Which AMD Athlon XP CPU to get?

[Andy in NJ]

I am thinking of upgrading my motherboard to an AMD Athlon XP CPU. I
currently have an AMD Duron 1.2 gig and want to upgrade to something in the
2 gig range. I've seen AMD Athlon XP's 2800, 3200, 1700, etc... what are the
main differences and which one would you recommend?

My motherboard is an M7VIG Pro motherboard, 100/133 mhz bus speed. Upgrading
the motherboard isn't an option right now. The manual doesn't actually state
the fastest CPU it can accept, but does say it can take an AMD Athlon XP
CPU.

 

[Chris Stolworthy]

I am thinking of upgrading my motherboard to an AMD Athlon XP CPU. I
currently have an AMD Duron 1.2 gig and want to upgrade to something in the
2 gig range. I've seen AMD Athlon XP's 2800, 3200, 1700, etc... what are the
main differences and which one would you recommend?

My motherboard is an M7VIG Pro motherboard, 100/133 mhz bus speed. Upgrading
the motherboard isn't an option right now. The manual doesn't actually state
the fastest CPU it can accept, but does say it can take an AMD Athlon XP
CPU.

According to the mobos specs you can accept upto a 2600+ cpu. I would
recommend a AMD 2600+ (Barton core) processor. The operating frequency is
1.9Ghz.

 

[JK]

This says that it supports up to XP2600+ 266fsb.

http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdetails.asp?model=m7vig+pro

Why not get one of those? It looks like around $70 plus the cost
of a heatsink(unless your current one would work?)

 

[Andy in NJ]

This says that it supports up to XP2600+ 266fsb.

http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdetails.asp?model=m7vig+pro

Why not get one of those? It looks like around $70 plus the cost
of a heatsink(unless your current one would work?)

I was looking on Ebay and it seems the XP2600 is most commonly 333fsb. Is
this downward compatable? Where else would you suggest I buy the CPU from?

 

[Cuzman]

" This says that it supports up to XP2600+ 266fsb... ...Why not get one of
those? It looks like around $70 plus the cost of a heatsink(unless your
current one would work?) "


The Duron 1.2Ghz runs at 100FSB, which may mean it is coupled with PC100
SDRAM or PC1600 DDR-RAM (100Mhz DDR200). However, many retailers of that
era used PC133 SDRAM or PC2100 DDR-RAM (133Mhz DDR266) with 100FSB Durons.
The M7VIG Pro supports both memory types, and to run a 266FSB Athlon you
should at least be running PC133 SDRAM or PC2100 DDR-RAM.

It might be wise for the original poster to state the rest of the current
system, and advise what they use their PC for. It may then be possible to
auction some things on eBay (CPU, RAM? graphics card?), and for an extra
$100 or so they could stretch towards the motherboards potential with a
266FSB Athlon XP 2600+ (or 2400+), 512MB DDR and a better graphics card.

 

[Cuzman]

"Andy in NJ" <SHORECOGS at COMCAST DOT NET> wrote in message

" I was looking on Ebay and it seems the XP2600 is most commonly 333fsb. Is
this downward compatable? Where else would you suggest I buy the CPU from?
"


Processor clock speed is calculated as 'multiplier x FSB'. The two versions
of the 333FSB 2600+ have a lower multiplier than the 266FSB 2600+ (see
http://snipurl.com/8f1x ). If you were to use a 333FSB version, you would
only be able to run it at 11.5x/12.5x 133, which would run it as an XP 1800+
or 2000+.

The 266FSB 2600+ is in demand, and AMD stopped production of them a long
time ago when the 333FSB Athlons superceded them. In comparison, the 266FSB
2400+ is much more widely available, still in production, and usually much
cheaper to boot. However, Pricewatch seem to have a lot of retailers listed
with the 266FSB 2600+ at competitive prices:
http://www.pricewatch.com/h/prc.aspx?i=3&a=4961&f=1

 

[Cuzman]

" I would recommend a AMD 2600+ (Barton core) processor. "


....which would only be able to run at 11.5 x 133 on a 266FSB motherboard,
giving XP 1800+ performance.

