Need suggestions on Upgrade

Dr_Pentium · Rated R Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 58 Location: Toronto

Well finally after 2-3 years or so with my current system its time for a total overhaul. I'm looking to build a completly new system.

I have a few options though.
Current System is
AMD Athlon XP 1.4ghz @2.1
768mb PC2700 DDR
80GB wd HD
SB Live
Leadtek TV tuner
Radeon 8500 64MB
Mbo: Abit KX7 333
All sitting in a full tower (modded inwin q500)

Now the options for upgradig i have are as follows either get a laptop or build another desktop. I was looking the laptop route just so i would have a portable platform to work on, and something about using the internet without wires makes me feel all warm Smile

(i have wirelss g netwrok setup)

Laptop range is a max of 2300 canadian without tax

Then on the other hand i tried to price out a Desktop
Here is the list of parts i was lookining into

Mobo: Abit IC7 MAX3
CPU: Intel P4 2.8E prescott 1mb cache
Ram: ???
Video Card Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb
Sound: Built in
Niic: Built In
HD: WD SATA 7200rpm 120gb hd
DVDRW
kybd/mouse logitech elite wireless duo

All put together in a clear acrylic case with a 480watt thermaltake butterfly psu

The total for the above mentioned parts come up to around 1434

THIS PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE MEMORY (still deciding on brand and amount) NOR DOES IT INCLUDE A MONITOR

What do you guys suggest?

And what the deal with PCI Express i hear summer but then again DDR took a while to get here...

dadx2mj · Posted: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 13:15:49 Post Subject:

Personally I would hold off a bit if I were you. Soon the pin structure on the AMD 64 bit processors is going to change and PCI express will be coming. I personally plan on holding off an any major upgrades until these two features become mainstream and affordable.

Dr_Pentium · Rated R Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 58 Location: Toronto

thanks for the reply dad Cool

yeah a couple of my firends have been telling me to wait till pci express makes it into the market..

Do you have any clue when the new PCIexpress and well 64bit systems should be rolling in ?

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 13:24:09 Post Subject:

If you wanna upgrade, I'd live up to your name, and get a new Pentium! No need to be on the absolute cutting edge, but maybe something like the 2.8E you mentioned, which is only $182 US... and hopefully trekrider will tell us how good that thing is... Laughing

BeerCheeze · Posted: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 13:57:06 Post Subject:

Tough choice. Normally I would say just go for it (and I'd lean toward the A64 because of the longer life with the 64bit... but it'll be a while before the OS is out from M$).

However... with all the changes coming up in the near furture... a wait might be justified. Basically consider that PCI-Express boards and products should be out by the end of the year, the new A64's will be out with a new pin set, new chip's from Nvidia & ATI should be out...

So... it's not just about a little faster speed if you wait (which is what it normally is), but more about some fairly substantial changes.

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 13:58:39 Post Subject:

So, its a matter of waiting who knows how long, and spending God knows what for the newest of the new... Or, getting something with serious power now, spending way less, and having fun immediately!!

NOW!! NOW!! Razz

Dr_Pentium · Rated R Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 58 Location: Toronto

lol why is it that BigBruin comes across as a devil.. hehe, you sure your a bruins fan and not a Jersey fan Grin

i guess PCI express is a substantial change to the pc structure.
I dont want to spend around 2400 (cad) and then find out by the end of the summer the whole pc industry has changed becsaeu of pci express. If i spend a good deal of money i'd like my purchase to be future proof..

I guess if its within the year i could wait it out..

In the mean time i could buy a nice home theatre for my new 56inch Panny Smile

damn the choices of life... damn them all

Dud3! · Posted: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 14:16:46 Post Subject:

Why would he get a P4 2.8 to upgrade? His current CPU is already that fast. Laughing

I'd wait on the A64 FX line to get cheaper or get a laptop. If you get a laptop, get a Sager.

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 14:30:41 Post Subject:

If he gets a P4 now, he'll have money left for a case and speakers, McGhetto!

Is McGhetto like Jipetto? Or whatever Pinnochio's creator was called? Laughing

Are they both good woodworkers?

Dud3! · Posted: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 14:51:27 Post Subject:

It's like McGuyver. And no, I don't do woodworking, you must have me confused with my friend.