Processor/Motherboard Suggestions

[Dillinger4]

Well it's time to scrap this PII 400Mhz for somthing a little more snappy. Something with spice perhaps. :D So i will ask away.
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Should i go with an Intel or somthing made by AMD?

Should i look for a larger amount of cache or faster processing?
1.6GHz Intel Xeon processor with 1MB Level 2 cache and 400MHz front-side bus or 2.4GHz Intel Pentium 4 MPGA processor with 512KB Level 2 cache and 533MHz front-side bus

What kind of mother board do i match up with this new processor? Can i just by them togther in a set?
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Well that's it for now if i can think of anything else ill be sure and ask. ;) Thanks.

[VisionIT]

Firstly...

Intel Xeon's are mainly built for servers M8, so very few home users will see the full benefit of using one.

Secondly...

AMD Rule in every sense. Wait a few months though... as the AMD Athlon 64's are coming out, which will top the XP's off the scale. Do a search for "Bye Bye XP, Hello AMD 64", my post'll be there somewhere.

Only buy Gigabyte. Seriously, you won't get any better. I use a GA-7VAXP Ultra, and word's can't describe it! :) It won't support the new 64bit x86 AMD 64's, but it's fantastic with the XP's.

Spend less on your processor, and more on your memory. 512mb DDR and above would be fine, but get PC2700 or higher if possible.

Hope this helps you. Feel free to contact me should you require any further details.

Regards,

Paul.

[Dillinger4]

Fantastic! The main reason i want to upgrade my mother board is to take advantage of faster memory like DDR and RamBus. Also dont the newer mother boards support faster hard drive interfaces? And also. Are there any drawbacks to using a 64bit processor? Thanks for the help.

[Dillinger4]

I just read Bye Bye XP, Hello AMD 64. Very interesting. :)

[NoteMe]

I guess that VisionIT will correct all my mistakes if I'm wrong here, so I will just jump into it.

I'm not sure here, but since these are the first 64bit processors, they may be a little bit buggy in the beginning. But maybe not....

And other thing. Isn't windows 32bit. Will it be so much better to have a 64bit processor if you still have a 32bit OS??? Or will the bit performance boost come when you have a 64bit OS...

[VisionIT]

NoteMe...

Would i do such a thing? :p

He's right though... the second series 64bit CPU's are bound to be a little problematic in the beginning, but rest-assured... AMD will solve them ASAP.

Oh... and windows is coded as a Win32 app, but it will be possible to run previous versions on a 64bit architecture. Windows XP 64bit obviously supports AMD 64's already, although many people just use the basic Home/Pro editions. Valid point though M8... hadn't thought of that! :)

Anyway's... in answer to Dilengar4's questions...

Memory Support

Currently the faster DDR available to the public is PC3500, which is superb. Never buy RD-RAM (Rambus). Although RAMBUS has it's advantages, it's being phased out, so you will never be able to upgrade your memory without changing your motherboard. :(

Hard Disk Support

New motherboards now have ATA133 support, and the 7VAXPU mentions earlier, has SATA150 (Serial ATA150) with an effective 150mbps. Be careful though... 90% of HD's don't yet support SATA150, although Seagate are likely to be the first.

Graphics Support

Many new motherboards (including the 7VAXPU) have an 8X AGP socket, delivering the ultimate in gaming and speed from new generation G&NPU's. Nvidia Geforce FX & ATI's Radeon 9700 PRO make full use of these features, whilst giving unreal GFX quality by utilising Directx 9.0 media. Get a GFX card with DVI, it's a must :)

Until the new 64bit CPU's become available... it's difficult to give any drawbacks for the average user. Only time will tell!

Regards,

Paul.

[Admiral Michael]

Originally posted by NoteMe
I guess that VisionIT will correct all my mistakes if I'm wrong here, so I will just jump into it.

I'm not sure here, but since these are the first 64bit processors, they may be a little bit buggy in the beginning. But maybe not....

And other thing. Isn't windows 32bit. Will it be so much better to have a 64bit processor if you still have a 32bit OS??? Or will the bit performance boost come when you have a 64bit OS...

There is a Windows Xp 64-Bit Version.

[NoteMe]

Originally posted by Admiral Michael
There is a Windows Xp 64-Bit Version.


I didn't know that when I was posting, but VisionIT have alreaddy corrected me on that one...;)

[VisionIT]

Originally posted by Admiral Michael
There is a Windows Xp 64-Bit Version.

I guess he didn't spot that in my last post :p

It isn't as well known yet, but when the 64's do arrive... it'll be common knowledge!

Regards,

Paul.

P.S NoteME, sorry if it always seems I'm correcting you :p

[NoteMe]

Originally posted by VisionIT
P.S NoteME, sorry if it always seems I'm correcting you :p


Don't be sorry. It wouldn't be anny fun if you didn't. I don't know that much about hardware. I'm more of a software guy (programing stuff ;))....but when you are in the helping mood maybe you want to help me with my CD database in JAVA using "lists" too...:D

[VisionIT]

I'm more hardware, but I do dabble in a little programming from time to time! I've done pascal, VB, Delphi, ASM & not forgetting spectrum ZX!!! :D

I'm just starting another MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) & CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) course, but it's a bit expensive!

If I can help with your program... let me know. JAVA isn't really my area... but i'll try anything once. Smoking & drugs an exception :rolleyes:

Regards,

Paul.

[NoteMe]

I'm an A student in JAVA, so I don't think that I need any help. Are now on my way to master in prgramming. Doing VB, JAVA, ASM, PHP, C++ etc....But thanks anyway. I at least know who I'm going to ask for hardware questions...;)

ØØ

[VisionIT]

True :)

Good luck with your courses M8y, lets hope you pass! What master's grade you taking BTW?

Anyway...

I've got loads to do, so i'll talk to you l8er pal.

Regards,

Paul.

P.S Thanx for registering with our forums too! :) Tell everyone!

[NoteMe]

I'm not to familiar with the US names of the degrees, but directly translated to English it would be something like Computer Science, so maybe it is the same as a CS degree in USA (If the CS degree is 5 years).

And yes I will tell people about your forum...;)