 

[Andy in NJ]

The Duron 1.2Ghz runs at 100FSB, which may mean it is coupled with
PC100 SDRAM or PC1600 DDR-RAM (100Mhz DDR200). However, many
retailers of that era used PC133 SDRAM or PC2100 DDR-RAM (133Mhz
DDR266) with 100FSB Durons. The M7VIG Pro supports both memory types,
and to run a 266FSB Athlon you should at least be running PC133 SDRAM
or PC2100 DDR-RAM.

It might be wise for the original poster to state the rest of the
current system, and advise what they use their PC for. It may then
be possible to auction some things on eBay (CPU, RAM? graphics
card?), and for an extra $100 or so they could stretch towards the
motherboards potential with a 266FSB Athlon XP 2600+ (or 2400+),
512MB DDR and a better graphics card.

The RAM I am currently using is PC133, two 512meg SDRAM. After reading the
replies, it looks like a new motherboard is more advisable. I use my
computer mainly for computer gaming, which is very graphic intensive. I
recently bought an ATI Radeon 9600 Pro video card/256 megs. I am considering
buying a second box with just the MB, as I have numberous components lying
around to put together another computer. Perhaps I'll buy the box with a
266FSB Athrlon XP 2600+, move everything over from the old box to the new
one and use the old one for my second computer (which will be used mainly
for internet browsing/web design. I do have (2) 1 gig DDR ram sitting here,
which I could use in the new box.

What should I expect to pay for a box with the MB/CPU you mentioned?

 

[Cuzman]

"Andy in NJ" <SHORECOGS at COMCAST DOT NET> wrote in message

" What should I expect to pay for a box with the MB/CPU you mentioned? "


You stated in your first post that you have an M7VIG Pro, and, as it takes
both memory types, you can swap your SDRAM for your DDR. If the DDR is
PC2100 or higher, then it will go fine with a 266FSB Athlon. As things
stand, your 9600 Pro is being severely held back by your Duron 1.2Ghz, so
upgrading to that 266FSB 2600+ would be a massive jump, and would make for a
reasonable gaming system. I would expect that the heatsink/fan from your
Duron wouldn't be up to the colling standards needed for that Athlon, so
you'd need to get one of those too.

You also say that you have numerous components laying around to help build a
second system. What exactly are they? If you were to list them all in
detail, then you may find that you have the basis for a much better gaming
system.

 

[Andy in NJ]

You stated in your first post that you have an M7VIG Pro, and, as it
takes both memory types, you can swap your SDRAM for your DDR. If
the DDR is PC2100 or higher, then it will go fine with a 266FSB
Athlon. As things stand, your 9600 Pro is being severely held back
by your Duron 1.2Ghz, so upgrading to that 266FSB 2600+ would be a
massive jump, and would make for a reasonable gaming system. I would
expect that the heatsink/fan from your Duron wouldn't be up to the
colling standards needed for that Athlon, so you'd need to get one of
those too.

You also say that you have numerous components laying around to help
build a second system. What exactly are they? If you were to list
them all in detail, then you may find that you have the basis for a
much better gaming system.

Besides an extra monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers, I have a GeForce
5400 graphics card and 2 one gig DDR modules (PC2100 266Mhz). I plan on
moving the hard drive from the old computer to the new one, as well as the
video card and my turtle beach santa cruz sound card. The DDR modules will
go in the new computer, for 2GB of RAM. The old computer will keep the 1 gig
of SDRAM that is currently installed and I will put the GeForce card will go
in the old computer.

I've gone to Tiger Direct and found some boxes that they sell. Most support
DDR up to PC3200/DDR 400 modules and Athlon XP 3200+. A couple of them have
the M7NCD or M7NCD Ultra. One I am considering, for it's price of $40, is
one that has a Soyo Dragon Ultra KT400 Motherboard.
(http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=
623836&CatId=1218). All of their boxes can been seen at
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=1218. Do you have any opinions on these?

 

[John]

I've gone to Tiger Direct and found some boxes that they sell. Most support
DDR up to PC3200/DDR 400 modules and Athlon XP 3200+. A couple of them have
the M7NCD or M7NCD Ultra. One I am considering, for it's price of $40, is
one that has a Soyo Dragon Ultra KT400 Motherboard.
(http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=
623836&CatId=1218). All of their boxes can been seen at
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=1218. Do you have any opinions on these?

