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bassa

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Apr 23, 2004
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Hello everyone,

This is my first time here, but I've heard alot of good things about www.tomshardware.com, so I can only hope for the best results.

I'm about to purchase a (somewhat) new system upgrade and I need some quality advice on what kind of hardware to strongly consider buying.

I've considered switching to a new Pentium 4 2.8-30. Ghz processor. Right now, I'm using an AMD Athlon Thungerbird 1.33Ghz, but due to it constant overheating (and the fact that I've now got the cash to buy a newer one) has tempted me to switch to Pentium instead.

I mainly use my computer for graphic designs (work) and computer games (Unreal, CS, MaxPayne 2, RPG's, those kind of games etc.), so I don't know what choice would be most effective/worthwhile. Should I stick to one of the newer AMD processors? They're cheaper, but are they as good as the high end Pentium processors?

Furthermore, I need a motherboard as well and RAM. I have NO idea, whatsoever, which motherboard to choose, so I'm in a kind of distress, as both CPU and motherboard are very, very important to have them "work together" at their best. About the RAM, I was thinking about 512 MB Crucial DDR SDRAM / PC3200 / 400 MHz / 2.5 V / 5 ns... Good choice? Should it be faster, and what motherboard would be good for this RAM speed?

I think that's it, as you can we see, my knowledge of the newer computer hardware is, unfortunately, severly limited, so I was hoping that this would be the place to come and ask kind questions, and hopefully get a hint or two. I just hate making foul buys/wrong buys... the entire configuration of my new computer is very essential to my work, especially.

I'm open to hear just about anything with regards to the CPU and motherboard, especially... Hope to see some good reply's.


Yours sincerely,

bassa
 
If you do graphics, go with Pee4. Does not really matter what you will pair it with, as long as it is working.

..this is very useful and helpful place for information...
 
T-bird were really hot chips..Now, the AMD are as good than Intel in term of heat. Facts are, the new Intel Prescott get really hot...hotter than new AMD. I wouldnt be affraid to go with either one or the other, as they perform good. Now, problems are, no matter if it is AMD or Intel, memory and chipset. You'll find many problems with memory timing in this forum. Many more than overheating one. So go with whenever brand, just be sure to get a good motherboard and memory.

For Intel, Abit IS7 is recommended, as well as some other. For AMD, new board with nforce3 250 start to appear on the market. I would wait some more b4 buying one.

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!
 
Heh, alright thanks alot... thing is though, I'm about to make my purchase at the end of next week, so... lol...

And well, since AMD has finally gotten their heat issues over with, how about this configuration?

Motherboard: Asus A7N8X 2.0 Deluxe
CPU: Athlon XP 3200+ (2200 MHz 128/512 KB)
 
I'd tather buy a mobile 2500+ which can be overclocked very easily. Mine run at 2.4 GHz, without any fancy cooling, only a thermaltake silentboost. I think the Asus has some problem with the mobile chip. Mine is a Soltek 75frn2-rl. The Abit nf7 ca take this cpu too. But, have you take a look at Athlon64 based system?

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!
 
Well, first off, no need to take OC possibilities into account, as I've no interest in doing that anymore.

Secondly; if I've tried looking upon an Athlon64-based system? Hrmm, well I'm not 100% sure of what you mean, Pat, but if I do, the only system I've checked out thus far is this one here on this website:

http://www20.tomshardware.com/firstlook/20040422/msi_kt880-02.html

So, on this system, it sounds like the tester would prefer the ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe motherboard here, instead of the MSI... So if I go AMD, a system such as this would seriously kick some?
 
What you checked is the dual channel solution from VIA for Athlon xp. It is still better to use nforce2, imho. Athlon 64 is the new 64 bits compatible cpu from AMD. Just have a look at <A HREF="http://www.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20040420/index.html" target="_new"> this review</A> to see what is AMD Athlon64 nforce3 250 chipset, and one board reviewed, the MSI.

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!
 
Yeah, alright. I still can't bloody figure out whether to choose a rocking Athlon 64 3200+ or a Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz.

What's the top motherboard choice for the Athlon64 CPU? Any good calls?

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by bassa on 04/24/04 08:08 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
Christ, decisions decisions....

I think it all comes down to this;

It's either the abovementioned AMD or P4 CPU I'm going for, so if I choose P4, what would be a great motherboard for a P4 processor?

I was thinking of this board here: ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe
OR this one: ABIT IC7-G MaxII Advance
OR this one: ASUS P4P800 Deluxe

If I choose P4, one of these boards will be my choice, I guess.

Any good?
 
The AMD has the cool and quiet feature. When the cpu is not used too much, it slow down and put off less heat, meaning less noise. When crunching hard, then everithing run at full. So if yo dont plan to overclock, then I would say stock cooler. The Pentim chip should be ok with stock cooler too. Unless you decide to overclock later.

As for RAM, it is much more complicated! Choose your motherboard and ask which RAM run with it for users here.

It is a very bad time to upgrade.... Full of new stuff and standard are coming. But today's fastest machine should be adequate for some years to come thou. For me, my choice goes toward A64, because of the 64 bits compatibility. For now, it is just a new toys to play and experiment with, but later, more stuff will run in 64bits mode. By this time, intel will have their 64 bits CPU too.

What I would do is to go to newegg.com or ncix.com. Both sell stuff and has users opinion on their products. That may help you to choose the motherboard that fits right for you. then put the CPU on it and the RAM and have fun.

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!
 
I've made my decision. I'm going to buy an Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz processor. Now I need a motherboard. Which one should I pick:

1. ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe
2. ASUS P4P800 Deluxe
3. ABIT IC7-G MaxII Advance

I've heard many good things about these three boards, just not sure what would be "best buy". Any ideas?
 
IC-7 runs hot, ASUS has voltage regulator issues, fastest board for 3.2P4 is still MSI 865PE NEO-FIS2R.

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. Now, let's eat!
 
Alright, NOW we're getting somewhere 😀

1. New CPU is Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz
2. New motherboard is MSI 865PE Neo2-FIS2R

Now to choose what RAM would be best for this motherboard. I also need a new harddisk, and I've got my eyes on one in particular, this one: Samsung SpinPoint P80 SP1614N.

Any ideas on another, even better harddisk? Also, need to know what RAM to get... thanks in advance 😀
 
I have a one month old 120gb SpinPoint. The one drawback is that it is so quiet you can't here it run. The Mushkin 222 Special DDR-400 would be the best at stock speed.

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. Now, let's eat!
 
Jesus!

Dude, do you know the price on those Mushkin RAM? Oh man, are there any other, LESS expensive, RAM to buy for that motherboard? LOL
 
Ram prices are going through the roof. Look at 1gb of PC-3200 Crucial. $240.00? WOW! Buy whatever PC-3200 you want, but get the lowest timings you can afford.

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. Now, let's eat!
 
Alright, just wanted to throw in a thanks here in the end to those who aided me most kindly. Cheers, dammit 😉

Here's the new dog:

Samsung SpinPoint P80 SP1614N
Intel Pentium 4 3 GHz
Crucial 2x512MB DDR SDRAM / PC3200 / 400 MHz / 2.5 V / 5 ns
GeForce FX 5900 XT 128MB RAM
MSI 865PE Neo2-FIS2R
3R AIR Silver, Miditower Cabinet
SmartCooler 300W Ultra Silent PSU

Guess that's it, also add another harddisk from my current system and a CD/DVD drive.

I was wondering though, if that PSU would give enough power for this system?

Anyways, thanks for everything guys.
 
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