[PC geeks] I need more power

[karohemd]

After discovering that I only had 1.5 instead of 2GB of RAM I ordered an upgrade which should help things along a bit.

However, I'm also looking into improving the processing power. I currently have a Duron processor and according to the motherboard manual, I can install anything up to an "Athlon XP 3200+". I looked around various online retailers (ebuyer etc.) but none seem to do Athlon XP CPUs anymore but there are quite a few on ebay, one of them as high as 100 quid "buy now" but around 40-50 seems to be the average.
How much should a CPU of that type cost?

Any tips gratefully received.

I currently don't want to upgrade my motherboard as it would mean I'd need all kinds of new things (hard drives, probably RAM etc.), too. If 50 quid or so would give me enough oomph to last another year or so, I'd be happy. The current motherboard only has a Socket A.

Comments

[hardwired.livejournal.com]

If your ram is DDR then you can keep everything and get a good Motherboard + CPU for real cheap and it will rock in terms of raw power.

You can reuse your hard disks, graphics card etc.

But the Socket A line is at the very end of its life cycle.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Yep, it's DDR.

I have EIDE HDs and an AGP graphics card but from what I've seen, new mobos seem to be SATA and PCI-E respectively. Will those still work?
If that's the case, I'm all for upgrading the motherboard.

[razornet.livejournal.com]

the gfx cardwon't transfer but the drives will. Sata is generally additional to ide not a replacement. You can get boardbundles still using AGP.

[razornet.livejournal.com]

the gfx cardwon't transfer but the drives will. Sata is generally additional to ide not a replacement. You can get boardbundles still using AGP.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Hmm, fancy a project after Easter? ;o)

[razornet.livejournal.com]

sure!

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Cool, shall we chat on the 7th (provided you can make the party)?
Thanks!

[razornet.livejournal.com]

ok then!

[deathboy.livejournal.com]

what he said, a new mobo will do IDE *and* sata, though possibly not the graphics, though if you don't game, fuckit, get one with onboard nvidia display, you'll be fine.

if you're determined to stick with the mobo, ebay for an old chip, it's the only way.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Yeah, all I really need is graphics that can handle 1600x1200 with DVI output for my shiny display. Cheers.

[deathboy.livejournal.com]

Happy birthdee! :)

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

You're 24 hours too early. ;o)

[hardwired.livejournal.com]

You can do :
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=100512&_LOC=UK

Which is a new Mobo that does Athlon64's and AGP graphics.

Then just add a new CPU and you are set.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=164955&source=froogle

Thats 50/60 quid for a quick upgrade that will be good and you will see decent performance increase.