Much ado about everything

[jonnyu]

Hey guys, I don't know too much about building computers though I'd like to attempt upgrading the one I have. I already posted about potentially overhauling my system but I'm not sure I have the funds. Instead, I'd like to consider keeping my p4 cpu, while replacing the mobo, adding some memory and a graphics card.

Here are my system specs straight from the bios,
Memory: 256 mb ddr sdram, 333 MHz, Single, AGP Aperture 128 mb

CPU: Bus Speed 533 MHz, Proc 0 ID F29, Clock speed 2.4, cache 512 kb

I don't really know what most of this means. I'm curious if you guys know of any decent mobo and ram that would help me out here. I've read the pci-e graphics cards are cheaper and of equal quality, so I wouldn't mind having that capability. I'm also curious if you think it would be a better investment in the long run to go with the AMD64 system. I understand p4's tend to be hotter, although I am unaware at what point this problem began plaguing intel. Do you think my cpu suffers from a similar problem?

On a side note, I'm sort of trying to wean myself off computer games, so I'm restricting myself from pursuing the amd 64 stuff just yet. At the same time, if it turns out I can get some decent amd 64 parts for not much more than what I'll need to pay currently, I'll accept that as the better investment...

Any input is appreciated.

 

[o1die]

You need to first list your system specs in more detail. What is your current mobo (make, model number), graphics card, and power supply. Also, what is your exact budget? Are you using the setup mostly for gaming or something else?

 

[jonnyu]

Lets see,


I have a Dell Dimension 2400, bought in August of 2003
2.4 ghz intel p4
I don't know how to identify the motherboard- is this possible via the os? My bro bought me the computer and I was never given a list of the exact components. I can say it has no agp slot, and that there are also a few stickers on the fan and motherboard that say "CN-001492-70821-364-07PF" and "REVA00" . Any suggestions for figuring it out what it is?

My power supply died a couple months ago, and I replaced it with COOLMAX 400W CX-400B, BLACK, Taurus CX Series Silent Power Supply. Because I have no agp slot, I'm using a pci graphics card - a PNY Verto FX 5500 from Best Buy - which I can still return (and likely will).

I have something like $400 to spend, but if possible I'd like to keep my current memory and cpu and minimize purchases to a new mobo, more memory, and a graphics card - unless of course it becomes evident that I can get significantly more performance out of amd products (ie a new cpu as well) without paying too much more money...

I may be able to stretch it to $500 but I'd rather not


- being able to play games at a quality higher than the very lowest levels would be nice...

 

[Crashman]

Your first post gives the necessary info. You have a P4 2.4B (Northwood core, 533 bus) and PC2700 RAM (DDR333).

The board I'd suggest for you would be the Gigabyte GA-8ISXT-FS. I'm recommending it because it's a very good, very cheap board. It has the Intel 865PE chipset, Firewire, multi-channel audio, Serial ATA, etc. The reason it's cheap is because it's an OEM board for a Fujitsu-Siemens PC that FS dumped onto the market in large quantities when they did their anual model change.

I'd also get another stick of PC2700. Now, the board I recommended can support dual-channel mode, but you need a module with the same chip layout (same number of chips, same number of banks, etc) in order to get dual-channel mode functioning. It's a great board in single-channel, but much better in dual-channel mode.

It's likely most of the RAM you'll find on the market follows the same layout as the module you already have. But if you want to increase the likelyhood of dual-channel operation even more, you'll want to find out more about the module you have. I'm sure if you ask nicely in the Memory forum for an application to detect memory specifics, someone will find you one.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[okietex]

Well, I think what Crash gave you is a good direction and makes sense to me. I'd try following his advice and pursue that mobo...

Then, you have to pick a AGP video card ...

Only other thing is another stick of ram -- unless there's someting else I'm missing.

