Looking at trying AMD...

[iKo]

I love AMD built over 83 pc's with them. I am running a 2500 Barton chip now that’s runs great at 3100 11.5x190 fsb with just a good CPU thermaltake fan, over clocked no problem. In Asus mobo A7N8X Deluxe and duel channel 1GB of DDR ram. Chip is 90 bucks and the mobo is about 88. That’s it and get any case you want. Only thing is AMD has now locked all the Multipliers to there chip's so you would have to find an older chips that are unlocked. If you can’t find one than the new 2600 bartons still will take a 185 fsb setting and runs great. I can find you the dates on when AMD had the Barton multipliers unlocked but will have to look it up for you if you are interested.
For only around 170 bucks for chip and board it will run any game out there to date with no problem at all. I would wait on the 64's and you still have good ram you can use and case for later date. BTW I used http://www.newegg.com for all my stuff I get never have a problem and they always work with ya.

 AMD Athlon XP 2800+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - OEM (limit 10 per customer)  

- Specifications -

Model: AMD Athlon XP 2800+
Core: Barton
Operating Frequency: 2.08GHz
FSB: 333MHz
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/512K
Voltage: 1.5V
Wattage: 55W
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket A
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: OEM (Processor only)  

Model#: AXDL2800DLV4D
Item#: N82E16819103509  

Rating:      Vote(s): 54     Review(s): 4  
Free FedEx Saver Shipping  
 
  Yes  $90.00  

ASUS "A7N8X-E Deluxe" nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL
**This item is warranted through the product manufacturer only.    


- Specifications -

Chipset: NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 + MCP-T
FSB: 400/333/266/200MHz
RAM: 3x DIMM for Dual-Channel DDR400/333/266 Max 3GB
IDE: 2x ATA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP Pro/8X, 5x PCI, 1x Wi-Fi
Ports: 2xPS2,1xLPT,1xCOM,2xLAN,6xUSB2.0(Rear 4),SPDIF Out,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC650 6-Channel Codec
Onboard LAN: Realtek 8201BL 10/100Mbps + Marvell 88E8001 GbE
Onboard SATA/RAID: 2x Serial ATA by Silicon Image Sil3112A, RAID 0/1
Form Factor: ATX  

Model#: A7N8X-E Deluxe
Item#: N82E16813131478  

Rating:      Vote(s): 477     Review(s): 301  
FedEx Saver Shipping $3.00  
 
  Yes  $88.00

[wetrat]

Originally posted by Wolf14
I am thinking of putting together myself a new computer using an AMD processor. Thing is I don't know much about AMD stuff.

Can any of you AMD guys recomend a good motherboard/ cpu combo?

I am looking for a good combo that has good high end specs in a stock set-up but will also let me overclock if I decide to play around.

I'm running an MSI Neo mobo (I think the model number is K8N? dunno, if you're interested I'll look) and an athlon64 3200+. I highly recommend this combo, particularly the AMD64's in general. I noticed a huge increase in performance going from an XP2800 running at 3200 speeds to a 64bit running at 3200 stock. Plus the 64bit version of windows is coming out this spring... windows sucks, but PC's still have the gaming market cornered

[aztec]

Some very interesting stuff here...anyone know if I can put a 3200+ on my ECS k7s5a Mobo?

[Widewing]

Originally posted by RedBeard
I like the ASUS too (have 3 A7N8Xs running in the house right now), but I can't say they've never had a problem.  The onboard USB has not worked with one of my USB devices and no help from ASUS support at all.  I have another with sproradic spontaneous  reboots, but it may be due to my son fiddling with the memory DIMMs and not reseating them properly.

I've had similar issues with ASUS P4P MBs. Only two of the USB ports recognize my Fuji 5200 camera, but recognize my Kodak 7930... Beats me as to why. Seems to be a common thing. Likewise, my X-45 only works with the rear USB ports. On two ports, it will not initialize the stick unless you restart by cutting power at the UPS instead of the standard auto-shutdown.

