Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Kaz on February 24, 2004, 01:50:36 PM

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Kaz on February 24, 2004, 01:50:36 PM

My current system specs:

ASUS P4G8X Deluxe
P4 1.5GHz Willamette
1 x 512MB DDR PC 2700
Sound Blaster live value
ATI Radeon 9500 Pro 128MB


Going to this:

P4 3.06GHz 533MHz FSB
1GB RAM (2 x 512MB DDR PC 2700)

I'd like to get a great cheap case(as good as cheap cases can get :)), something under $50 USD

Current case is generic cheapo crap. Came with no fans just passive cooling in the form of side vents and front vents(pen tip sized holes about 3" across and 4 1/2 inches high) with a place for an 80mm fan which I installed later on. Though the metal casing that came with the case which holds the fan blocks some of the airflow :rolleyes:

I bought a PSU with 2 fans but it's mounted vertically(power cable on top, extractor fan below) with the in case extractor fan almost directly over the Northbridge heatsink fan.

I had been under the impression that the heatsink fan was an extractor type :(

So it seems that I'm making both my Northbridge fan and PSU fan do more work than is necessary.

I'd like a Mid Tower case that mounts the PSU horizontally and comes with at least one rear and one side fan, front fan for hard drive(s) would be a plus.
Current case has 3 x 5.25" drive bays external
2 x 3.5" external, 1 internal
7 expansion slots in the rear

Any recommendations welcome, TIA!

Title: Upgrading
Post by: bloom25 on February 24, 2004, 03:40:49 PM

Quick question:  If you have a Willamette core P4 (Socket 423) and you are going to replace it with a Socket 478 Northwood 'B' type 3.06 P4, did you get a new motherboard as well?  Are you sure you have a Willamette 1.5 P4?  I wasn't aware they made the P4G8X with a socket 423 option...

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Monty405 on February 24, 2004, 04:26:53 PM

Enlight and Antec makes basic cases, might look boring but does the job

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Kaz on February 24, 2004, 04:49:40 PM

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/ah_126_1077662725.jpg)

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/ah_126_1077662866.jpg)

Well there's the info didn't realize Willamette was Socket 423

Thanks for the suggestions Monty I'll look into those.

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Overlag on February 24, 2004, 10:15:13 PM

can i recommend an A64 setup? much faster and cheaper too! :aok

A64 3400
Asus K8V

sorted :D

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Kaz on February 25, 2004, 08:58:31 AM

A64 3400 costs $431 USD, P4 3.06 GHz costs $229 USD at newegg.

Think you got the P4 Xeon 3.06GHz ($481 USD) mixed up with the one I want :D

Thanks for the recommendation though :aok

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Overlag on February 25, 2004, 09:54:12 AM

Quote

Originally posted by Kaz
A64 3400 costs $431 USD, P4 3.06 GHz costs $229 USD at newegg.

Think you got the P4 Xeon 3.06GHz ($481 USD) mixed up with the one I want :D

Thanks for the recommendation though :aok

thats because the P4 3.06 isnt for sale over here anymore...only 800fsb models. What does a A64 3000cost? that would be MILES faster than a 533 model P4 ;)

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Kaz on February 25, 2004, 11:12:45 AM

A64 3000 costs $227 USD at newegg but then I'd have to get a new motherboard and I really want that extra 512MB RAM.

The way I want to upgrade saves me having to get a new motherboard not to mention a fair amount of $ :)

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Overlag on February 25, 2004, 07:20:52 PM

Quote

Originally posted by Kaz
A64 3000 costs $227 USD at newegg but then I'd have to get a new motherboard and I really want that extra 512MB RAM.

The way I want to upgrade saves me having to get a new motherboard not to mention a fair amount of $ :)

true.... are you sure it runs that cpu though?:)

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Kaz on February 25, 2004, 10:11:24 PM

Yep pretty sure.

From the website:

CPU Type: Intel Pentium 4  CPU Name: P4-3.06 GHz(533 MHz FSB) (HyperThreading)

Motherboard | Since PCB | Since BIOS | Memo  

P4G8X Deluxe | ALL | ALL | With IAA version 2.2.2 or later.

Title: Upgrading
Post by: humble on February 25, 2004, 10:39:15 PM

I just bought a new case from Fry's that is easily the best mid-towere I've ever bought. I cant find reciept right now but the instructutions sat TU midtower. It's an intel designed case was $60...is a "heat designed" case of some kind to help keep temps down...only thing I didnt like was power supply (350W)...but you wont find a case with more in that range anyway...is a white and blue box TU-????.

