :E

Perhaps I will get it, if I can find a buyer for my 2600 chip. If not, then it's onward to FX 55. :rolling:

 

[Asus]

I wouldn't upgrade your CPU while keeping the Board because it would be a minor upgrade in performance considering the price.
I would wait. Maybe til you decide to get a new board/CPU.
If you do buy a new set, wait til summer because of choices of new and current tech and prices.

This might help you decide.
Link
For the price, a athlon 64 3000+/2800+ would be a lot better price/performance ratio.
That black bar is what a FX55 should be.

@newegg
Socket A
Athlon XP 3000+ 400fsb OEM 138$ (no warranty/heatsink/fan)
Athlon XP 3200+ 400fsb Retail 187$

Socket 754 (+ allow at least 100$ for board)
Athlon 64 2800+ Retail 187$
Athlon 64 3000+ Retail 223$
Athlon 64 3200+ Retail 282$
Athlon 64 3400+ Retail 416$

Socket 940 (+ allow at least 150$ for board + money for Registered RAM)
Athlon 64 FX 53 Retail 806$

Look at the performance charts and see what is actually worth it. Or if you are going to wait. All use the standard DDR400 except socket 940 which uses Registered DDR400.

If you look at the performance of a A64 2800+, that may be enough for you. The Athlon64 architecture does very well no matter which model.
If you compare the A64 2800+ vs the A64 3000+ in performance that may be worth the 50$ jump to you.
Comparing the A64 2800+ up to the A64 3200+ in performance in not worth the 100$ jump though to me.

Jumping up within the same socket you won't notice anything being speeder or more responsive but just higher numbers (FPS). Going to a different core with different bus speeds/architecture you will notice a difference in reaction time and numbers.

 

[RABIES]

WOW! Those charts are GREAT! Total ownage though :hmph:
After seeing that......it really isn't worth it. Oddly enough the AMD64 benchmarks don't seem much higher? Maybe because alot of those tests were 32 bit?

Thanks :E

 

[Asus]

all are in 32bit
Anything windows based so far is 32bit. 64bit windows and some 64bit games come later this year so they say.
Also remember they used 9800Pro and XT.
What card do you have?

Updating the gfx card offers the best increase in performance. CPU architecture/memory system next and then the CPU speed.

Combination from a gfx card update and cpu/board update can be a big difference though. Big enough difference to make a new game, that is heavy on the eye candy and tough on hardware, playable at higher quality/res settings.

 

[RABIES]

Wow, that sux for the 64's, no use getting one right this moment :E

I use a Sapphire 9800Pro for my gaming needs, no bottleneck there.

And that is also my issue, everything is up to par (or close to it), which means the only major upgrades I can do are a 9800XT, and the 3200+ Barton (definitely waiting a while on the 64's)

Both are great, but not cost effective in my sitiation :x