My regards,

Widewing

[Icer]

Originally posted by mars01
Hey all,

Stupid question - If the OS is not written for 64 bit or the Software is not written to use 64 bit do you see any benefit?

No.

[CYLONN]

Just got the AMD 64  system from TigerDirect running.

Originally purchased the combo with the 3400 cpu, but got CPU failed test on first boot.  Traced this to un-matched RAM, was running twin Corsair 2x256 pc 3200 and 1-512mb stick. Booted fine after removing the 512 stick( as per instructions from ASUS support) They also said the latency timings of the ram have to match, so I'll be upgrading to 2x512 sticks of dual channel ram.

Should've called first b4 exchanging the 3400 for the 3500 retail box...lost my rebate over this.  Just make sure the heatsink you get is of good quality, the Masscool one it ships with is very "cheap".  At least they over-nighted it to me for free.

ASUS A8V deluxe
AMD64-3500 cpu
BFG 6800GT oc
2x256 twin Corsair XMS pc3200 ram
400W psu
Audigy 2ZS soundcard...no problems Skuzzy w/VIA chipset.

[TBolt A-10]

Originally posted by Slash27
For the money I wouldnt pass up the AMD64.


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1133509&CatId=1683


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1160416&CatId=1683

These seem like a good place to start.

Tigerdirect was recommended to me by a couple of techs.  They always follow-up on your rebates for ya.  Good service, too.  Or, so I've been told.

[TBolt A-10]

Originally posted by 68DevilM
id wait..

thier comeing out with PCI express now, and soon, agp will be obsolete.

im waiting till next year

Looked it up: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/PCI_Express.html

Question...is the PCI Express card simply backward compatible without the added benefit?  Or, will a 2-yr old system see the difference in speed when adding a PCI Express card?  (just curious...not shopping, now)

Thank you!

[Karnak]

An AGP card or a PCI card will not work in a PCI Express slot.

[TBolt A-10]

Originally posted by Karnak
An AGP card or a PCI card will not work in a PCI Express slot.

cc.  and, i would imagine that one cannot add PCI Express to an older motherboard, right?  duh...of course not.

[x0847Marine]

Originally posted by Wolf14
Guys I cant say enough, I greatly appreciate all the help yall have provided. I am close to comming up on a move so my plans are going to be delayed.

As far as cpu goes I believe I'm gonna gun for an Athlon 3400+ 939.

On the motherboards I am split between ASUS and Gigabyte. I havent really decided on an ASUS board yet but for the Gigabyte I am leaning towards the GA- K8NS Ultra 939.

Although  one of the 3400+ 939 systems from Tigerdirect with an upgraded power supply isnt out of the question either.

And again thanks for the help.

Great advice all around.

I always use Gigabyte mobos and AMD CPU's, never an issue... the dual BIOS feature comes in real handy, a BIOS update is as easy as running the app they provide.. it gets the latest from thier server you're done.

But you can't go wrong with Asus or MSI either.

I just put a 'budget' gaming system together for a friend, XP3200+, Gigabyte K7 Triton (supports 8 HD's...lol), 1G PC3200... 256M 5700le clocked to 400mhz...  it was super cheap and runs like a 190 on crack.

Else the A64 is the only way to go for a few extra bucks.

[mwjayd]

This is the mb/cpu  I  use http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1178956&CatId=1734  I love it also have the ATI 9800 XT 256 meg vedio card with it ...

[Overlag]

Originally posted by mars01
Hey all,

Stupid question - If the OS is not written for 64 bit or the Software is not written to use 64 bit do you see any benefit?

no, but K8 (all a64 chips) core design is still much faster than the old K7 design

[38ruk]

aztec look up your old thread in hardware software , i found the info for your board and posted it some time ago   38

[bj229r]

I recently put together a cheap system---Athlon 754 3200, Asus K87SE board (does SATA raid), GeForce 5700 (256 bit) whole mess was like 400 bucks, get 59 frames with EVERTHING maxed. ..How much more ya need? This is soo cool, I can fly fighter  missions now--like whole new game