AMD Athlon XP2800+

[Big-Mac-Please]

Hello

I'm new to the forum and I'm curently upgrading my computer. I have a P4 1.8Ghz (Old Style Chipset) with 256mbram.

Ive got a new western digital harddrive on the way. New graphics card, new CD-RW, new DVD-RW and now comes the motherboard and CPU.

I'm goin to use the new components on my current motherboard untill I can afford a new one.

I'm not styain with P4 cuz they are just too expensive:rolleyes:

So I saw the AMD XP2800+ for £150. I think that would be a decent upgrade. So I would like to know what a good motherboard would be to compliment it and what ram I need to get.

Thanx for any help.

Big-Mac :D

[Drake]

:D:DWELCOME:D:D to the Liquid Ninja forums, Big Mac :)

DVD-RWs can write to CDs too, so you can knock off the separate CD-RW unless you absolutely need that CD in under two minutes.

If you could reconsider Intel, they have some powerful new technologies out, namely their 800Mhz FSB chips, their dual channel DDR chipsets, and hyperthreading. All three of those will beat most any AMD setup out there.

But if you're dead-set on having an AMD system, any nForce2 mobo from a well-known manufacturer will have you set.

[Sprocket]

if you go to Xtreme Systems forums at xtremesystems.org, you'll get a lot answers! :) I would get either an Abit NF7-S v2.0, Epox 8RDA3+, Epox 8RGA+, or Asus A7V8X Deluxe v2.0 (I think it's A7V8X, maybe it was A7VNX?, prob gettin that wrong)

hope this helps! :D

[Sprocket]

no, I think it was A7N8X

[Big-Mac-Please]

Hello

Thanx for that :) I'm not dead set on a AMD but the P4 seemed very very expensive. If you could show me a P4 and motherboard for a similar price thats any better then thanx :D

I have one other question.

I have brought a graphics card but those motherboards have got them built in? Am I not payin more for sumit I don't need?

Thanx
Big-Mac

[mdzcpa]

You can get yourself into a great Intel combo such as this:

Abit IS7 $110
P4C 2.4 $175

The IS7 has has the new Intel Springdale chipset supporting the 800mhz CPU bus. It's supposed be be a tad slower than the premium Canterwood chipset, but Abit (like Asus) has figured out a way to enable PAT (Performance Acceleration Technology) on the Springdale, bringing performance up to Canterwood level without Canterwood price.

If you wanted a "true" Canterwood chipset board (which gaurantees top performance) the Abit IC7 makes an excellent choice for about $145.

For the price of the combo listed above, you could also go AMD:

Abit NF7-S $125
AMD 2800+ $180

This system would be a tic faster at stock speeds and overclock well.

However, the P4C 2.4 chips are the overclocking champs right now with most hitting 3ghz with simple air cooling. In the end, in overclocked situations, the P4 may be the better deal. Not only do the new P4C (800mhz bus) chips overclock well, but the new supporting Springdale/Canterwood chipsets overclock extremely well too. It's not uncommon to get solid stable 270-300mhz FSB speeds from them. That's a powerful combination to beat.

Then, again, if you can afford more, you can put an Intel P4C 2.8 ($280) on an IS7 or IC7, and definitely have a faster system than the XP 2800.

I know I quoted in USD, but it will still give you some idea. Either combo above would be an excellent choice. For the low to mid range budget, AMD still has the slight advantage. But once you hit the upper budget range, Intel's performance wins out.

If you plan on staying at stock speeds at the mid budget level, I'd still go AMD for sure.

Hope this helps!

[Big-Mac-Please]

Thanx that helps :) Before I read that I was thinkin of gettin the AMD Athlon "Barton" XP2800+ for £145.62 and the Asus A7N8X Deluxe nForce2 £93.03.

I have about £300 to spend and I was goin to spen the rest on ram. What do you think?

Is there better I can get for my money? If I got P4 it will have to be the new chipset because I don't see the point in upgradin to a replaced chip.

I'm after performance because I like my games and I'm mainly working with films and converting files etc and I h8 havin to wait :)

Hope that helps.

Big-Mac

[mdzcpa]

If you're on limited budget, then I'd go with NF7 XP2800 combo. Make sure to get a Rev 2.0 NF7....they've been out for more than a few weeks now so it shouldn't be a problem.

The Asus A7N8X isn't a bad board. I've just had both boards and I prefer the NF7 much more.

In order to get a competing Intel system, you'd have to spend a little more than you have in the budget. The last round of AMD price drops makes the 2800 very affordable now. Intel makes more sense for those planning on buying a AMD XP3000 or XP3200 where, for the same money, the new Intel P4C chips offers more performance.

Spend the rest on the RAM as your thinking. Get some quality PC3200 though....don't skimp here. Get some Corsair or TwinMos....maybe OCZ.