Upgrade plans - in need of some advice

C

Count_di_Luna

New Member
Hello everyone,

My CPU fan began to emit an odd noise awhile back which has prompted me to consider fast tracking my upgrade plans. It should be noted, however, that I am far from an expert on computer hardware, but I am determined to learn and to do this myself. Some assistance would be most welcome, though, especially when it comes to the choice of new CPU and RAM memory (and eventually also graphics card). But the CPU first, as this is the CPU forum;)

At the moment my PC specs are as follows:
Asus P4P800
Intel P4 2.00GHz
1GB DDR SDRAM
SoundBlaster Audigy Platinum
Nvidia GeForce Ti 4600

What I use it for:
1) I do a lot of video editing, which works fine with the current setup except that when I work on longer projects or when Premiere has to do some more advanced rendering I encounter some lagging. I also do some sound editing which can alsobe a bit resource heavy.
2) Games, although I have to confess I rarely have time for them any longer. But I still love to sit down with a computer game after a long and stressful day every once in a while, and the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion will be released soon! ;)
Of course I use the computer for other things as well, but these are the two most demanding areas.

I have been checking around a bit and found this CPU:
Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz PC800 Socket 478, 1MB, Prescott, BOXED m/fläkt (= fan included) (2350SEK, which would be around 300$).

I would love to hear you thoughts on this.

Many thanks in advance,
Nils
 
Thanks Yasu, but unfortunately I can't order from newegg. I should've mentioned earlier that I live in Sweden, so I'm pretty much stuck with the Swedish price tags. Even if there are stores that ship internationally I usually end up with the higher price anyway, after VAT, customs, shipping and other costs have been added. It's really not fair:(

But still, thanks:)

//Nils
 
I had hoped to part with no more than 530USD [4000SEK] (graphics card not included, as I plan to upgrade that one later), but I could probably go as far as 665USD [5000SEK] if there's sufficient reason for it.

//Nils
 
Although both the UK and Sweden lies within the EU I still have to pay VAT, and with customs and shipping added I've reached the Swedish price again:( So unless I've missed something I wouldn't save anything by ordering from the UK. Of course if I actually bought the things I need during my stay in London next month perhaps that would make a difference, but I'm not sure if there's such a big difference between computer hardware prices in central London and Sweden.

Thanks,
//Nils
 
yea if you do alot of video editing you should go with an athlon 64 X2, you wont regret it! its the absolute fastest and most efficient for multithreaded applications and processor intensive apps.
get say, athlon 64 x2 3800+! i o/ced mine from 2ghz to 2.4ghz just by pushing a few buttons! didnt even have to raise voltage!
basically, it will run better than pentium 4 3ghz if it were single core... but its dual core, so its much better for video editing and converting and such applications!

Athlon 64 X2 would be worth it!... and say, 2gb of ram? :P
 
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Praetor:
My budget is as follows -
Budget: 530 USD [4000 SEK]

I might be able to extend as far as 665 USD [5000 SEK], but that's really as far as I'm ready to go. It should be noted though that the graphics card upgrade I mentioned in my first post is not covered in this budget, as I don't plan to upgrade that quite yet.

Thanks,
//Nils
 
Hmm with that kind of budget + reuse some parts you can get a pretty nice upgrade.

Option 1: Sticking With Intel
- ASUS P5PL2 ($96.00)
- Intel Pentium D 920 [LGA775, Presler, BX80553920] ($268.00)
- Rosewill 2x512 PC2-4200 ($66.99)
- AOpen 6600 128MB ($89.00)
Subtotal: $519.99

Option 2: Swtching to AMD, dont reuse videocaard
- AMD Athlon64 X2 3800 [S939, Manchester, ADA3800DAA5BV] ($301.00)
- MSI RX800-TD128E X800 128MB PCIE ($135.00)
- Chaintech VNF4 ($54.00)
Subtotal: $490.00
Here you get to reuse your RAM

Option 3: Switching to AMD, reuse videocard
- AMD Athlon64 X2 4200 [S939, Manchester, ADA4200DAA5BV] ($364.00)
- Gigabyte GA-K8NSC-939 ($62.00)
Subtotal: $426.00

Of the three boxes id go with box 3
 
This is wonderful, thanks! I’ve spent some time today looking up this hardware in Swedish stores and I now have some more questions.

As I will likely have to upgrade my video card once Oblivion comes out later this year (I’m not absolutely sure as the system specs haven’t been released yet) would option 2 be the better choice? I know there are good AGP video cards out there, but often they seem to be more expensive then their PCIe counterparts.

The motherboard you recommend in option 2 is unfortunately a lot more expensive in Sweden. I was only able to find it in one Internet store and the cost was a staggering 208 USD!:eek:
What do you think about this card instead:
EDIT: Disregard, I failed to notice where it said "Micro ATX".

There’s a 70 USD price difference between the 3800+ and 4200+ Athlon64 X2, Manchester. Since I reuse my RAM they both fit within my budget, so my question is if the difference in performance would be worth the extra 70 USD? Of course I will have to buy a video card also but, as I wrote earlier, I would probably have to do that within the foreseeable future anyway.

//Nils
 
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Right, here’s a motherboard of more standard dimensions. What do you think about this one:
A8N-E ATX AMD Motherboard
In Sweden the price would be approximately 134 USD.

I’m a bit confused though. According to NEWEGG it does support Athlon X2, but the Swedish store mentions only support for AMD Athlon64 and FX.

//Nils
 
As I will likely have to upgrade my video card once Oblivion comes out later this year (I’m not absolutely sure as the system specs haven’t been released yet) would option 2 be the better choice? I know there are good AGP video cards out there, but often they seem to be more expensive then their PCIe counterparts.
Click to expand...
I would personally get the option2

The motherboard you recommend in option 2 is unfortunately a lot more expensive in Sweden. I was only able to find it in one Internet store and the cost was a staggering 208 USD
Click to expand...
It shouldnt, it's pretty crappy.

I’m a bit confused though. According to NEWEGG it does support Athlon X2, but the Swedish store mentions only support for AMD Athlon64 and FX.
Click to expand...
It should support fine
 
Hi Nils, I'm located in Sweden as well and the cheapest places I tend to order from is these two.

komplett.se
datorbutiken.se
 
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