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Kaz on February 26, 2004, 12:32:37 PM

Thanks Humble, I'm now thinking that sticking with my current case before I go out and buy a new one is the best idea (cough*money* cough)

But you should check out newegg.com they have lots of great cases I'm hearing good things about the Antec cases(because they come with Antec power supplies) particularly the 3700AMB or something like that, costs about $67 USD.

Overlag you bastage! now you got me thinking :D
Did a little research and from what I've seen, the P4 2.4C is almost on par with the P4 3.06B

Bloom HELP!! :)

I could get a Barton 2500 and mobo for much cheaper but the P4 2.4C seems to have longer legs *if* I decide to overclock. I want something that will last me at least a couple of years, that's the bottom line.

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Overlag on February 26, 2004, 05:28:33 PM

Quote

Originally posted by Kaz
Thanks Humble, I'm now thinking that sticking with my current case before I go out and buy a new one is the best idea (cough*money* cough)

But you should check out newegg.com they have lots of great cases I'm hearing good things about the Antec cases(because they come with Antec power supplies) particularly the 3700AMB or something like that, costs about $67 USD.

Overlag you bastage! now you got me thinking :D
Did a little research and from what I've seen, the P4 2.4C is almost on par with the P4 3.06B

Bloom HELP!! :)

I could get a Barton 2500 and mobo for much cheaper but the P4 2.4C seems to have longer legs *if* I decide to overclock. I want something that will last me at least a couple of years, that's the bottom line.

haha got you :rofl

most (err all) P4 2400s will lock to over 3.6ghz with the know how... most Barton 2500s can be clocked to 3200 speeds if you have a 400fsb board....free performance anyone? :)

problem is all P4's with 800fsb need dual channel PC3200 memory (unless you wana downgrade) and with most "good" barton boards you need dual channel as well (although it doesnt increase performance that much...)

are P4 C's 2400 even forsale anymore? they become really rare over here lately....

Anyway, some brief system ideas

P4 C, 2400 - 2800
Asus P4C800e deluxe (P4P800 deluxe would be slightly slower and less overclockable)
Corsair PC3200 LLPT, 2x256 or 2x512

Barton 2500
Asus A7N8X-E deluxe or Abit AN7
Corsair PC3200 LLPT, 2x256 or 2x512

A64 3000 - 3400
Asus K8V deluxe
Corsair PC3200 LLPT, 1x512mb or 2x512 (no need for dual channel)

If you want something thats going to last a couple of years, try the A64...with WinXP 64bit coming out in a years time, and once programs start getting made to take advantage of 64bits, it might get "faster" the older it gets, if you know what i mean :confused:

Title: Upgrading
Post by: LSJ on February 27, 2004, 06:56:48 AM

If you wanted to overclock what about a DFI infinity board and a mobile 2400-2500+, Ive seen them clocked up to as much as 285fsb. Maybe a mobile Xp is another option?

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Overlag on February 27, 2004, 09:07:33 AM

Quote

Originally posted by LSJ
If you wanted to overclock what about a DFI infinity board and a mobile 2400-2500+, Ive seen them clocked up to as much as 285fsb. Maybe a mobile Xp is another option?

true, since the mobiles are unlocked and run at a VERY low voltage....these chips are an overclockers dream :aok

Title: Upgrading
Post by: humble on February 27, 2004, 09:42:19 AM

I know a bit...but not much...about overclocking. What are best sites to upgrade the knowledge base...I have a couple of systems I can play with to learn on.

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Overlag on February 27, 2004, 10:11:10 AM

http://www.overclockers.com
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums

Title: Upgrading
Post by: Kaz on February 27, 2004, 11:44:52 AM

http://www.hardocp.com is another good site for overclocking check their forums.

It's wait and see now should be getting basically the same system outlined 1st in your list Overlag.

Hope everything works on arrival because I don't know the RMA policy for newegg. Wait here, while I look it up. :)

Title: Upgrading
Post by: DAVENRINO on February 27, 2004, 12:36:23 PM

Newegg RMA policy one of the best.
DJ229

Title: Upgrading
Post by: LSJ on February 27, 2004, 06:55:05 PM

Yeah the mobile Xp's are where the over-clocking is at. Asus are good but have you investigated the DFI motherboard? It would be imho the best over-clocking capable board out there.