*Upgrade Help*

[GreaseMonkey]

Ok, time for some upgradage from my T-bird 1333 Mhz, 512 SDRAM system, with a KT7A motherboard. My video card, the Ti4200 is sufficient, so I'll keep that.

So lets say, i wanna get me a new Mobo, processor and DDR RAM (my SDRAM is hardly supported anymore), and I want to keep it under $280. I was also thinking more in the direction of XP2500+ and an asus mobo. So any suggestions on what things to get?

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Barton 2500+- $90

Asus A7N8X-DX- $130

512mb Kingston HyperX PC3200- $125

If you bought an Abit NF7-S instead of the A7N8X you could have a niiiice OCing setup.

EDIT: Oh yeah, BestBuy has a 512 stick of HyperX PC3500 on sale for $120, and that would add even more to a beautiful OCing setup with the NF7-S

 

[crabcakes66]

CORSAIR 512MB PC3200 VALUE SELECT. VS512MB400 DDR RAM - OEM 90$

Asus Motherboard for AMD Athlon XP/Duron Processors, Model# A7N8X Deluxe Retail 120$

you can get a cheaper mobo...but i would reccomend springing for this one.


AMD ATHLON XP 2500 "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- OEM

85$

total 295$


but you are also going to want to upgrade your power supply


id reccomend atleast a antec 330 about 60$

that puts you about 70$ past your mark.....but that would be my recomended setup

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Hehe, an antec 330 is more then a TT 420+ $45

Oh yeah, I would reccommend hyperX or corsair XMS, not that value crap. Save up a little more.

 

[crabcakes66]

Originally posted by Sgt.Igneri


EDIT: Oh yeah, BestBuy has a 512 stick of HyperX PC3500 on sale for $120, and that would add even more to a beautiful OCing setup with the NF7-S

they have it at newegg.com with the silver heatspreader for 128.50$

the regular one at bestbuy.com says its 131.99



not really a big differance...other than i like the silver heatspreader better

that and all those prices i gave are for newegg...and look to be slighlt cheaper.....might save you a bills

 

[crabcakes66]

Originally posted by Sgt.Igneri

Oh yeah, I would reccommend hyperX or corsair XMS, not that value crap. Save up a little more.

I was trying to shoot for his price point......the value ram isnt crap by any means.

just becuase it has "value" in the name....

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

My prices are from newegg too, but i rounded them It said $142 when i checked yesterday, on newegg. Im gonna pick that stick up. Now ill have two OCing bastards:

2.4C
Abit IS7-G
1gb XMS PC3700
9800 pro

2500+
NF7-S
512mb HyperX PC3500
9600 pro(maybe up to 9800np, or 9500pro if i can get)

 

[bx|ch3f_0z]

Epox 8rda3+ epox>asus Barton 2500. Just like what everyone else said but I'd do some searching on what stepping these guys carry.
As for Ram, well I dont mind paying alittle more for sometihng I know its going to last
But I think you should rasie your funds to something around 350 if possible and get a new psu .
gL

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Wow, those are some absurd prices on that RAM. Plus im sure there reseller ratings SUCK. Also, Abit>Asus>Epox

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Sorry for double post, went to edit but clicked quote.

 

[Ridic]

Corsiar xms is a rip, you can get just as good ram from crucial kingston and the other kind of corsair...

unless you would be worried about heat...

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

XMS aint a rip, it performs much better then crucial, HyperX, and many others.

OCZ RAM looks pretty damn good though, ive only read a little.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Hmm, thanks guys. All suggestions are nice and generally in the pricerange (give or take some bucks)

Three questions:
Is the xms series seriously that much better than just normal corsair?

So which on IS the better Mobo: Epox or Asus, cause 8rda3+ and the A7N8X both look good, but the epox is cheaper.

Why is the new power supply necessary?

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Because im sure the old one is crap. I would get an Abit mobo man. They are top notch right now, you cant buy better. The XMS is a decent amount faster im sure, but with your budget i would get the kingston HyperX.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

OK.

How about this:

ABIT KD7A ,VIA KT400A chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A ATX RETAIL - $78

http://secure.newegg.com/app/specification.asp?item=13-127-157

AMD ATHLON XP 2500 "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- OEM - $85

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?DEPA=&bop=and&submit=advance&Catalog=343&MFG=1028&page=2

CORSAIR 512MB PC3200 VALUE SELECT. VS512MB400 DDR RAM - OEM - $90

@ newegg also

Fortron ATX300GU 300W HiQ Brand ATX P4/AMD Ready Power Supply - Retail -$22

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?DEPA=&bop=and&submit=advance&Catalog=58&page=1

Total - $277.

(There's a Kingston XMS for 116 at newegg, but is it worth it when there's a 90$ corsair one?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?DEPA=&bop=and&submit=advance&Catalog=147&MFG=1183&page=2)

 

[bx|ch3f_0z]

Its all personal choice really. but ive had some great ram from corsair. Esp. when im running dual channel on my epox.
But any of the fav5 well give ya decent ram. King,corsair,samsung,ocz... and gell.

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

Originally posted by GreaseMonkey
OK.

How about this:

ABIT KD7A ,VIA KT400A chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A ATX RETAIL - $78

http://secure.newegg.com/app/specification.asp?item=13-127-157

AMD ATHLON XP 2500 "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- OEM - $85

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?DEPA=&bop=and&submit=advance&Catalog=343&MFG=1028&page=2

CORSAIR 512MB PC3200 VALUE SELECT. VS512MB400 DDR RAM - OEM - $90

@ newegg also

Fortron ATX300GU 300W HiQ Brand ATX P4/AMD Ready Power Supply - Retail -$22

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?DEPA=&bop=and&submit=advance&Catalog=58&page=1

Total - $277.

(There's a Kingston XMS for 116 at newegg, but is it worth it when there's a 90$ corsair one?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?DEPA=&bop=and&submit=advance&Catalog=147&MFG=1183&page=2)

Here, This should perfect it: Your gonna want to spend a little more then that.

Change that Abit mobo to an Abit NF7-S, VIA=BAAAAAD(IMO)

Change the RAM to Geil PC3200 value or something: $87

And for sure, you need more wattage. Allied sells some cheap 400 watt PSUs for around that price, look for them.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

ABIT NF7-S ,nForce2 SPP chipset Support AMD Socket A with 200/266/333 FSB ,8X AGP,SATA 150 ATX motherboard Retail - $115

AMD ATHLON XP 2500 "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- OEM - $85

CORSAIR 512MB PC3200 VALUE SELECT. VS512MB400 DDR RAM - OEM - 90$

AUSTIN 450W Power Supply DR-B450AT UL, CSA, FCC Approved oem Bulk Pack - $23

Why should i get geil instead of corsair?

 

[Sgt.Igneri]

The geil would probly be a good OCer, stable, nice features, and cheap.