Is this worth it?

[bjpatrick]

I'm still running a socket A XP 2000+. It's time for an upgrade but I'm not ready to really jump to the 64 bit platform just yet. I'm a broke graduate student. I'm thinking of selling my X-Box and getting this.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-482&depa=1

or

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-436&depa=1

Current setup:

AMD XP 2000+
MSI non-Nforce 2 mother board (Can't remember name)
512 Kingston 2700 RAM (333)
64 bit Video Card (I know it sucks!)

 

[pat]

I wouldnt do that. Mobile CPU are not meant to be use on desktop computer. While many had succes with them with nforce2 chipset, like me, older chipset ou board might not recognize them and refuse to boot. They might not have a BIOS update to make them compatible and, if you cant even remember your board's model, I would not attempt a BIOS flash.

A good a64 3000+ socket 754 will cost about the same as the mobile 3000+ plus the HSF you plan to buy and a good socket 754 board can be found at around 80-90$

Keep you memory, sell your old board+cpu to get money to cover the cost of the board and get the a64 CPU you can afford. That would be a more worthty upgrade...

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!

 

[pat]

Oh..and by the way, A64 are not 64 bits CPU!!!! they are efficient 32 bits CPU with 64 bits capability

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!

 

[Vapor]

I say it's not worth an XBox. Try overclocking your 2000+ and see where that gets you.

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.

 

[Coyote]

Linked:

<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-482&depa=1
" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-482&depa=1
</A>

<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-436&depa=1
" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-436&depa=1
</A>

Did this so I can see what you're talking about

Mobile XP 2600+ (11X215)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win2K sp4

 

[Coyote]

First, I haven't seen anybody get better OC out of a mobile 3000+ than the 2600+. And the latter is cheaper. I.e., I think that the 2600+ is a better choice.

Before you buy you'd better figure out what mobo you got. The mobile, is by definition, intended for laptops so there's about 100% chance your older MSI mobo won't recognize it (which by itself is no prob, my NF7-S doesn't recognize it either). But it does mean that the mobo will usually use default values of 100mhz for the FSB and a default multi of 6. I.e., when you boot up you got a 600mhz cpu. Therefore you must ensure that your mobo allows you to adjust the FSB and multi so you can set them manually.

Find your mobo manual and have a look at the adjustments in available in the BIOS. Or go into your BIOS and have a look. My MSI has a section in BIOS called "Frequency/Voltage Control" . If yours allows FSB and multi and voltage adjustments. You should be OK with a mobile and can proly get to 3200+ speeds and faster w/o a problem. With a FSB of 166 (might be able to OC the mobo to something higher) and multiplier of 13 or 14 you'd be at 3200+ speeds. But YYMV.

Coyote

Mobile XP 2600+ (11X215)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win2K sp4