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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: Simp-Dawg on March 25, 2004, 01:19:51 PM
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ok, i need to upgrade my home pc, it's slow and outdated (amd k6-2 500mhz). i don't want to spend an exorbitant (sp) amount of money on a new system,, so i think i'll just replace the mobo and cpu and then reinstall a fresh version of windows....i like amd since they're cheaper but am not against going intel.
just asking if anyone has upgraded recently and knows of good deals, or has recommendations on certain brands to avoid or look for.
i have been browsing newegg and tigerdirect.com and have found some options, but any advice is welcome.
would like to get a package deal too if possible with mobo, cpu, power supply and maybe more shit. i don't really need a case as i already have one.
thanks!
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I too have been looking in to building a new system. I have been looking at many brands and features and I always seem to be spending the most time looking at ASUS boards. A lot of the guys I work with run them and all speak highly of them.
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also does anyone know of any really great mobo search tools? like if i wanted to find one with amd socket a, firewire leads/ports and 400mhz fsb for example, a search engine that searches by features instead of just brand, price, etc. the one on newegg is okay but not great.
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simp, you will also have to replace RAM and even possibly your power supply
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yeah that's what i'm thinkin too, as far as getting a bundle is concerned. maybe a barebones kit would be my best best on that.
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Simp barebones is probably best. Then just pick up some RAM. You can save money by going AMD instead of Intel but I'm sure you figured that out already.
Just some general advice to follow, no brand/models:
I'd strive to find a motherboard with less on board features the better, honestly, as most are crappy. This is in regards mostly to video and audio on board. Some do have decent to good built in NIC's but do some HW to see if it's a repuatible/trouble free one. Anyways, most likely a PCI card will be a better solution (most definately in audio/video and probably in NIC/firewire/usb).
I can say I never have had problems with onboard USB/Firewire but never seem to get those damn on board audio/video slots to work.
http://www.pricewatch.com has the ability to search for certain Motherboard Combos, which you might find helpful in getting a good deal on CPU/Mobo together.
You'll see more of an impact in performance by upgrading the memory then the processor. What I mean is that if you are looking between a 1.5GHz processor w/512meg of RAM or a 2.0GHz w/128megs, the 1.5GHz processor computer would probably feel like a faster machine. So perhaps consider that when comparing close processors, save some of that money for more RAM later. Of course, this applies to those with the same FSB/cache/etc.
Ack, sorry for the length.. forgot something. Don't forget to check out reviews pertaining to the chipsets your looking at. There is some difference in terms of performance when you compare SiS chipsets to VIA--I've heard good things about the nForce2.
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motherboards for AMD...find a board with the Nvidia nforce 2 chipsets.
decent video(geforce2), audio and good ethernet ports are onboard and for a decent price
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Soyo DRAGON series boards are nice, I've mentioned them in the past. One notable feature is the onboard audio chip is a CMI 3667 (could be wrong on the chip #), which is the same one used on Zoltrix Nightengale boards - bit perfect xfers via the included SPDIF interface...
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Soyo's are definitely the best. Got mine back when I was running a PC, a Soyo Dragon Plus.
Would you be interested in buying used? I'm not using my PC at all anymore. It can support Athlon XP's (although it has a Thunderbird 1.4 in it right now). PM me if you want...
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John, if Simp's not interested, drop me a PM if you'd still like to get rid of it.. I have an empty case sitting here and could use a print server since my laser jet isn't supported by linux. No big deal tho... tx.
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Go to mwave.com and get a barebones system or just a motherboard/ram combo. For $9 they will test you motherboad/ram. I have purchased 20+ systems from them over the years for friends and family and myself. They also have prices very close to the best you can find on pricewatch.
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I've got a Gigabyte board that I am really happy w/. Has a ton of expansion slots, 4 IDE channels, onboard LAN, etc....
mitch
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avoid MSI boards at all costs. we lose about 1 a week at work. so glad we buy hp pc's now.
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add FIC to that list. ^