Ugrading CPU from a AMD XP 2800+, any ideas

[MrC 0]

Hey guys, I'm thinking of upgrading my CPU as i have some extra cash coming in soon. Does anyone have any suggestions? My rig is listed as follows, using Asus PCprobe:

CPU(s)

Number of CPUs 1

Name AMD Athlon XP

Code Name Thoroughbred

Specification AMD Athlon XP 2800+

Family / Model / Stepping 6 8 1

Extended Family / Model 7 8

Package Socket A

Core Stepping B0

Technology 0.13 µ

Supported Instructions Sets MMX, Extended MMX, 3DNow!, Extended 3DNow!, SSE

CPU Clock Speed 2245.8 MHz

Clock multiplier x 13.5

Front Side Bus Frequency 166.4 MHz

Bus Speed 332.7 MHz

L1 Data Cache 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size

L1 Instruction Cache 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size

L2 Cache 256 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size

L2 Speed 2245.8 MHz (Full)

L2 Location On Chip

L2 Data Prefetch Logic yes

L2 Bus Width 64 bits

Mainboard and chipset

Motherboard manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer INC.

Motherboard model A7N8X, REV 1.xx

BIOS vendor Phoenix Technologies, LTD

BIOS revision ASUS A7N8X Deluxe ACPI BIOS Rev 1008

BIOS release date 03/29/2004

Chipset nVidia nForce2 SPP rev. A2

Southbridge nVidia nForce2 MCP rev. A3

Sensor chip Asus ASB100

Graphic Interface AGP

AGP Status enabled, rev. 3.0

AGP Data Transfert Rate 8x

AGP Max Rate 8x

AGP Side Band Addressing supported, enabled

AGP Aperture Size 256 MBytes

Memory

DRAM Type DDR-SDRAM

DRAM Size 1024 MBytes

DRAM Frequency 166.4 MHz

FSB:DRAM 1:1

CAS# Latency 2.5 clocks

RAS# to CAS# 3 clocks

RAS# Precharge 3 clocks

Cycle Time (TRAS) 7 clocks

# of memory modules 2

Module 0 Melco DDR-SDRAM PC2700 - 512 MBytes

Module 1 Melco DDR-SDRAM PC2700 - 512 MBytes

Software

Windows version Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 1 (Build 2600)

DirectX version 9.0c

I'm happy with my gfx card and my soundcard, and i can't really afford anymore than £150, perhaps £200 at the most. I was considering overclocking the CPU but as i have no experience with that, and i can't afford to bust this PC, I not to keen on doing it myself. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks, MrC.

[CrowmanUK 0]

I think the best cpu you can get in that motherboard is the xp3200+

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo...roductID=132129

83 quid

But, your cpu is already running faster than that anyway

an xp2800+ standard speed is 2.08Ghz

an xp3200+ standard speed is 2.2Ghz

If you're running at CPU Clock Speed 2245.8 MHz then I cant see what you'd gain in upgrading the cpu.

If you've got an asus motherboard this helps

http://www.asus.com.tw/support/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx

Edited March 21, 2005 by CrowmanUK

[pz3 338]

yep, if your daring enough try over clocking....

buy a new heat sinc + high speed fan

make sure u install it right and if your CPU is good a lot of 2800+ can get upto 2.4ghz or just below

but in all seriousness,

i would buy some PC3200 Ram (DDR400)

2 sticks of 512mb with low latency would be nice

Edited March 21, 2005 by Prozac360

[Specter 0]

Yeah. I'd skip the CPU upgrade. It really isn't worth it right now to do so with what you already have.

I'd get some good PC3200 RAM that you can use even after you upgrade CPU and mobo to 64 bit.

Right now, just go with the RAM. It's a good investment, and will give you noticable bang for the buck where a CPU upgrade will not at this point.

Edited March 22, 2005 by =UE=Phantom

[GreyHaired 0]

I'd keep the money in my pocket too.

You'd need the "De Luxe" version of the mobo that supports faster cpu with FSB of 400.

Be aware that your gfx is a huge power consumer, even at default settings and definitely more when clocked to the ultra settings.

So keep an eye on your psu and the temperature of your system.

Maybe you should consider some extra high quality (but still a cheap investment) case fans and the Zalman cpu heatsinks are worth a thought too.

Lower temp = better performance in itself.