Upgrade Spec - Suggestions please

monkeysmith

monkeysmith

monkeysmith

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3 Jun 2005
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Hi,

Would be greatful if anyone could help me out with some upgrade suggestions.

Current Spec:

MSI KT400V Skt A
AMD 2600xp
1gb ram (333mhz)
X800 Pro 256MB ATI GFX Card AGP
Soundblaster Live

Sound isn't that important, happy with the sound card I have. I have a budget of around £250, I know it isn't much, but thats life.

My thoughts are to go for AMD 3800X2, ASRock 939 + AGP mobo - use the same ram, same gfx card. Could even go for a higher cpu.

I use the computer for work and games.

Thank you all for any advice.
 
I'd say get that gear but get some better/more RAM, you'd do a lot better these days for games and general OS use to have 2GB of RAM rather than just the 1GB.

InvG
 
Excellent, thanks.

Will probably do that - just looking at an extra 1gb. Is it ok to mix the OCValue 333mhz ram with 1gb of 400mhz ram? Will probably go for a brand, not sure - is it worth it?
 
Not really, it'll clock the 400Mhz RAM down to 333Mhz, effectivly giving you two sticks of 333Mhz for a little more cash. I'd say get a set of 400Mhz dual channel, even if you don't have a DC mobo it's cheaper than buying two sets of 1GB.

InvG
 
Which one would you pick?

Looking at the options, and also reading everyones reviews of the new intel chip, im swaying towards them, which is an area I have never ever touched, always been a amd fan.

Option 1.
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 4600+ (Socket 939) £164.49
Asrock 939Dual-SATA2 AGP £44.64
OcUK Value 1GB (2x512MB) PC3200 184pin DDR Memory Dual Channel Kit £76.36

Can reuse the AGP card, aswell as the 2 512mb 333Mhz ram I already have - total 2gb.

Total: £285.49


Option 2.
Intel Core 2 DUO E6400 "LGA775 Allendale" 2.13GHz £164.49
Asrock 775DUAL-VSTA motherboard skt775 VIA PT880 1066FSB PCI-E AGP £37.54 (not sold by OCUK :( )

Reuse AGP card, but stick with 1gb 333Mhz ram - as this board only has 2 DDR slots and 2 x DDR2 slots. Then save up and get 2gb DDR2 in a month or so.

Total: £202.03

Could then afford a new case with option 2, as current one is just a cheapy pants one.

What would you pick, what do you think? Thoughts, suggestions greatly appreciated.

Richard
 
Will the intel core2 chip run ok with my older 333mhz ram? I've read that you need ddr2 ram. I do plan to get ddr2 in the future, but was trying to save the cost a bit and upgrade stage by stage.

Thanks for your help & comments.
 
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