Registered: May 2001
Location: GA, USA
Posts: 76

Help on upgrading my computer

I am planning on gettgin a new motherboard and processor, probably some kind of Duron or Athlon.

What I am not so sure of is this: I have PC 100 RAM, will that be ok with say a Duron 850 or up? Do I need to get DDR?

Also, is there a big performance difference in the Athlon and Duron?

What other little compatibility thing sshould I be aware of?

TIA

Aaron

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Pembroke,MA
Posts: 307

Aaron,

Dell's got a great deal today on a P4 1.6Ghz 128mb PC w/GeForce 2 64mb ddr video out card, CDRW, NIC and Modem for $449 w/ free shipping. How much is a processor/motherboard/memory cost (and possibly other periferals) ?

I saw this deal via slickdeals this morning:

http://www.slickdeals.net/#p2208

Didn't know if you really had your heart set on AMD, but this is a great deal.

Registered: May 2001
Location: GA, USA
Posts: 76

I have seen some AMD/MOBO's (@850 mhz) combos for like $180...

Looks good,IFI can keep all my other parts.

I always have trouble remembering...can I use slower ram with faster bus speeds? i.e., PC100 RAM on a 200 FSB system?


Aaron

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: St Petersburg Fla
Posts: 224

Good place for info on memory is:

www.crucial.com

I decided last December to upgrade my computer system. I've got a great chassis and power supply. ATX format.

If I'm going to the effort of replacing the motherboard and chipset, I want the latest.

Found out that a motherboard with a PIII 1ghz is more money than a P4. Also the P4 would require a new power supply. Factor in also a new hard drive.

I required Windows XP Professional since I need to start working with ASP/VB.Net(I develop Windows Apps at work).

I looked at Dell's refurbished units. You can get good deals there, most systems had XP Home. This would require the $100 upgrade(Educational discount). Plus add in shipping at ~$95.

I waited for Dell's promotional discounts and found 256meg memory for the price of 128 and free shipping. This was close to a $170 discount.

So I ended up ordering a new unit with just the specific options, 256meg,40gig drive, NIC card, no modem or speakers, and XP Professional.

Made sense for me to get a new unit from Dell rather that build my own.

For others, it depends on what they want and/or need. Bottom line is to price out all options and pick the best soution for you.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

There is a performance difference between the two chips that makes a difference for gaming and graphics. You cannot usually use older RAM with newer mobo's (you can use faster RAM with a lower bus, but not vice versa). You wouldn't want to, at any rate.

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Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.