Computer upgrade advice needed.

Guest · Oct 10, 2001

I'm in search of some advice. I'd like to upgrade...My current configuration consists of:

<A HREF="http://www.plextor.com/english/products/ultraplex.html" target="_new">Plextor CD-ROM PX-32TS</A>
<A HREF="http://www.hpcdwriter.com/products/9300i/specifications.asp" target="_new">HP CD-Writer+ 9300</A>
Creative SB Live! Value
<A HREF="http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/storage/1731c/Specs.htm" target="_new">Seagate ST39102LW (Cheetah)</A>
<A HREF="http://www.diamondmm.com/default.asp?menu=support&submenu=Legacy_Graphics&product=Viper_V550" target="_new">Diamond Viper V550</A>
Sony GDM-200PS (17" Monitor)
<A HREF="http://www.noccc.org/bytes/revuprod/v01/304.html" target="_new">Canopus Pure 3D II</A>
<A HREF="http://www.efficient.com/products/modusb.html" target="_new">Efficient Networks SpeedStream 4060</A>
<A HREF="http://www.asus.com/Products/Motherboard/Pentiumpro/P2b-s/spec.html" target="_new">Asus P2B-S</A>
450 PII
128 mb PC100 SDRAM

I am probably going to ditch my motherboard, processor, memory, video card(s)...and replace them with some sort of Athlon configuration, 512MB of PC2100, and some sort of GeForce2...

So, can any of you recommend some specifics (i.e. motherboard, scsi adapter (note: my hd requires Ultra2, while my CD drive requires Ultra Wide), video card...any other general advice...)

Just need some help for someone who's been out of the loop for a couple of years...

Thanks.

Guest · Oct 10, 2001

*jittery*

help?

Crashman · Oct 11, 2001

It sounds like you already have a well sorted out system. I would simply upgrade the processor and video card. I recommend a PIII 700 overclocked to 933 at 133FSB. At that speed your AGP port will have an 89MHz clock, but newer video cards can accept that, I suggest a GeForce 2 GTS as it's cheap. Total cost for both is around $200.

Back to you Tom...

o1die · Oct 11, 2001

The pentium III may be the best value (for Intel). But several places are closing out socket 423 systems and parts. Fry's electronics has a motherboard combo consisting of the shuttle av40 (ddram) and a pentium 4 1.5 socket 478 for only $229. Add a stick of ddram, and your total upgrade is about $250 or so. Whatever your upgrade choice, you may want to check your power supply rating. I would go with at least a 250 watt ps, and the quality ones are on both intel's and amd's recommended list.

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

I don't think my motherboard will accept anything over a PII...I don't mind upgrading my motherboard, but I need advice as to which mb I should purchase...also, should I go for an Athlon or a Pentium? Seems Athlons are less expensive + there is some issue regarding system memory (?) and PIV's?

Anyway, thanks to both of you for chiming in...Crashman, can you recommend a specific GeForce 2 GTS card?

Also, what's the difference between the GTS, MX200, MX400, Pro, and Ultra? Finally, what do you think of the Kyro
II 4500 Chipset?

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

Thanks, o1die...I have a 300 watt power supply...

FatBurger · Oct 11, 2001

Gainward's Golden Sample line is very good, but other than that, most GeForce 2 GTS cards are about the same.
Unless Crash knows something I don't, which definitely wouldn't be a first.

I post so you don't have to!
9/11 - RIP

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

Thanks FatBurger...can you recommend a motherboard and a SCSI adapter (Ultra2 and Ultra Wide)?

FatBurger · Oct 11, 2001

Motherboard, yes. SCSI adapter, no.
What kind of motherboard did you decide on? Athlon?

BTW, the link to your current motherboard doesn't work right.

I post so you don't have to!
9/11 - RIP

Crashman · Oct 11, 2001

I think your board can support a PIII if you upgrade the BIOS. But anyway, I recommend the ECS K7S5A motherboard and an Athlon "C" 1.4GHz T-Bird. All stadard GTS cards are the same, so shop for price. Or you can get the Gainward GTS/Pro with super fast memory (4ns I think) for around $140.