Try to go to newegg.com and find a good nforce2 refurb board for cheap
and look for a sale on memory. I bought some at Compusa a week ago for
19 bucks after rebate 256 333.

I think at outpost.com (FRYs) they are selling a 512 333 stick or
maybe it was 400 for 56 bucks or so after rebate.

 

[Matt]

I've gone to Tiger Direct and found some boxes that they sell.

Good choice not to cannibalize your current system.

About any nforce2 board will be good. Compare features such as SATA and
RAID. Either of those Biostar systems should be good if the cases and
PSUs are good. Antec case/PSU combos are good, but will cost you more
than those barebones. Google for compatibility with your mobo and your
brand of RAM. See product reviews at newegg and forums at
nforcershq.com and elsewhere. Get the retail boxed CPU, because it
includes a heatsink and fan.

 

[Andy in NJ]

Try to go to newegg.com and find a good nforce2 refurb board for cheap
and look for a sale on memory. I bought some at Compusa a week ago for
19 bucks after rebate 256 333.

I think at outpost.com (FRYs) they are selling a 512 333 stick or
maybe it was 400 for 56 bucks or so after rebate.

I have memory.. I've got 2 one GB modules (PC2100) that I will be using in
the new board. I'll check out newegg.com.

 

[~misfit~]

Besides an extra monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers, I have a
GeForce 5400 graphics card and 2 one gig DDR modules (PC2100 266Mhz).
I plan on
moving the hard drive from the old computer to the new one, as well
as the
video card and my turtle beach santa cruz sound card. The DDR modules
will
go in the new computer, for 2GB of RAM. The old computer will keep
the 1 gig
of SDRAM that is currently installed and I will put the GeForce card
will go
in the old computer.

A Duron 1800 would be a good choice for the 'old' computer. They're fast and
cheap.

I've gone to Tiger Direct and found some boxes that they sell. Most
support
DDR up to PC3200/DDR 400 modules and Athlon XP 3200+. A couple of
them have
the M7NCD or M7NCD Ultra. One I am considering, for it's price of
$40, is
one that has a Soyo Dragon Ultra KT400 Motherboard.
(http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=
623836&CatId=1218). All of their boxes can been seen at
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=1218
..
Do you have any opinions on these?

Whatever you do make sure you buy an nForce 2 Ultra 400 board. Simply rule
out anything else. If you don't need bells and whistles (SATA, gigabit LAN
etc) then a Soltek SL-75FRN2-L is a damn fine board for the price. I have
two of them, both going really well, one of them running an XP2500+ OCed to
XP3200+ speed (I've built three of them like that for friends) and one
running an XP1800+ at 2.1Ghz on a 200Mhz FSB (that one rocks too, it kicks
the arse of an XP2800 Barton). Dual-channel memory, which you can do with
your existing modules.

Just buy a case to suit. A word to the wise, don't skimp on the power
supply. It's tempting to do so as they aren't very glamorous and tend to be
taken for granted. A good power supply can make all the difference between a
stable system and a blue-screen box.

 

[John]

I have memory.. I've got 2 one GB modules (PC2100) that I will be using in
the new board. I'll check out newegg.com.

You see the problem with that is , its 2100 . If you want to get a
processor thats 333 or 400 FSB and a board too and actually run it at
those speeds you need memory that can run at 333 or 400 too since you
mentioned I think that you are now thinking about getting a new board
that has a higher max FSB.

You can probably sell your mem on ebay etc and then buy 333 or 400
DDR. In fact your best bet is to get what I have - a Barton 2500
retail at Newegg for I think its $80 now maybe even lower. It comes
with fan etc. And get 400 ddr - my board runs fine with cheap 400 DDR
- Kbyte and Kingston Value 2x512. You can overclock the processor
super easy. Its rare that one of the 2500 bartons doesnt reach 3200
just by setting the FSB to 400 , but you obviously need a board that
can reach 400 - the nforce2 boards can , and memory that can run at
400 obviously. Thats close fairly close to the top perfomance youll
get from the XP era . The next step of course is to get a AMD 64.

If you sell your mem - buy cheaper DDR 400 for 58 bucks or so 512
stick , board for $35-40 and a processor for 80 bucks your net cost
shouldnt be that high at all.