New Cpu/Mobo

[uglymonk]

I’m looking for a little advice on new hardware. I run a small home studio and I’m running out of processing power. When I record, CPU usage is fine but when I mix, it skyrockets. It’s because of all the FX plug-ins. This is what I have now…

KT6 Delta-LSR "http://msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=KT6_Delta-LSR"
XP 2400+
ZALMAN CNPS6000-Cu Pure Copper CPU Cooler
512mb corsair XMS 266 cas2 @ 400 cas2.5
George mx 5200
Antec Sonata with True Power 380Watt PSU

I have only about 220 dollars for an upgrade. Here are a few things I was thinking about.

1. Upgrade cpu and ram

AMD Athlon XP 3200+ "Barton", 400MHz FSB $167.00
AMD Mobile Athlon XP-M 3000+ 2.2GHz, 266MHz FSB (over clock?) $142.00
And then whatever money is left use to get the most ram I could

2. Keep ram and get new motherboard and CPU

AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 754 $151.00
CHAINTECH nForce3 250 for AMD Socket 754 $72.00

I would go 939 bit the cheapest CPU and mobo go to at least 260.00

3. Keep ram and go Intel.

Intel LGA 775 P4 530 3.0 GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB, HT $178.00
ECS "661FX-M7 v1.1" SiS661FX for Intel LGA775 CPU -RETAIL $49.00



From what I can tell I just need more processing power. I have a raptor that is registering less than 5% disk usage with the number of tracks I use. The deal is I can spend on music only what I get making it. That last Intel Price would be pushing it a little. So if you guys have any comments or other suggestions about what to do I’d really appreciate it.

 

[Crashman]

You could get a Mobile XP2500+, which comes unlocked, and overclock the crap out of it.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[uglymonk]

Would a mobile 2500+ overclocked like mad give me as much processing power as a 64 3000+ at stock speeds or an Intel 530?

 

[Crashman]

Yes, at 2.2GHz it will outperform an A64 3000+, and save you money.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[endyen]

Hmmm. I would say an xp @ 2.2 was closer to an A64 2800+.
I went from an xp-m@ 2.4 to a s754 @ 2.4. Benchmarks say close to 20% improvement.

 

[uglymonk]

Is that the 3100 Sempron @1.8GHz you got to 2.4? I cant get my 2400+ to overclock at all. I can drop my 1800+ in the same board and push the fsb to 175 with no problems but with the 2400 in there I can only get it to 143 or so. which is why I'm a little weary about buying a proc assuming it will OC well.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by uglymonk on 11/16/04 11:02 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[endyen]

No, the xp-m was a 2500+ the s754 is an A64 3200+. As far as 175 fsb and 143 fsb it,s the same thing. Your board does not have a pci lock, so it halts at pci speed around 37. Via boards are not great ocers. They do fine at 100, 133, 166, and, in your case 200 fsb. If the xp2400 has an unlocked multiplier, it should be good to about 166 X 13.5, but if it's a newer one (locked multiplier) no joy. The advantage to the xp-m chips, is that the multiplier is unlocked ( and they can be undervolted for cooler running). You should be able to plop one into your board, set the v-core to 1.7 , the multiplier to 11.5, and the fsb to 200. You would be at 2.3.

 

[uglymonk]

the 2400+ is locked. I put a link to my board in my first post. So with that board in mind,(and its limited overclocking) will I get more power buying the xp-m 3000+ and overclock, or the xp-m 2500 and overclock, or look into a new socket A board for better overclocking or move to the 64 3000+ and a cheap board to start?