CPU Upgrade Possibilities??

[Buffalo]

Hi All,

I used to be totally up-to-date with all the hardware developments, but I've been so tied up with network stuff for so long, that I have little idea how it all works now.

I am looking to upgrade my machine. The current stats are:

Dual AthlonXP 2400+
Asus A7M-266D Motherboard (266Mhz FSB, 3 x 64bit PCI, 2 x 32bit PCI)
2Gb RAM (PC2100)
2 x 250Gb HDD
Geforce 4 ti4200 (128Mb)
+ a few other bits and bobs...

Due to constant fiddling and overclocking, it's starting to become a tad unreliable. It's also extremely loud and produces a crap-load of heat.

I've basically decided on an Intel CPU (probably a Pentium, but a Zeon is also a possibility, depending on the cost), due to the heat and noise benefits. But I'm also interested in hearing about the new generation of AMD chips, including the Athlon64 range.

Here are my questions:

1) If I DO go for a 64bit CPU, which should I go for (Zeon or Athlon64)?

2) It seems a waste to have to replace my 2Gb of PC2100 RAM. Can I use it in the current mobos or do I need to trade it in or replace it?

3) The 3.4Ghz CPUs that I've looked at have a 800Mhz or greater FSB specified. Does that mean I have to use a mobo with the same speed FSB? If so do I have to get RAM to match?

4) Will my current 400w power supply be ok for a new mobo?

Thanks in advance for your help... :)

BTW - Cheap Dual-socket motherboard and CPUs going cheap! :)

[plext]

1. In my limited testing, the Athlon has seemed to be the more capable of the two. However, I would not be jumping on the 64 bit bandwagon just yet as the software to use it is not really out there yet, and the stuff that is tends to be server centric.

2. This will need to go. You could possibly get it working by fiddling with memory/fsb ratios, but you would be crippling the new system with a memory bottleneck.

3. The FSB will not be 800 but 200 with a 4x multiplier. Most new p4 boards support this, and it is always evident on the shop/vendors website as to which frequencies are supported by a particular board. The RAM will want to be at least pc3200 which provides for a 400MHz frequency with a 2x multiplier. If you are looking to overclock, go for higher spec.

4. If my memory (the real stuff, which is much less reliable than pc3200) serves me, that psu has all the connectors required for a p4 motherboard.

[DOGG]

I reckon investing in a fast 32 bit computer is the way to go right now.

I built a computer for a friend some months ago. What i would get is:

XP 2800 (12.5x166=2080mhz) OC'd to 11x210=2400mhz $210
2x512 Corsair pc3200 cas2 $420
Asus nforce 2 deluxe mobo $200
Radeon 9800 $700
HSF $60
2x120G WD SATA in RAID = $360

Total = $1950

I'm assuming you have a case/PSU and KB/mouse/monitor.

Ofcourse these are rough estimates im sure you could find better deals.

Ohh yeah noise isnt really an issue. I put a zalman (quiet) cooler on my friends comp and the temperature is fine and computer stable. His two case fans make more noise. But i do know what you mean about noise. My fan can generate over 70db of sound and it gets really annoying. I used to cover my computer case in couch cushions (which defeats the purpose of having insane cooling) until i discovered the Q-fan feature of my asus mobo which auto adjusts it's speed according to temperature. My antec power supply also controls my case fans (as well as it's own) according to temp. So the computer is running much quiter now.

Also you may want to read this (http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20031223/index.html)