Decided On Amd

[Sasage]

Hey Guys,

I have decided to go with AMD after doing some research. Except I need some help narrowing it down from some of the the CPUs I have found. Please give me any info or other suggestions if you have any. Thanks. This computer would most likely be used for gaming, downloading .mp3s, burning cds, surfin the web.

AMD Athlon XP 3200+ "Barton", 400MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail
$187.00
Model# AXDA3200BOX
Item # N82E16819103390
Specifications:
Model: AMD Athlon XP 3200+
Core: Barton
Operating Frequency: 2.2GHz
FSB: 400MHz
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/512K
Voltage: 1.65V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket A
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: Retail Box (Heatsink and Fan included)

AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail
$80.00
Model# AXDA2500BOX
Item # N82E16819103379
Specifications:
Model: AMD Athlon XP 2500+
Core: Barton
Operating Frequency: 1.83GHz
FSB: 333MHz
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/512K
Voltage: 1.65V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket A
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: Retail Box (Heatsink and Fan included)

[bigdawgfoxx]

Make sure you get the Barton...3200XP if you dont want to overclock it. If you just want to stick in a CPU and it be awesome, and have enought money, get the 3200XP.

You can buy a 2500XP, and overclock it to a 3200XP, which takes more effort, but really isnt too hard.

[tesco]

Definately go for one of the two barton processors.

The 2500+ will provide enough power for anything you want to do today, the 3200+ being just a little better...not much. The 2500+, when you feel ready (if ever), can be OCed to atleast the speed of the 3200+...very easily. Just set the FSB from its normal 333mhz to 400mhz and your set. Vcore might need a bit of increase but not very likely.

With either processor, i recomend you get pc3200 ram, or higher.

[clocker]

I agree with Ross and Dawg.
Get a Barton core.

The 3200 would be the ideal choice if money is not tight.

What motherboard are you thinking of pluging it into?

[Cheese]

I have the Barton 2500+ and just 2 sticks of 512 2700 Ram.

If I use the default settings of my mobo's BIOS to OC it to 2.2 my system is unstable. At the moment I have manually set it to 2.09 and everything is seeming fine, and temps are at 40C.

I just wandered if I am putting any undue pressure on my ram...? :unsure:

[Sasage]

I haven't looked at too many motherboards yet but Asus seems to be popular around here.

[clocker]

Originally posted by Withcheese@6 July 2004 - 05:47
I have the Barton 2500+ and just 2 sticks of 512 2700 Ram.

If I use the default settings of my mobo's BIOS to OC it to 2.2 my system is unstable. At the moment I have manually set it to 2.09 and everything is seeming fine, and temps are at 40C.

I just wandered if I am putting any undue pressure on my ram...? :unsure:
Depends on the RAM, I should think.
Some brands have the headroom for quite high OCs and others don't.

When you tried 2.2 GHz did you just up the FSB and stop?
You may have to change your vCore and vDIMM settings also.
Your RAM timings are also an area of tweaking to explore.

Lots of variables to play around with to achieve stability.

@Sasage,
Asus IS very popular, as is ABIT.
Personally, I favor the ABIT NF7-S over the Asus A7N8X-deluxe, but either makes a good backbone for a system.

[Super Dude]

If you have overclocking in mind, you might want to get the 2500+ Mobile (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-401&depa=0) or the 2600+ Mobile (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-436&depa=0).

If overclocking is a no, and you're thinking of getting a Barton 3200+ - I'd recommend that you do not do so, and instead get an Amd Mobile Athlon 64 2800+ Clawhammer (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-447&depa=0) - why? Because it costs the same - $187.And for $187, you get a 64-bit CPU, with 1mb cache, and a CPU with excellent overclocking potentials.It can easily be overclocked to 3700+ speeds and will easily shatter the barton 3200+ into bits of pieces.

For the motherboard, go for the Abit NF7-S if you're getting the Barton Mobile, it's cheaper than the Asus, and is one of the best motherboards available.If you're going for the Mobile 64 2800+ Clawhammer, go with the Gigabyte GA-K8NPro.

[clocker]

What is the attraction of "mobile" chips?
Is it just that the multipiers are still unlocked or are there other advantages also?

[kaiweiler]

Originally posted by clocker@6 July 2004 - 10:38
What is the attraction of "mobile" chips?
Is it just that the multipiers are still unlocked or are there other advantages also?
They run at lower voltages, but that is no benefit because to get the OC out of them that you want you have to put them up to regular voltages anyway.
I'm assuming it's just that all the multiplyers are unlocked.

[Super Dude]

Originally posted by clocker@6 July 2004 - 14:38
What is the attraction of "mobile" chips?
Is it just that the multipiers are still unlocked or are there other advantages also?
The Mobile CPU Mini-FAQs (http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=88575)

An interesting review by AnandTech (http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.html?i=1992&p=2)

[Sasage]

So what does OC the Barton 2500 entail exactly?

[tesco]

Originally posted by Sasage@6 July 2004 - 12:24
So what does OC the Barton 2500 entail exactly?
Makes it faster. ;) Higher speeds, better benchmarks, bragging right...although you will see little real-world improvement. :lol:

[Sasage]

Sorry...I should have re-read what I typed. Is there any sodering or anything like that involved?

[tesco]

Originally posted by Sasage@6 July 2004 - 13:22
Sorry...I should have re-read what I typed. Is there any sodering or anything like that involved?
In OCing? hell no.

Just go into your bios (press del or something liek that at sartrup) and you change the speeds. Takes a little tinkering to get it stable at higher speeds that 3200+, but should still be pretty easy.

[Snee]

I've been looking into getting a mobile too, like it says they run colder and so forth.


There a tiny lil problem with a lot of mobos apparently tho', in that the mobiles aren't properly identified on the mobo, on certain chipsets the pinmod seems pretty much mandatory to get them to run.


If I was getting a new mobo, I'd prolly go with one of the 64 bit amd's, as the 3200xp+ appears to be the last xp processor, leaving less room to upgrade later.

[Sasage]

I guess I will stick with the AMD Athlon XP 2500+ so I choose to upgrade or OC down the road I will be able to do so. Now I just have find a mobo to go with it.

[tesco]

Originally posted by Sasage@6 July 2004 - 16:34
I guess I will stick with the AMD Athlon XP 2500+ so I choose to upgrade or OC down the road I will be able to do so. Now I just have find a mobo to go with it.
The best motherboard foir athlon xp prcoessors are:

ABIT NF7 series
ASUS A7N8X Series
and Gigabyte 7N400L series of boards.

make sure, when u choose a board (if it isn't one of the ones i listed) then it has the nforce 2 chipset.

[kaiweiler]

Originally posted by Sasage@6 July 2004 - 17:34
I guess I will stick with the AMD Athlon XP 2500+ so I choose to upgrade or OC down the road I will be able to do so. Now I just have find a mobo to go with it.
Since you say your overclocking, I recommend the Abit NF7-S, it is the overclockers dream B)

[Sasage]

ABIT "NF7-S" nForce2 Chipset Motherboard and ASUS "A7N8X" nForce2 Ultra 400 have gotten good reviews from what I can see.

[tesco]

Originally posted by Sasage@6 July 2004 - 17:14
ABIT "NF7-S" nForce2 Chipset Motherboard and ASUS "A7N8X" nForce2 Ultra 400 have gotten good reviews from what I can see.
Yes, that's right.

The abit has more options than the asus board, such has extra OCing options, onboard 6 channel sound (actually both have that, but the asus requires an additional bracket be boguht to use the 6channel sound [otherwise it comes out through the microphone and line-in jack] but the abit has built in jacks), comes with an ide-to-sata adaptor, and more.

I would go for the abit. ;)

[XxKrNxStyLeZxX]

Originally posted by ROSSCO_2004+6 July 2004 - 22:20--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (ROSSCO_2004 @ 6 July 2004 - 22:20)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Sasage@6 July 2004 - 17:14
ABIT "NF7-S" nForce2 Chipset Motherboard and&nbsp; ASUS "A7N8X" nForce2 Ultra 400&nbsp; have gotten good reviews from what I can see.
Yes, that&#39;s right.

The abit has more options than the asus board, such has extra OCing options, onboard 6 channel sound (actually both have that, but the asus requires an additional bracket be boguht to use the 6channel sound [otherwise it comes out through the microphone and line-in jack] but the abit has built in jacks), comes with an ide-to-sata adaptor, and more.

I would go for the abit. ;) [/b][/quote]
i went for the abit :D should be here in 2-3 days

[kaiweiler]

Originally posted by XxKrNxStyLeZxX+6 July 2004 - 18:25--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (XxKrNxStyLeZxX @ 6 July 2004 - 18:25)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by ROSSCO_2004@6 July 2004 - 22:20
<!--QuoteBegin-Sasage@6 July 2004 - 17:14
ABIT "NF7-S" nForce2 Chipset Motherboard and&nbsp; ASUS "A7N8X" nForce2 Ultra 400&nbsp; have gotten good reviews from what I can see.
Yes, that&#39;s right.

The abit has more options than the asus board, such has extra OCing options, onboard 6 channel sound (actually both have that, but the asus requires an additional bracket be boguht to use the 6channel sound [otherwise it comes out through the microphone and line-in jack] but the abit has built in jacks), comes with an ide-to-sata adaptor, and more.

I would go for the abit. ;)
i went for the abit :D should be here in 2-3 days [/b][/quote]
Good choice, i have one myself, and love it

[tesco]

Originally posted by XxKrNxStyLeZxX+6 July 2004 - 17:25--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (XxKrNxStyLeZxX @ 6 July 2004 - 17:25)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>
Originally posted by ROSSCO_2004@6 July 2004 - 22:20
<!--QuoteBegin-Sasage@6 July 2004 - 17:14
ABIT "NF7-S" nForce2 Chipset Motherboard and&nbsp; ASUS "A7N8X" nForce2 Ultra 400&nbsp; have gotten good reviews from what I can see.
Yes, that&#39;s right.

The abit has more options than the asus board, such has extra OCing options, onboard 6 channel sound (actually both have that, but the asus requires an additional bracket be boguht to use the 6channel sound [otherwise it comes out through the microphone and line-in jack] but the abit has built in jacks), comes with an ide-to-sata adaptor, and more.

I would go for the abit. ;)
i went for the abit :D should be here in 2-3 days [/b][/quote]
Lucky.

Wanna buy me one too? :)

:P

[Sasage]

OK...I scratched a few more items off my list. I choose the Creative Labs Audigy2 ZS PCI Sound Card but have been having a hard time sifting my way through the video card dilenma. I want somethin mid range that can run stuff like Joint Ops and BattleField and whatnot. Any suggestions or comments on the VC?

Edit: Maybe the Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 PCI Sound Card instead if I don&#39;t need all of that other stuff.

[kaiweiler]

The NF7-S mobo actually has very good onboard sound, but if you&#39;ve got the money to spend get the Audigy II
As for vid card, anything from ATI 9600 series and up would be fine, and from nVidia probably a 5600 series and up.
If your going for AIT&#39;s cards avoid anything with the letters "SE" in the description as they are dumbed down versions of the actual card.
The same goes for nVidia with the letters "XT"
(XT is good for ATI, bad for nVidia)
the 9600XT would be agood choice, or if you&#39;ve got a bit more money get a nice 9800pro
also you may wanna check out bigdawg&#39;s graphics card guide, it&#39;s pinned at the top of Hardwareworld :)

[tesco]

Originally posted by kaiweiler@6 July 2004 - 21:33
The NF7-S mobo actually has very good onboard sound, but if you&#39;ve got the money to spend get the Audigy II
As for vid card, anything from ATI 9600 series and up would be fine, and from nVidia probably a 5600 series and up.
If your going for AIT&#39;s cards avoid anything with the letters "SE" in the description as they are dumbed down versions of the actual card.
The same goes for nVidia with the letters "XT"
(XT is good for ATI, bad for nVidia)
the 9600XT would be agood choice, or if you&#39;ve got a bit more money get a nice 9800pro
also you may wanna check out bigdawg&#39;s graphics card guide, it&#39;s pinned at the top of Hardwareworld :)
Agree with Kai. The abit board has very very good sound, 6channel output as well. Same (i think) as the audigey II...

the money u save from that can be put towards a better video card, probably a 9800pro. :)

[Sasage]

So we&#39;re talking better quality than my Creative SBLive&#33; Value eh? :D

[tesco]

Originally posted by Sasage@6 July 2004 - 21:39
So we&#39;re talking better quality than my Creative SBLive&#33; Value eh? :D
hell ya.

[Sasage]

If I choose to OC the CPU down the road, would I need a new cooling fan to replace the stock one?

[tesco]

Originally posted by Sasage@6 July 2004 - 21:56
If I choose to OC the CPU down the road, would I need a new cooling fan to replace the stock one?
Stock fan works greate for most people. :)

[kaiweiler]

Originally posted by Sasage@6 July 2004 - 22:56
If I choose to OC the CPU down the road, would I need a new cooling fan to replace the stock one?
The stock fan will work for a marginal increase in speed.
If you start upping the voltages or anything like that your going to want to upgrade the heatsink and fan to something a little more powerful.

[Sasage]

The 9800Pro does sound good, does it matter if its the SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card or the ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card? The difference is &#036;26. Also will this higher end video card require more cooling?

[tesco]

Originally posted by Sasage@6 July 2004 - 23:12
The 9800Pro does sound good, does it matter if its the SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card or the ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card? The difference is &#036;26. Also will this higher end video card require more cooling?
The stock cooling on teh video card should be ifne. If not, return the card, cuase they didn&#39;t build it right lol.
If you want to OC the card, however, you may need better cooling for it...but that can be done later on.

[Sasage]

Does the brand matter Sapphire compared to ATI?

[tesco]

Originally posted by Sasage@6 July 2004 - 23:20
Does the brand matter Sapphire compared to ATI?
Not really. Each may have different extras like uncluded games, svideo cables, etc.
Also the non-ati made ones usually look better and have better cooling, but i guess it depends on the brand too.

do you have a link to the cards you are looking at?

[clocker]

Originally posted by Sasage@6 July 2004 - 21:12
Also will this higher end video card require more cooling?
Yes, it will.

While the cooling on the card itself may be fine, the heat the card produces ( and it&#39;s heatsink is busy shedding) has to go somewhere.
The placement of the card below your northbridge and CPU could hardly be worse from a cooling standpoint...you will definitely have to make an effort to exhaust the extra calories from your case.

[Sasage]

Sapphire Card (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-268&depa=1)

or

ATI Card (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-286&depa=1)

As for cooling, is the general rule "in the bottom front, out the top of the back"?

[clocker]

Originally posted by Sasage@7 July 2004 - 05:38


As for cooling, is the general rule "in the bottom front, out the top of the back"?
Yes, but that rule is so general as to be useless.

Some tinkering and experimenting will reveal the best arrangement for your particular arrangement.