Back to you Tom...

HonestJhon · Oct 11, 2001

hey, isnt that speed stream 4060 or whatever a usb dsl modem?
i think i had that thing, and it caused me SOOOOOOO many problems.
i had to take it back to the earthlink headquarters to trade it in for a new modom, and i got this net trans thing, and it works great now, and i can use my router hub to split it off to other comps..
the speed stream had problems connecting to the dsl signal because it was usb, and earthlink told me that they shouldnt have sent that modem out because it has so many problems...the guy said that he had like 10 calls that week, and it was only wednesday...
if that is the case, then i would talk to your isp and see what they say..
in my opinion, the ethernet ones work better anyways...more stable in my opinion..
but hey, if it is working, then why mess with it, especially when it comes to modems..
that is my experience with the speed stream...

-DAvid

-Live, Learn, then build your own computer!-

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

Depends on how much you want to spend on the mobo and the features that you want. The VIA KT266a is arguably the fastest AMD-compatible chipset on the market right now. There are currently three mfrs. with boards on the street (that I can find on Pricewatch!) that use this chipset: MSI K7T266 Pro2 (several variants), Epox EP-8KHA+, and Shuttle AK31A. You can hit their sites: http://www.msicomputer.com/ ;
http://www.epox.com/html/english/default.htm ;
http://www.shuttleonline.com/ ;

A less expensive solution (little overclock capability, either) is Elitegroup's model K7S5A with the SiS735 chipset. It's the one of the least expensive boards on the street that supports DDR and is also one of the fastest chipsets. It reportedly has excellent stability and compatibility. ECS's site is http://www.ecsusa.com/
I bought one and ended up returning it because I couldn't get it stable with my GeForce2 MX400.

If you feel like waiting a little bit, go for one of the nVidia nForce chipset boards. It's supposed to be as fast or faster than Via's and have great onboard sound and ethernet. MSI's should be out in November, but I don't know about Asus, Abit or GigiByte. I'm personally debating on whether I'm going to go with Via's KT266a or wait for the nForce boards to hit the street. Right now I think I'm going to wait for the nForce to hit the streets. With the release of the AMD XP processors the Athlon's will go down in price by the time nForce comes out. I'll avoid getting another ethernet card and buying the Creative's Audigy. At least least that's how I'm going to justify getting the more expensive nForce board!

I have no recommendations on the controllers.

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

FatBurger, fixed the link...

Crashman...I'm leaning in your direction (ECS K7S5A w/1.4 266 Athlon)...can you recommend a good scsi controller?

HonestJhon...my modem has caused me little grief (knock on wood)...

wrayburn...thanks for the advice...is there a huge difference between the VIA KT266a chipset and the SiS735 chipset?

Also, anyone have an experience with the Kyro
II 4500 Chipset?

A SCSI controller recommendation would be nice...

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

If your wanting to go for a 1Ghz processor or faster, you'll need at least a 300 watt power supply. Anything under that wont supply enough power for those speeds. For a video card I, like everybody else, suggest the GeForce2 GTS, its a powerful yet affordable card.

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

thanks, metallicafan10...I have a 300 watt power supply...

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

Can someone tell me the difference between the various GeForce2 cards (Ultra, Pro, MX, GTS, etc) (pros and cons)?

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

Difference in GeForce2 cards is speed, number of pipelines (?)

In order of performance, best to worst..

Ultra
Pro
GTS
MX

(I just upgraded to GF3 and have two GeForce2 GTS that I need rid of....)

Creative Annihilator2 $90.00
<A HREF="http://www.3dblaster.com/products/annihilator2/" target="_new">http://www.3dblaster.com/products/annihilator2/</A>

(send me a private message and we can work something out)

Edited by Insidious on 10/11/01 07:40 AM.

