Upgrading my current rig

Master Skooter · 18 Apr 2007 at 12:48

It's my birthday tomorrow, hopefully getting a few squid to upgrade my current machine. Not getting a huge amount of dosh, but probably around £200 or so.

Current specs:

Abit NF7-S v2.0 (L12 mod etc)
XP 2500-M @ 2.4odd
Thermalright SP-97
XT800XT-PE 256Mb (AGP)
2Gb (2x1Gb) Corsair XMS PC3200

Was thinking of getting an ASRock 775Dual-VSTA & an E4300, then upgrading to PCI-E & DDR2 when funds allow.

Is this my best option?

Cheers
Scott

MrSeanKon · 18 Apr 2007 at 12:50

Master Skooter said:
It's my birthday tomorrow

Happy birthday!

Master Skooter said:
Was thinking of getting an ASRock

IMHO you should avoid mainboards like ASRock, Biostar and all budget manufacturers.
Prefer others e.g. Gigabyte, ASUS etc..

Master Skooter · 18 Apr 2007 at 12:54

Thanks for the Happy birthday

Are there other boards for the C2D CPU's that support AGP/DDR?

semi-pro waster · 18 Apr 2007 at 12:54

£200 isn't really enough for a full upgrade and I'm not sure you could sell your old parts for enough to make much of a dent so that sounds like a good plan although I am not totally sure that the 4300 is compatible with the ASRock but the 6300 definitely is.

ASRock are the only manufacturer that does these kind of hybrids I know of, they are usually solid enough but not good for overclocking.

Master Skooter · 18 Apr 2007 at 13:19

I understand that £200 isn't enough to replace the board/CPU/G.card/RAM, hence the thinking behind using the ASRock.

From what i've read the E4300 is compatible when using the latest BIOS. Also the OC isn't too bad, not amazing, but it would definately out perform my NForce-2/Barton setup

MrSeanKon · 18 Apr 2007 at 13:53

Master Skooter said:
Are there other boards for the C2D CPU's that support AGP/DDR?

I have no idea (cos I am AMD user) but you can buy a cheap PCI-E video card (30-40 Euros) which is better than your AGP.

semi-pro waster said:
ASRock are the only manufacturer they are usually solid enough but not good for overclocking.

I agree that's why I said above about budget mainboards.

Master Skooter · 18 Apr 2007 at 15:20

What's the roll-eyes all about? It was an honest question... :confused:

A £20 PCI-E card is better than a X800XT-PE 256Mb? :eek:

Overclocking isn't paramount here, surely a C2D rig would totally blitz my current set-up.

Nymins · 18 Apr 2007 at 15:26

The E4300 will destroy your current CPU even with the Asrock motherboard.

MrSeanKon · 18 Apr 2007 at 15:26

Master Skooter said:
A £20 PCI-E card is better than a X800XT-PE 256Mb?

Sorry I did not read the thread carefully.
Cos you have an AGP X800XT you have to:
1) Buy an AGP based mainboard.
2) Sell the card (if it is possible) and go to PCI-E world.

Master Skooter said:
Are there other boards for the C2D CPU's that support AGP/DDR?

I focus on this that's why I replied you above.

Master Skooter · 18 Apr 2007 at 15:47

Just read on the CPU forum about the forthcoming price drops. Also only just realised that the E4400 is available, as is the E6420 with 4Mb cache for only £13 more. Duh :rolleyes: