Advice on Athlon XP-M, please?

[clemenzina]

At the moment I'm stuck with an ASRock K7VT2 266fsb running Athlon XP 2000+. I'd like to speed it up a little bit but the 266fsb 2600+ (max the board will take) is hard to find. Could you explain if the M version should fit, or is it a thin CPU that requires the seating to be filed down so that the heatsink will fit closely enough? (I've been reading, you see )

OR... just wondering if you think I could overclock existing? I did it years ago with a K6-III 450+ on a GA5AX, but am a bit rusty and nervous, and I don't know if this board is flexible.

I've haven't got DDR Ram, but the board would take it (if you think that would significantly improve performance). Ages ago I tried adding a second stick of 512 SDR in but it wouldn't boot.

Any advice appreciated,

clemenzina

 

[clemenzina]

Thanks, Mattus, I was hoping a WiseGuy would say that. As for getting another board, when I do I'll probably go for a 754 because there are some bargains to suit me, it's just that I can't afford mobo/DDR/CPU at the moment.

However, browsing eBay last night I came across this pic attached to an Athlon XP-M 2600+ (seller's photo of test) and it's given me second thoughts about the mobile:

My XP 2000+ runs at over 1.67GHz!

Mike, where do I find bargain Socket A CPU's significantly faster than the one I've got? Used ones are going for £50+++++ on eBay (266fsb) - a lot of them are 'untested, no refunds' - and new ones are no longer retailed.

I'm grateful for you advice on this humble topic ,

clemenzina

 

[clemenzina]

That's exactly the sort of setup I've been looking at. Thanks!

c.

 

[clemenzina]

I think I'll try to get the Biostar TForce6100 (Skt 754, they do a 939 too) - I've been reading buyers' reviews at Newegg.com and they report onboard graphics and sound to be good quality and superb overclocking BIOS.

When you think of it, that's such a cheap option! No video or sound card to buy, and the board will play all but the most recent games (not that I play any but it speaks for the quality of the graphics).

You see, the only reason I need to upgrade is so's I can let my brother have my CPU and stop him using my PC for converting files and stuff that makes his crash. Except... I've also got the urge to upgrade, and I can blame him so he doesn't scowl at me for spending money

c.

 

[clemenzina]

Going for a cheap Sempron 64 system with 256KB cache (don't get the 128KB cache CPUs)

I meant to mention how grateful I am for that advice - I might not have noticed otherwise, and sometimes the info is lost in the mist!

clemenzina

 

[clemenzina]

Sempron 64 - Is L1 Cache 128kb, L2 Cache 256kb OK?

c.

 

[clemenzina]

I've ordered a Sempron 64 3100+ L2 256kb, with a Biostar GeForce6100 mobo which, if flashed with TForce6100 bios, is a great overclocker, I'm told (as I've posted elsewhere here, and Biostar-US sent me the latest bios within minutes of me telling them it wouldn't download from their site).

I'll only ever have a superficial understanding of PC matters, but I do read a lot before I do anything new and haven't come a-cropper so far... it's great having advice on tap from you fellas

clemenzina

 

[clemenzina]

Oh no. not the 3100???

Only joking my good friend.

Me too

clemenzina