View Full Version : Thinking of getting a new CPU
Pedar
07-05-2005, 10:31 PM
Hey everyone, glad to see that the board is back up and running.
I'm thinking of upgrading my cpu (system is in my sig) probably looking to get an AMD athlon xp barton 2800+ or if I can find it (very hard right now, I have been looking) AMD athlon xp barton 3000+.
Overall I'm just wondering if it is worth the move up from an xp 2000+. I don't plan on upgrading my whole computer any time soon as my parts are still good for my needs but as you know the socket A's are almost extinct so I'm just trying to get my last cpu upgrade possible for this mobo.
Thx for the input!
Pedar
Depends on what you're doing. You should be look at a 3000 or 3200+ to make it worth while.
Dr.Dan
07-06-2005, 12:05 AM
As AMD said; it depends on what you're using your computer for. You may see no improvement at all if you don't need the extra CPU speed...
Limey32
07-06-2005, 12:41 AM
On the other side of the argument, a cpu upgrade will help take advantage of your video card, which right now, is held back by your cpu. If you are a gamer it will help alot.
Pedar
07-06-2005, 07:17 PM
Ops guess I forgot to add what I use my computer for. Actually I do everything on my computer... it is my tv, stereo/radio, dvd player, internet, photo editing, little bit of video editing and yes I do game (CS:S, HL2, Doom 3, Farcry, UT2004 etc.).
I actually found a place selling the 3000+ and have put an order for it already.
Will keep you updated once I get it.
Thx!
Pedar
Dr.Dan
07-06-2005, 08:46 PM
OK, now that we know that you do make full use of your CPU, yes, you'll see an improvement in performance by going to the 3000+
How much did you find one for?
Pedar
07-06-2005, 10:12 PM
OK, now that we know that you do make full use of your CPU, yes, you'll see an improvement in performance by going to the 3000+
How much did you find one for?
A little more than I planned for but it was pretty hard to find so I decided to shell out the $165+tax. It is the retail version, but I will be using my vantec aeroflow instead of the stock HSF. Not sure whether to use regular thermal compound or go out and purchase some arctic silver. Would it make THAT much of a difference???
Stock heatsink /w thermal pad is fine if you aren't overclocking.
The Vantec is a loud POS - I have one and regret it.
Pedar
07-06-2005, 11:42 PM
Stock heatsink /w thermal pad is fine if you aren't overclocking.
The Vantec is a loud POS - I have one and regret it.
Yeah AMD I do agree that it is pretty loud or as my better half says the tornado is on. I am not an overclocker so everything will be running at stock speeds.
I did some reading online about the stock barton 3000+ HSF and got some mix feed back. Some say that it is good and only a high end thrid party HSF would be better and others say that it is absolutely horrible. I wouldn't mind just giving the stock fan a try and if I don't like it changing to my aeroflow afterwards but that would mean taking off the thermal pad which can be a pain. Any further suggestions??
Thx again!
Well, if you don't mind noise - just put the vantec on. If not, try stock first. The pad can be cleaned off with something like goof off; just be very careful.
Shinma
07-07-2005, 02:05 PM
... but that would mean taking off the thermal pad which can be a pain...
Should not be much of an issue using isopropanol alcohol and a plastic card.
For ideas on quiet HSF:
LINK (http://www.silentpcreview.com/article30-page1.html)
Pedar
07-08-2005, 10:03 PM
Well the upgrade is now done. Went with the vantec instead of the stock HSF. Just went with some reg thermal paste too since the store didn't have any Arctic Silver, working well for now.
It was strange though when I took off the vantec and looked at my old XP 2000+, there was actually no thermal paste on it, or it didn't seem like it anyways (had a frriend look at it and he said the same). There was a mark from a thermal pad though, friend said that whoever installed it in the beginning (no it wasn't me) must have stuck on the original XP 2000+ HSF then took it off and put on my vantec on leaving part of the thermal pad behind. Weird!!!
Limey32
07-09-2005, 12:35 AM
So, do you notice a change yet? Was it worth the upgrade?
Make sure that you have the memory running in synch with the FSB. If not, performance suffers.
Pedar
07-09-2005, 08:58 AM
So, do you notice a change yet? Was it worth the upgrade?
I haven't really done much yet in terms of testing. Windows and programs do seem to load faster though. I played maybe about 5 min of UT2004, hard day at work, needed to blow some stuff up (isn't that what FPS are for??) and that was much smoother with details and options turned up higher than I had before.
When I have time I'll do some benchmarks, though I never did any before the upgrade to compare it to. Any recommendations of some benchmark apps that you use?
Thx!
Pedar
07-09-2005, 09:02 AM
Make sure that you have the memory running in synch with the FSB. If not, performance suffers.
Hmm I didn't change any of the settings of my memory from before. I have 2 sticks: 1 256 in slot 1 and 1 512 stick in slot 3, infinion and samsung respectively. I don't overclock and I don't plan to.
Which settings should I be looking at and what should they be?
Thx!
FSB/RAM clock divider ratio in the BIOS settings. Set to 1/1 or equivalent - FSB should be at 166Mhz. Check motherboard manual for details.
Pedar
07-10-2005, 09:17 PM
FSB/RAM clock divider ratio in the BIOS settings. Set to 1/1 or equivalent - FSB should be at 166Mhz. Check motherboard manual for details.
Thx. All settings were already as you have stated.
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