[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lojay So is my Geforce 4 mx 440 new or old?

Actually, your MX 440 is more than 2 years old, having been introduced back in February of 2002. But there have been several newer generations of GPUs that were introduced and marketed since then. And your MX 440 is a GeForce4 in name only - it's actually a GeForce2 MX in GPU generation, which means the technology used in that MX 440 is nearly 4 years old.

 

[lojay]

Well, I'm actually thinking of selling my current entire PC setup, as usually that would be a more tempting option for people who want a complete PC to buy. So the Maxell, the Geforce will go.

The last thing I'll get's a gfx card, as from my experience it doesn't affect photoshop or internet that much, just as long its a Geforce or Radeon.

How do you think about my RAM - CPU - Mobo choice?
Quote:

Intel Pentium 4 : 2.8C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Samsung 512 RAM : DDR400 PC3200 DFI 865PE Motherboard : (up to 3.06Ghz CPU, FSB: 533MHz and 800MHz Four 184-pin DDR DIMM sockets Supports dual channel (128-bit wide) memory interface Supports up to 4GB system memory Synchronous operation with - PC2100/PC2700/PC3200 (DDR266/DDR333/DDR400) with 800MHz FSB CPU. Supports non-ECC (x64) DIMM using 128Mb, 256Mb or 512Mb Supports unbuffered DIMMs Award BIOS, Windows® 98SE/2000/ME/XP Plug and Play compatible Genie BIOS provides: - CPU/DRAM overclocking - AGP/PCI/SATA overclocking - CPU/DIMM/AGP overvoltage Supports SCSI sequential boot-up 4Mbit flash memory CMOS Reloaded

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lojay Well, I'm actually thinking of selling my current entire PC setup, as usually that would be a more tempting option for people who want a complete PC to buy. So the Maxell, the Geforce will go. The last thing I'll get's a gfx card, as from my experience it doesn't affect photoshop or internet that much, just as long its a Geforce or Radeon. How do you think about my RAM - CPU - Mobo choice?

You'll still need a graphics card for your new system, unless your new motherboard has integrated graphics. Unfortunately, the graphics card in your current system likely will not work on your new PC. And your chosen motherboard doesn't have integrated graphics. And since 2D performance/image quality is your main concern, I'd recommend something like a Radeon 9600SE or 9200 with your new setup. And if you plan to play at least some recent games on that PC, I'd go for at least a Radeon 9600XT. (I've ruled out Matrox, since you're dead-set on a GeForce or Radeon.)

As for your choice of mobo - CPU - RAM, I see no problems whatsoever with it. Just make sure that both of your RAM modules are identical to each other.

 

[lojay]

Eagle_driver, thanks for your help!

So you think I'll be able to surf smoothly or work smoothly with my setup? Or do you think 512's too little for the task?

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lojay Eagle_driver, thanks for your help! So you think I'll be able to surf smoothly or work smoothly with my setup? Or do you think 512's too little for the task?

First, Photoshop likes more RAM. 512MB is adequate, but 1GB is nice to have.

Second, a single 512MB stick won't take full advantage of either your mobo or your CPU, since the performance with just a single stick would be rather sluggish (dual-channel will not work at all with just a single stick of RAM). If you want only 512MB total, I'd recommend buying two 256MB sticks instead of the single 512MB stick; otherwise, I'd upgrade to 1GB.

 

[lojay]

Thanks, then I'll buy another 512 RAM later on as well.

 

[Shulaw05]

Before I go ahead and buy an intel based system...many of you have suggested that i go with AMD. I have heard that AMD systems are less expensive and perform just as well. I went ahead and priced out an AMD system, and it is only about $50 cheaper than the intel system i had. Here is what the AMD system would look like:

Case:
ANTEC Performance Plus Case with 430W Power Supply, Model "PLUS1080AMG" -RETAIL ($112)

CD\DVD Burners:
1) Lite-On Black 52X32X52X16 Combo Drive, Model SOHC-5232K, OEM Bulk Pack ($44)
2) NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A BLK, OEM BULK ($77)

Hard Drive:
Seagate 160GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model ST3160023AS, OEM ($114)

Memory:
Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM (2) ($82x2 = $164)

Motherboard:
MSI nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Athlon 64 Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8N Neo Platinum" (MS-7030) -RETAIL ($126)

Processor:
AMD Athlon XP 2800+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail


Any idea how I could cut money of here? Also, the Antec case comes with 3 80mm fans (2 rear exhaust and one top i think). there are 2 open slots in the front for intake. should i fill both those slots? If so, should i use 80mm or 120mm fans? Thanks.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shulaw05 Before I go ahead and buy an intel based system...many of you have suggested that i go with AMD. I have heard that AMD systems are less expensive and perform just as well. I went ahead and priced out an AMD system, and it is only about $50 cheaper than the intel system i had. Here is what the AMD system would look like: Case: ANTEC Performance Plus Case with 430W Power Supply, Model "PLUS1080AMG" -RETAIL ($112) CD\DVD Burners: 1) Lite-On Black 52X32X52X16 Combo Drive, Model SOHC-5232K, OEM Bulk Pack ($44) 2) NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive, Model ND-2510A BLK, OEM BULK ($77) Hard Drive: Seagate 160GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model ST3160023AS, OEM ($114) Memory: Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM (2) ($82x2 = $164) Motherboard: MSI nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Athlon 64 Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8N Neo Platinum" (MS-7030) -RETAIL ($126) Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2800+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail Any idea how I could cut money of here? Also, the Antec case comes with 3 80mm fans (2 rear exhaust and one top i think). there are 2 open slots in the front for intake. should i fill both those slots? If so, should i use 80mm or 120mm fans? Thanks.