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

Take a look at Tom's review of the KT266a chipset at:

www6.tomshardware.com/mainboard/01q3/010902/index.html

The KT266a has a definite performance advantage - most of it coming from the new memory controller. It also has better possibilities for overclocking. There are more mfrs using the KT266a so you'll have more options for purchasing a board with the features you desire. Most of the Athlon/Duron DDR chipsets have comparable features in the chipset, but different mfrs may implement different feature on their board. I don't know what kind of performance difference you would see with KT266a vs. the SiS 735, because I don't know the programs that you'll use predominantly. You can look at the benchmarks and get an idea on which one will work best for you. Like I said before, I had bad experiences with the ECS board and personally wouldn't purchase another one. A lot of people have had great success with it. All else being nearly equal, the SiS735 chipset has a definite price advantage. It's hard to beat a high performance mobo for $62+S/H!

No experience with Kyro II or SCSI.

Yahiko81 · Oct 11, 2001

What are you looking to spend? I'm currently running dual 1.2 Mp's on a TYAN Thunder K7. I have ultra 160 onboard. It's a bit expensive because you have to have reg. ecc memory. I think that board is down to $370 now and the procs. are around $150 a piece. The memory is $40 (for 256mb) from crucial. The mb has two built in 3com nics and a built in 4mb ATI video card which can be used as a dual monitor setup when you put in your new Geforce 2 ($104) on price watch. It's a large board (13" x 12") and requires a 460watt powersupply. It does however have 64bit pci slots instead of 32. I got my tower from http://www.3dcool.com. It was the tornado 3000 series. You can pick up a case like that for around $320. So far this system is going to run you around $1250 with everything shipped. With the MP's you don't have to worry about excessive heat, so no super cooling heatsink is necessary. Tyan boards do not overclock at all. I'm still a little leary about using the XP processors. You might be able to get them to work but no one has tried it yet. I tried reg. tbirds on two thunder boards and it wouldn't work. I had to use MP's. I hope this was a little helpful. And I will trade my Adaptec 2940U2W for your mb, proc, and mem if you want to.

Nice Lizards crunch Trolls cookies.......

Yummy!!

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

Thanks guys...I don't know what the hell I'm going to do now...I think I'm even more confused than before... :frown:

Anyway, I don't want to spend a large sum, so I think a dual processor system is out of the question...

uy...I need to think...

So, I believe I need to purchase:

Motherboard
Memory
Processor
SCSI Controller
Video Card

Someone tell me what to buy...Make my life easier...

Yahiko81 · Oct 11, 2001

MB-ECS K7S5A $58
Proc.- Tbird 1.4 266 fsb w/coolmaster DP5-6I31 fan $135
both from <A HREF="http://www.mpipc.com" target="_new">http://www.mpipc.com</A> - mention pricewatch
Mem- 512 (2-256mb) pc2100 $67<A HREF="http://www.crucial.com" target="_new">http://www.crucial.com</A>
Scsi - I'll trade
Video Card - Geforce 2 Pro $104 <A HREF="http://store.yahoo.com/lib/hoct12/pw.htm" target="_new">http://store.yahoo.com/lib/hoct12/pw.htm</A>

edit : Total with shipping = $400
Nice Lizards crunch Trolls cookies.......

Yummy!!

Edited by yahiko81 on 10/11/01 11:37 AM.

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

Wow...thanks yahiko81...what scsi controller do you have to trade?

Yahiko81 · Oct 11, 2001

I have an Adaptec <A HREF="http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/support/suppdetail.html?prodkey=AHA-2940U2W" target="_new">2940U2W </A>scsi controller that I would trade. It works good. I'm using it right now for my burner because I'm to lazy to get an adapter for it. My motherboard has two ultra 160 channels I just need a 80 to 68 pin adapter.

Nice Lizards crunch Trolls cookies.......

Yummy!!

Guest · Oct 11, 2001

Cool...so...what would u want fer it? :tongue:

Yahiko81 · Oct 11, 2001

mb, proc, and mem? Do you think that is fair?

Nice Lizards crunch Trolls cookies.......

Yummy!!

Computer upgrade advice needed.

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