I run the following system:

AMD K6-2 500Mhz
Soyo SY-5EMA+ 1.0 mobo
128 MB PC100 SDRAM (64MB x 2)
Windows 98se
Not sure about PSU
13.6 GB HDD
GF2 MX400 64MB
TDK 16/8/40 [I think] CD-RW
Pioneer DVD-ROM
SMC EtherEZ Network Adapter Card


I want to upgrade the mobo and processor, and get some more cheap RAM. Could I manage that? The mobo I have is ATX form factor. I was thinking of getting a socket A mobo w/SDRAM support, along with perhaps a Thunderbird 1.4 Ghz. If this is possible, any suggestions on the exact components to get? I still have to check on my PSU wattage...I can't see any indication of the watts on the visible sides. How much more power hungry are the Thunderbirds?

Thanks.

Of course you can do this...here is what I suggest:

1) amd athlon xp2000 ( this cpu is actually cheaper than the 1.4ghz tbird go figure $73.00 on pricewatch.com)
2) do not get sdram it sucks compared to ddr and the price difference is not enough to convince anyone to go with sdram. I suggest 256mb pc2100 ddr ($46.00 on pricewatch)
3)ECS K7S5A motherboard which supports both ddr and sdram and has built in lan, sound... ($56.00 from newegg.com)

Thats a total of $175.00 for a much much better system than you are running now....if you want to really see a performance gain scrap your geforce 2mx and get a ati radeon 8500le for only $66 bucks on pricewatch..
and you are still way under the 300.00 price tag for a mobo,processor,memory and a much much better video card

good luck

Okay, first you reccomend against Sdram, then you reccomend an Sdr board??? (I know the K7S5A is DDR). It's a terrible board though, there's been too many defects with it to consider it a viable option. If he really was trying to save money, he might as well get a cheaper CPU, like a 1700+ Tbred A. Retail, those go for $65 on Newegg.com. A decent DDR board and some Pc-2100 or Pc-2700 Ddr is going to blow up the price though. It's not really going to be worth saving the Sdram.

Instead of Rdram, why not just merge 4 Sdram channels...

You might want to consider one of the Nforce 2 boards with the onboard Mx440 graphics, it's no Geforce4 ti, although it beats the heck out of an mx400. A reasonable upgrade here for not too much money is an Epox 8rga+, I remember offhand it has the Nforce2, and the integrated graphics port. Throw in 2 sticks of Pc-2100 or Pc-2700 Ddr of 128mb at your almost set to go.

Instead of Rdram, why not just merge 4 Sdram channels...

Thanks for the help so far.

I've never done anything like this before, so I was wanting to stay on the cheaper side just in case I damage any components during installation.

I'd want the price to _hopefully_ be under $150 for the mobo + cpu. I noticed some good "Motherboard combo" prices on <A HREF="http://www.pricewatch.com" target="_new">PriceWatch</A> but am skeptical of the quality of components.

Hmm...if you're trying to save money, an Nforce2 board with the graphics would be a good option. Your other choice could be a value board, like the older (and abundant) kt333 boards, the Sis 745, or even the original Nforce.

Instead of Rdram, why not just merge 4 Sdram channels...

I saw these on NewEgg...

<font color=blue>"AMD Athlon XP 1700+ Thoroughbred /266 FSB Processor CPU 1700+/ 1.47GHz -OEM with heatsink and fan"</font color=blue>

$65 new

<font color=blue>"Abit VIA KT266A Chipset Motherboard Model KR7A Retail" </font color=blue>

$72


= $137 before adding RAM cost

I've not ordered this or anything, this is just what I've thought might work. The mobo must be standard ATX.

Best deal on a mobo is the MSI 745 Ultra, check Pricewatch, it's selling for around $70 INCLUDING SHIPPING. Newegg carries an Aopen board with the 745 for about the same price.

<font color=blue>You're posting in a forum with class. It may be third class, but it's still class!</font color=blue>

Following your MSI recommendation I decided to look around at different MSI boards as well....

From <A HREF="http://www.augustustech.com" target="_new">Augustus Tech</A>:

<font color=blue>256MB 2100ddr RAM $55
MSI KT3 Ultra-2 Mobo $80
AMD 1700+ CPU $57.50 (not sure if heatsink/fan included)

Total: ~$200
</font color=blue>

This way saves having to order from multiple sites.

I have a question about the motherboard size though. The KT3 is ATX form w/dimensions 30.5 cm(L) x 21 cm(W).

My old mobo from Soyo is ATX too, but 30.5 cm(L) x 19 cm(W). Should the new wider mobo fit in my computer chassis?

I hate to keep bugging you with these questions but I am lost on this topic. Thanks in advance.

Wider board should fit fine, there's always addtitional space in front of the board inside the case. I just don't care for VIA chipset boards.

<font color=blue>You're posting in a forum with class. It may be third class, but it's still class!</font color=blue>

well i recommended the guy get ddr but in his thread he did want a board that supported sdram so I gave him that option just in case money was an issue and besides the ecs board isnt as bad as people crack it up to be...I have personally built three systems with this board and they all have been up for around a year and are rock stable....just go to newegg and check out the user reviews...out of 750 voters it gets a 4 star rating...you just see complaints in these forums because this is where people come to figure out problems and bash a product, not to brag on a product...I do have to say though the earlier revisions to this board are problem plagued but the latest seem to be quite stable....but anyways enough with that, the nforce board yes is very nice....i didnt know how much he wanted to spend.....and of course crashman always has good input =]...just listen to these guys they are heading you in the right direction<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by civilized on 12/10/02 08:57 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

Yeah I appreciate all the help. I'm still not quite set on anything yet, but it seems I should be able to do well with any of the boards suggested. I'll be able to figure this out over christmas break.

Yea, then enough is coming out in Q1 that you'll end up rethinking it again. I know, It's happened to me several times!!!

Signature, I'm still learning & having fun doing it!!!!!!

exactly...there will be better things released in the near future especially better chipsets with dual ddr support....etc etc...so dont rush into do your research it will pay off

I looked around PriceWatch a bit more using all the recommendations for upgrading my system:
<font color=blue>
1700+ XP w/heatsink and fan
(NewEgg.Com) <b>$65</b>
MSI 6561 SIS 745ultra
(cnetpc.com) <b>$64.50</b>
256MB PC2100 32MX64 DDR DIMM 32x4 OEM
(AugustusTech.Com) <b>$50</b>
Foxconn Allied ATX350P4 PSU
(NewEgg.Com) <b>$28</b>
Anti-static wrist strap
(NewEgg.Com) <b>$5</b>

<b>Total: $212.50</b> (US)
</font color=blue>

My PSU was only 250W after all so I guess I need a better one. I plan on later upgrading what I can in piecemeal fashion, like the video card, HDD, and extra RAM.

I'm not exactly sure how the CPU heatsink is set up.....do you have any recommended guides to look at for that kind of work?

Make sure you get a better PSU, if you're looking for reliaility, the lowest i'd recomend getting is an Antec or Enermax, 300 watts. Those are reiable companies, and while they're more expensive, they won't crap out on you. About $50-60, you can get an Antec truepower 330watt, which cuts good performance for a reasonable price. The heatsink is pretty easy to install, but you have to be careful, you need to apply pressure to the clip using a flathead screwdriver. There's instructions in the box that comes with your Athlon, although it's pretty easy to figure out yourself

Instead of Rdram, why not just merge 4 Sdram channels...