If you've got $400-$500 to play with -- regarding the memory, you've only got 256 meg right now -- if you go look @ Crucial below.. you'll see a stick of 256/2700 will run around $42 - probably find it cheaper somewhere else or other brands etc.

but, you might consider upgrading your ram to 2 512s and using some of your budget on that. i'd think going from a 256/512 up to 1gb will be a nice performance boost that you would be able to see. i only say this b/c you have $42 bucks +/- in it on ram now --

<A HREF="http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr+Productline=Dell+Dimension&mfr=Dell&cat=RAM&model=Dimension+2400+Series&submit=Go" target="_new">@ Crucial</A>

then, your video... just go to newegg and find something like this <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-219&depa=1" target="_new">9600 Pro</A> for $118

Crash's mobo suggestion <A HREF="http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=GA-8ISX-WB&cat=MBB" target="_new">here for mobo price</A> @ around $52

So, for $118 + $42 + $52... $212 for video, ram & mobo. OR, upgrading a bit more for $118 + $158 (79x2 for ram) + $52 ... $328 (video, ram & mobo)

Leaves a bit more to play with. Maybe there's more stuff you need to buy ...

how's that look?

 

[jonnyu]

Hey guys, thanks so much for helping me out. I know it must be irritating to have people like me asking for advice all the time, but it is extremely appreciated. I'll go post on the memory forum now and update you if they respond.

 

[jonnyu]

I was advised to use CPU-ID at the memory forum, which I did. Here were the results for my cpu:

Number of CPUs 1
APIC ID 0
Name Intel Pentium 4
Code name Northwood
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz
Family/Model/Stepping F29
Extended Family/Model 0/0
Brand ID 9
Package mPGA-478
Core Stepping D1
Technology 0.13µ
Instructions Sets MMX, SSE, SSE2
Clock Speed 2392.1 MHz
Clock multiplier x18.0
Front Side Bus Frequency 132.9 MHz
Bus Speed 531.6 MHz
L1 Data Cache 8 KBytes, 4-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L1 Trace Cache 12 Kµops, 8-way set associative
L2 Cache 512 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L2 Speed 2392.1 MHz (Full)
L2 Location On Chip
L2 Data Prefetch Logic yes
L2 Bus Width 256 bits

Just to verify, this cpu should work with the following mobo, right?

http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=GA-8ISX-WB&cat=MBB

Also, I've noticed that the cpu in my current computer (the one I plan to swap out) has a type of fan I've never seen before (although maybe it is more common than I think). There is a green plastic "tunnel" that goes from the cpu to a fan that is attached to the side of the case. This is different from my last computer, in which there was a fan that attached directly to the cpu itself. It doesn't look like this green tunnel and fan apparatus will transfer very easily - if at all - to a different case, thus I imagine I will need to buy a new fan? Can anyone recommend anything?

Finally, I'd like to buy 2 512mb ram for the new mobo. Okietex suggested this link:

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr+Productline=Dell+Dimension&mfr=Dell&cat=RAM&model=Dimension+2400+Series&submit=Go

however, I noticed its specific for the Dimension 2400 - which, if I change mobos, will no longer apply, correct? To the best of my knowledge, I just need to buy 2700 DDR speed, ideally from Crucual. Does this sound right?

 

[okietex]

You're confusing me ...

I thought you want to use your CPU that you have in your current computer (the DELL Dim 2400)??
Is that correct?

If so, the MOBO that Crash referenced and I linked too - should work just fine.

Now, regarding the RAM -- you said you wanted to try and use your pieces from that old Dell you have -- so, I linked to Crucial that shows what ram you could put in that old Dell TO GET A PRICE COMPARISON. If you are wanting to upgrade, then follow the MOBO specs and they show DDR333/400 - so, over <A HREF="http://www.crucial.com/store/listmodule.asp?module=DDR+PC3200&Attrib=Package&cat=RAM" target="_new">@ Crucial, something like this ram</A>

So, basically - $80-$123 X 2 for 2 512s...

Remember that mobo is DUAL CHANNEL capable so to get best performance, you need two sticks of the same kind/size of RAM.

Now, if you want to keep your existing 256mb/2700 -- then that is another option -- and I *assume* it would work in that mobo but I don't know that for sure.

HTH.

 

[jonnyu]

Sorry for the confusion. Yes, I want to keep my current cpu. Thanks clearing the ram issue up - though I see there is a significant price variation for it. Should I assume the more you pay the better quality? I believe I read somewhere that unbuffered ram runs faster than registered, though I could be mistaken.