Upgrading to 64-bit

[hougtimo]

Hi,

I am considering moving up to 64-bit computing. The first question i have is, should I upgrade now and pay £300+ or wait a year or so, to get a cheaper price. Also, would it be better to upgrade my current PC, or just get a new one? If i did decide to get a new one would i be better to sell my current PC, or trade-in against a new one?

Also, how much would my computer be worth if i were to sell it today?:

Athlon XP 2000+

1GB DDR PC3200

Nforce 2 mobo, with onboard LAN, Sound

Geforce FX 5200 (128mb)

80GB Maxtor and 20GB Seagate

Hauppauge WinTV PVR TV Card

DVD Reader

DVD/CD re-writer (16X)

56k internal modem

thanks in advance

tim

[Zxian]

I'll say this - you cannot upgrade your current setup. You would in the end be buying an entirely new system.

As for the worth of your current setup... not much I'm afraid. Selling old computers is usually a pain since most of the time, the core components are quickly outdated (The slowest AMD I can find at my computer store is a Sempron 2400+).

IMO, you're better off saving up a bit of money and waiting a while. The prices of the AMD X2 processors are only going to drop, and you'll be getting a big performance boost with one of those in your system. You can also keep your current setup as a file/web/FTP server, or have it as a test system for new programs that you don't want to install on your new baby.

[ripken204]

do not sell it, you wont get much, just use it for now

64bit as in windows or an athlon64? i would recommend you to save up for the M2 socket thats coming out next year and the 64bit windows should be a whole lot more stable and there should be pleanty of drivers.

[hougtimo]

I'll say this - you cannot upgrade your current setup. You would in the end be buying an entirely new system.

As for the worth of your current setup... not much I'm afraid. Selling old computers is usually a pain since most of the time, the core components are quickly outdated (The slowest AMD I can find at my computer store is a Sempron 2400+).

IMO, you're better off saving up a bit of money and waiting a while. The prices of the AMD X2 processors are only going to drop, and you'll be getting a big performance boost with one of those in your system. You can also keep your current setup as a file/web/FTP server, or have it as a test system for new programs that you don't want to install on your new baby.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wuld it not just be a question of a new mobo and cpu package? This PC was originally a 486 , so I'm used to upgrading stuff. I know the Ram and everything will be compatible with a Athlon 64.

I think i will just wait a year or so (this computer is by no means slow - outstrips my dad's 2.8GHZ P4), then use this as a test rig and hopefully get a new pc with all the kit.

thanks for your help!

[ripken204]

so you just want athlon64 and thats all? if you have the patience then wait and come back next year

[Zxian]

Wuld it not just be a question of a new mobo and cpu package? This PC was originally a 486 , so I'm used to upgrading stuff.  I know the Ram and everything will be compatible with a Athlon 64. 

I think i will just wait a year or so (this computer is by no means slow - outstrips my dad's 2.8GHZ P4), then use this as a test rig and hopefully get a new pc with all the kit.

thanks for your help!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think one of the questions that got omitted in the beginning of this discussion is why do you want to upgrade? I've got pretty much the same setup at home (nForce4 mobo, worse video card for me though), and it does everything that I need.

If that PC was originally a 486, then you must have upgraded a lot of stuff in there (essentially everything). Crazy...

[hougtimo]

The reason I want to upgrade is i work with big graphics files (i mean kinda 4-7gb per file) and i have been advised that a 64-bit system would handle it much better.

Yes I have upgraded EVERYTHING inside the PC, so only the case and floppy drive are original

[Seanie's Show]

Theoratically, you will only need a new mobo and CPU, you can definatly re-use your memory and Hard drive, I only have an 80gb HD in my machine, but that depends on wheather you want to use IDE drives or SATA drives ?, also you need to look and your Graphics card, ie do you want to stick with x8 AGP or move up to X16 PCI-e Graphics, both require different mobo's, so that is a choice you would have to make before purchasing a new board, which might require you purchasing a v2.2 complient PSU. You can also use your old CD Drives and case.

If your looking to move up to an AMD64 then make sure you get a socket 939 not a 754, AMD are pushing 754 out of the door. they are not planning or making any new 754 CPU's, 939 is their new baby for now so to speak, and 939 comes with dual channel DDR 754 does'nt.

As for the other bits, just list them on ebay, I see AMD XP Athlon mobo's going on there for £30, and the same for CPU's, "one persons rubbish is another persons gold". the nforce 2 mobo's are the best ive seen yet, and the most stable, nforce 4 is quiet good also, but their nforce3 i hated.

Edited September 11, 2005 by Seanie's Show