03-27-2006, 03:05 PM
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#1
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Regular User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 40
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AMD Advice
Since I've had an Intel based machine for the last 2 years, I have fallen behind with the AMD scene. Im currently looking into an upgrade since my trusty P4 is starting to show its age and is giving me stability problems.
I have been looking on various sites including Overclockers.co.uk, Ebuyer.com, and many more (too many to list), and I have realised I don't know the best AMD setup to be looking at.
Im looking for a motherboard, processor, ram and graphics card. I don't have a massive budget availble for this upgrade, but I want something that has some go.
Just for reference my current spec is listed below;
Intel Pentium 4 'Prescott' 3.0ghz
1024Mb Kingston DDR400 RAM
Intel D865GBFL Mainboard
ATI Radeon 9800PRO (Sapphire Board)
2x Maxtor SATA150 300GB HDD
plus the usual dvd drives
This is in a Lian-Li PC7-Plus case which has front (120mm), top (60mm) and rear (80mm) fans. Plus the optional PCI Exhaust fan (80mm I think). My CPU cooler is a Scythe Ninja (That damn prescott ain't easy to keep cool) with a 120mm fan. Im fairly sure that this problem isn't related to overheating.
Any advice will be gratefully recieved.
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03-27-2006, 04:01 PM
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#2
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Regular User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: London
Posts: 3,381
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Now this is a product of envy if ever I saw one!
Although, you best not kick my ass with an AMD processor just after sorting out mine :roll:
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03-27-2006, 05:49 PM
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#3
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Regular User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Santiago, Chile
Posts: 2,558
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Opteron 146
1024 XMS , Firestick or any good overclocking ram ... wait till thamar arrives ...
Epox or DFI Motherboard for 939 ... Look for Nforce 4 Ultra
As for the graphic card ... a cheap one must be a Nvidia 7600gt or ATI x1600xt
Look at them in newegg.com ... i dont have time to look at the site for you now ...
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"It changes direction like a fly, grips like a barnacle and goes like a jet fighter on combat power" ( Lambo Gallardo ) .JC.
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03-27-2006, 05:50 PM
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#4
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Regular User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Santiago, Chile
Posts: 2,558
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Originally Posted by thamar
MSI K8N Diamond+
X2 3800
Some good memory, 2x512 ddr500
7900GT
And you're all good to go
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He said he was on a budget thamar , which part of that you didnt understand the 7900gt is quite expensive
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"It changes direction like a fly, grips like a barnacle and goes like a jet fighter on combat power" ( Lambo Gallardo ) .JC.
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03-27-2006, 06:08 PM
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#5
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Regular User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 40
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Thanks for the replies, I will be having a close look at the products suggested.
Jon, I assure you this is unrelated. My pc has been doing some wierd things the last few days. :cry:
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03-28-2006, 04:46 AM
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#6
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Regular User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: London
Posts: 3,381
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Yeah yeah :roll: he he
See you on Sat 0X
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03-28-2006, 05:02 AM
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#7
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Regular User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Posts: 3,184
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Motherboards - go for MSI (Microstar Int.) or ASUS with socket 939 of course. I really don't know what else to say as "not a massive budget" only slightly narrows things down :p
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03-28-2006, 06:43 AM
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#8
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Regular User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 40
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I've got a figure of £600 to play with, but that is a maximum. I won't be able to push much further than that. I have worked out I can make about £200 by selling the bits from my old pc, plus I can put up £400.
Hopefully, that will help any recommendations.
Thanks.
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03-28-2006, 06:54 AM
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#9
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Regular User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: London
Posts: 3,381
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So, you have roughly:
£200 on a graphics card
£200 on a processor
£100 on RAM
£100 on a motherboard
edit: what about this for a starting point:
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03-28-2006, 07:30 AM
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#10
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Regular User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 40
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what are peoples views on the DFI boards vs. the MSI boards? I want to make sure I end up with a board that is going to be realible, overclocking is something I would look into in the future, but not straight away.
Edit:
I'd prefer to get DDR2 memory if I can, I have noticed the DFI boards don't seem to have one available with DDR2.
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03-28-2006, 09:49 AM
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#11
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Regular User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 40
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Update, I have been offered an AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+, and a MSI K8N-SLI motherboard for £200 all in. Opinions required, as this is a limited time offer.
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03-28-2006, 10:19 AM
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#12
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Regular User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: London
Posts: 3,381
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Umm, I thought AMD did not support DDR2 yet?
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03-28-2006, 10:59 AM
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#13
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Regular User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,566
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:shock: With your current specs I wouldnt want to upgrade until Hard drive are replaced by NAND Flash Drives...
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03-28-2006, 11:41 AM
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#14
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Regular User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 40
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Originally Posted by jon_s
Umm, I thought AMD did not support DDR2 yet?
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My bad, been doing some research and just noticed that. d'oh!! :roll: My bad. Told you I was out of touch with AMD stuff.
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03-28-2006, 11:59 AM
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#15
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Regular User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: London
Posts: 3,381
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Originally Posted by thamar
Btw, do like normal people, talk about €'s or $'s
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Normal!! Cheeky; the ££££££££££ rules
hehe
but for reference:
Overall budget = £600 or 800€
which breaks down to:
GFX card: 290€
Motherboard: 145€
RAM: 145€
Processor: 290€
and the deal on the table is 290€ for AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+, and a MSI K8N-SLI motherboard which looks like a bargain to me :shock:
As you can only use DDR could you not use your current Kingston stuff? which would leave room for something like the Gainward (or a 7900GT - 256) as well as a Zalman water cooler thingy! Well, maybe a bit of a squeeze 8)
I think I should start a new job
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