Socket A XP3200 "Barton" vs Athlon 64

[Jonlandy]

Now that THG forums have helped me solve my faulty memory module issue (special thanks to BreuntUnitedMem and Rugger!!- I have 1 GB of Corsair PC3200 on its way) I amd now looking at a CPU upgrade (damn the upgrade addiction!!) I have an nForce 2 mobo (Asus A7N8X Deluxe) which should be able to handle a 400mhz FSB, since I have the most recent released Bios. The best I can feed my mobo is an Athlon XP 3200 Barton (I think that pretty much tops out the Socket A chips, right?). But I am wondering if I should just bite the bullet and upgrade to a Socket 754 nForce 3 mobo, which would require an Athlon 64, but enable me to keep my AGP videocard (Radeon 9500 pro), or go whole hog and get a socket 939 board (which would of course force me to buy a PCIe videocard!-yikes!!) Given this set of cicumstances, what are people's feelings regarding the cost/performance benefits of:
1-Exisiting mobo + AthlonXP 3200 (relatively cheap)
2-New mobo + Athlon64 3100 (about twice as much as 1)
3-New mobo,Athlon64 AND videocard (re-mortgage the house!)

I am a gamer, but not hardcore. However, I do like to have good performance when I play and do dvd encoding. So--- will I see such a dramatic increase in overall system performance by going to option 2 or 3, as opposed to option 1? I am leaning toward option 1 for obvious reasons, since it seems like upgrading from an Athlon XP 2400- what I have in my system now- to a 3200 Barton would give a pretty good bang for my buck. I know this is a little long-winded, but I am trying to cover all my bases! Thanks for your thought!!

 

[pat]

I'd go with a barton 2500+ mobile if you want to keep your current setup. Mine would do 2.4 GHz easily when I had it. 2.5 needed a bit better cooling in my cramped case, but could be attainable.

As easy as to set the multiplier to 12 and memory to 200 and cranck the vcore a bit. I think that I was running it at 1.60 v, on my Soltek board. This could give you a bit more speed CPU side, but you video card is no more top of the line, so a full upgrade could be the way to go. Selling your current systeme could well cover some of the expense for the new system.

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware, UNLESS YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A MSI BOARD !!!

 

[Jonlandy]

Thanks guys! Is there going to be any speed lag due to the memory being clocked at 400mhz, and the cpu at 266mhz? Or, does overclocking change the cpu fsb (you can tell I am obviously a noob at overclocking!!)
Also- if I go this route, I assume I will need a new heatsink/fan, given that the one on my current retail XP2400 won't be sufficient (or will it?)

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Jonlandy on 03/28/05 05:32 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[Jonlandy]

Actually, I bought the TWINX modules for around $170- do think I wasted $75?

 

[Rugger]

I didn't read/see the request for memory recommendations when I was originally going thru that thread. Helped to t/s some bad memory.

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<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>

 

[Jonlandy]

I got the TWINX1024-3200C2 XMS3200 Dual-Channel Memory, primarily because the Asus QVL listed the Corsair 3200C as tested and approved. And it seems like it might be better for staying stable at different (faster) latency settings. Oh well, maybe I needed to do some more homework! Do you think I bought hype? Because I can still return it and come out way ahead by buying the Value series, even factoring in a likely restocking fee)

PS- don't flame Rugger- his and Brent's advice was what got me on the road to finally diagnosing my faulty memory module, and thereby saved my sanity! Even though my comp is slower now (until I get my new ram)since I only have good 2- 256mb sticks left running, it has not crashed once since I removed the bad memory module. My enduring thanks!!

 

[Rugger]

Flame away -I got thick skin! Just explaining the situation...

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<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>

 

[Jonlandy]

Well- I took the plunge into overclocking madness, and bought an XP Mobile 2500+. Now I just need to bone up on overclocking techniques and tips.....but I'm pretty psyched! Thanks again for all the helpful feedback on the forum- it makes a relative noob like myself feel a lot better about giving hard-earned money to line the semiconductor giants' pockets!!

 

[Rugger]

You're welcome! We were all noobs at some point. At least now you're arming yourself with knowldge to make the best decisions for your hard-earned dollars!

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<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>