Suggestion on CPU and Motherboard sought

[satimis]

Hi folks,

I'm prepared to upgrade an AMD K7 box (a workstation for testing software) to Athlon64 3000+/3200+ 512K 939socket with 1024MB DDR-400 RAM. Please shed me somelight on

1) suggest an economic motherboard to match this setup
2) How about 3000+ compared with 3200+
The price difference is about 30+%. How much performance gain on percentage?

B.R.
satimis

 

[Rugger]

The 3200+ is clocked 10% faster (200Mhz), but it may or may no give a full 10% performance advantage.

What specific type of testing/tasks will you be doing on the system? What features do you need/want on the mobo?

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

 

[dunklegend]

Also how economic is economic?

 

[Starfishy]

I'm interested to hear the mobo suggestions too. I am in the process of buying a A64 3000+. When I bought an A64 3200+ a few months ago I went with the MSI Neo2 plat... it has worked out great, and everyone (almost) agreed at the time that it was a good buy. But that doesn't mean that there isn't something better out there now, or that opinions have changed a little. So keep the suggestions rolling on this one.

 

[satimis]

Hi folks,

Tks for your advice.

My target price is approx USD130-

OC and 3D will not be essential. The workstation shall be used for testing software such as Database/BI (businesee intelligence)/ERP (Enterprize Resource Planning)/Crystal Report/etc. The box is not for production.

B.R.
satimis

 

[shawnlizzle =]]

hmmm... i may be wrong but... i would say go with intels for raw processing, k8s are usually for gaming =\....but then again, if the software you are using is memory itensive, then u'll benefit from the k8s

<font color=red>One Lowe</font color=red>

 

[TechMan]

IMHO, K8 will be a good testing platform if it is within the budget. At least, you'll be 64-bit ready.

On Cache and Bandwidth:
You do mean cash, and fan width goes to Intel right? - endyen 05

 

[satimis]

Hi folks,

I prefer K8 Athlon 64-bit.

What causes me hesitate other than finding an economic MO to match the CPU is DDR2/DDR3 and also 3000+ or 3200+ or 3500+. Sooner or later DDR will be replaced.

B.R.
satimis

 

[endyen]

i would say go with intels for raw processing,

DUH yup yup, all those extra pipes means intels really smoke raw sh1t
Reality check. Intel uses simd extensions to make up for a total lack of raw processing power.
Amd is known to have better IPC.

 

[dunklegend]

Here's a review of some of the latest mobos for AMD, hope it helps
<A HREF="http://www7.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20050513/index.html" target="_new">http://www7.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20050513/index.html</A>

 

[mozzartusm]

StarfishY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where have you been? Long time no see!

Intel P4 550(3.4)@<font color=green>5Ghz</font color=green>
Asus P5AD2-E-Premium
Crucial Ballistix PC2 5300 2X256
TT 680W PSU

 

[mozzartusm]

But if he lives in a cold climate they are really good for heating the room. AMD cant hang :tongue:

Intel P4 550(3.4)@<font color=green>5Ghz</font color=green>
Asus P5AD2-E-Premium
Crucial Ballistix PC2 5300 2X256
TT 680W PSU

 

[satimis]

Hi dunklegend,

Tks for your advice and link.

According to my search and the information found from other forums. Most folks recommended MSI mobo as listed on your link.

Have you had any recommendation on selecting a graphic card of moderate price to match. My interest is not for playing games.

TIA

B.R.
satimis

 

[P4Man]

>Sooner or later DDR will be replaced.

So? DDR2 will also be replaced sooner or later, as will DDR3.
Why would you want to invest in eg DDR-533 when it will be just as obsolete as DDR400 in a couple of years ? Whats the advantage of owning DDR200 over SDR133 today ?

= The views stated herein are my personal views, and not necessarily the views of my wife. =

 

[dunklegend]

I'm not an expert in video cards (or anything else =)) but you can ask the other guys here just give them the range of what you want to pay and whats are you going to do with it graphics wise.

BTW I have a Geforce 6600 256MB I got it for around $145 it's not a top of the line card but is better than what I had and not bad for the money.

 

[satimis]

Hi folks,

I need a graphic card to match mobo MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
8X AGP
Price USD70-
No specific requirement on RAM
not for playing games nor graphic editing

The PC is for testing software

Tks

B.R.
satimis

 

[dunklegend]

If you're going to buy a video card why don't you go the PCIexpress route. For that money it won't be a great card but it will be upgradeable for a longer time.

 

[dunklegend]

ECS NFORCE4-A939 $78
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ $146
PCIe cards starting at $49 at newegg

This is the cheapest going the S939, PCIe route.
Do a search (newegg has good prices and great delivery) that matches what you want to spend and then ask again so we can give you options.

 

[satimis]

Hi dunklegend,

You are right. I also prefer PCIe graphic card. But the mobo MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum does not support PCIe according to my search. If I'm wrong please correct me.

B.R.
satimis

 

[satimis]

Hi dunklegend,

ECS NFORCE4-A939 $78
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ $146

This is an interesting combination to me

ECS NFORCE4-A939
http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWeb/Products/ProductsDetail.aspx?MenuID=16&LanID=0&DetailID=493&DetailName=Specification

What do follows refer to
EXPANSION SLOT
1 x PCI Express x16 slot
2 x PCI Express x1 slots
3 x PCI slots

Are there 3 PCI slots on the mobo?

What is your comment on following graphic card
WinFast PX6200 TC TDH

TIA

B.R.
satimis

 

[chuck232]

Alright, I'm not sure how CPU intensive those apps are exactly (in fact I've never even heard of them) but you'd do fine with just about any A64 setup I'm sure. Since you said you're not too into overclocking/tweaking, then a nice stable nF4 board would be good along with a 3000+ Venice. That'll give you the ability to overclock if the need ever arises.

The Chaintech VNF-4 and the MSI K8N Neo4-F are both nice boards, costing $86 and $88 respectively.

Also, that video card is just a low end card, but it should be fine as long as you're not doing anything too graphics intensive. Also, if you read around, there's the potential to unlock 4 pipes on that card and have a full blown Geforce 6600 non-GT.

<A HREF="http://nfiniti.blogspot.com" target="_new">nfiniti plus one</A>

 

[satimis]

Hi chuck232,

Tks for your advice.

I think "ECS NFORCE4-A939" meets my need both on spec. and price

<b>Also, that video card is just a low end card, but it should be fine as long as you're not doing anything too graphics intensive.</b>

This new box shall not be used for grapchic editing nor playing games. What shall be the min. requirement on its RAM, 16/32/64MB, lower RAM being cheaper in price.

<b>Also, if you read around, there's the potential to unlock 4 pipes on that card and have a full blown Geforce 6600 non-GT</b>

Whether you meant the topic on following links;

Video Card Overclocking Guide, for those who are new to it
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=52852
and
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-52852.html

I'm interested to learn this technique.

TIA

B.R.
satimis

 

[chuck232]

Here's a large thread on the subject. It may take you a while to read though!

<A HREF="http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=52765" target="_new">http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=52765</A>

<A HREF="http://nfiniti.blogspot.com" target="_new">nfiniti plus one - my blog</A>