That will still be a non-functioning system. You see, that Barton processor will not fit Socket 754 at all - it is a Socket A (462-pin) processor. You will need a Athlon64 processor that uses Socket 754.

 

[Shulaw05]

ah, thank you...i didn't even notice that. so...here are 2 combinations that should work:

1) ASUS "A7N8X-X" nForce2 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL and
AMD Athlon XP 2800+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail
Total = $188

2) MSI nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Athlon 64 Socket 754 CPU, Model "K8N Neo Platinum" (MS-7030) -RETAIL and
AMD Athlon 64 2800+, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor - Retail
Total = $291

So...option 1 is $100 cheaper...how would each of these perform? Keep in mind i'm not doing all that much serious gaming.

 

[Mr.Radar]

The second option will perform a bit faster in multimedia intensive and gaming situations, but otherwise you shouldn't notice a speed difference. The Athlon64 also does 64-bit but to take advantage of it today you'll need to use an x86-64 Linux distro. Also, Socket 754 is going to be relegated to the "budget" market by next year which means you'll have a limited upgrade path with that motherboard.

NOTE: All of the above is IMHO.

 

[Shulaw05]

I think the least expensive mobo/cpu combo would be ASUS "A7N8X-X" nForce2 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL ($67) & AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail ($87). From what i have read they are compatiable and easy to overclock. what else would i need to keep the system cool if i overclock? Right now i'm looking at an ANTEC Solution Series Super Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "SLK3700AMB" -RETAIL ($66). I would get a 120mm fan for the front intake, and i think it comes with a 120mm exhaust.

 

[Elec]

If you go for a Barton, you will probably want the mobile version of the 2500+, currently looks like $88 at Newegg. This is OEM however, so it will not come with a heatsink and fan. That's fine if you're already planning to purchase an upgraded heatsink and fan for overclocking purposes. The reason to go with a mobile Barton over a standard one is that the regular Bartons have been multiplier locked since fall of last year (can only adjust FSB speeds) while the mobile Bartons are still fully unlocked (can adjust FSB and multiplier). This gives you more options and flexability as far as overclocking goes. Stock speed on a 2500+ is 1.83GHz. Even the worst overclockers should get up to 2.1 or 2.2GHz and I've read reports of up to 2.6GHz or so on air cooling for people with lucky chips.

If you do go this route and overclock the CPU, your other gear all looks fine but you will be wanting a quality heatsink and fan. Overclocking involves running the chip faster than its default speed, and sometimes with higher voltage as well - both of these make the chip run hotter and so good cooling is important. I'd recommend something like this Zalman all-in-one unit (check to make sure it'll fit your motherboard and case before ordering): http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...118-108&depa=0

or one of these: http://www.svc.com/thermalright-brand.html
with an 80 or 92mm fan, depending on which heatsink you choose. The Zalman has gotten pretty good reviews and is relatively quiet, though it may not cool quite as well as a Thermalright heatsink and high flow fan. If you buy a Thermalright heatsink, you get to pick your own fan for it, which is nice because you can decide whether it's more important for you to have a quiet fan, or one that moves a lot of air for better cooling.

 

[Shulaw05]

i think the Thermalright "SLK900A" Copper Heatsink ($43), Vantec "ThermoFlow" Double Ball Bearing Case fan with Temp, Sensor, Model "TF9225" ($7) and "Arctic Silver 5", 3.5-gram( 1 cc. ) tube ($7.50) should work well. does the paste go right on the chip? does it go on anything else? you think the case has enough ventilation?

 

[Stephonovich]

Thermal goop (as affectionately called by Dan's Data) goes between the CPU die and heatsink. It's to fill in the miniscule gaps for better heat transfer. In real life, you'll save maybe 1-3C. But everyone I know still does it just because

Just bear in mind you use an insanely small amount. One tube ought to last you at least 10 computers, if not more. Seriously; you want so thin of a layer you can't even see it.

I just PM'd you about this, but I'll say it here; I second the opinions on the Mobile 2500+. For a mobo, what about this one? $95 from Newegg, and has AGP 8x, 5 PCI slots, onboard 10/100 LAN, SATA, RAID, IEEE 1394 (Firewire), and audio. Not that you'd be using the audio, of course

It also has USB 2.0, of course. It uses the nForce 2 Ultra chipset. Also if interest, it has support for up to 6 IDE devices, rather than the usual four. I doubt you'd use this (I would, but I'm a nutter), but it's something unusual.

As for cooling, that ThermalTake I sent you... here it is. A bit expensive, but as I said, cooling will never be an issue.

Oh, finally, about the AMD giving the same performance for less money... no. An OC'd 2500+ is going to give you way more performance than a P4 2.8, and for quite a bit less money. With that fan, you ought to be able to run up to around 2.5GHz just fine, from everything I've been reading. (remember, AMD's frequencies != Intel's frequencies) And it's $88 ($131 with the cooler) vs. $179 for the P4 2.8.


(-:Stephonovich

 

[Shulaw05]

The thermaltake is a heatsink and a fan, correct?