A little computer geekishness(Is that a word?)

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

Alright I want to upgrade my processor to somethin a little faster, but I don't know what my Motherboard can handle. It's a Compaq 5430US, I have no problems diggin around in my computer's guts but I thought I asked to see if anyone knows an easier way, ie:software or site with product specs. I've checked Compaq/HP's site but can't find diddly. Any help would be greatly appreciated. :D

[Acedeal]

best and simple answer Rip out the motherboard, and put non-propiatary componets in it..

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

Oh that sounds like good idea. I think I'll just stuff a Athlon XP 3200+ where my P4 1.8ghz was. :roll:

[IsZi]

No, don't just pull the CPU, pull the WHOLE BOARD!!! Go out and find something non-Comcrap! ASUS boards are great!

[-=DoW=- Dsotm]

HAve a look at some of the new 'Granite Bay' mobos. Any of these from Abit, Gigabyte, Asus etc support the new 'hyperthreading' technology for Pentium. This islike having 2 cpu's on one board. For a review of seven of these boards at one of the most respected sites around go to

http://www.tomshardware.com/mainboard/20030203/e7205-01.html

As you will see from the conclusion, choice these days is dictated more by features than performance. I have an Abit IT7-MAX2 selected because all peripherals run from on board USB1 or 2 ports, and it has 2 on board firewire ports and a LAN, all of which I use.

I also overclocked my P4 2.53 to 3.00 rock stable :D :D

If you need any help let me know

[-=DoW=- Lago]

www.pricewatch.com Good place to find stuff. Get rid of the propitary junk it's worthless. Sell to the local puter store.

[IsZi]

http://www.pricegrabber.com/ <<< Another good site. And I say burn the Comcrap.

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

Hey I've had no troubles with my puter but I want something faster. I was hoping I could replace the CPU first then work my way up to mobo and other peripherals. Oh and that ASUS mobo looks nice. I'm not sure what my current mobo can support though.

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Hmmm from what i get, it says that you processor is an AMD K6-2 400MHz? You mentioned a P4 1.8 If you could tell me what processor you have now, i can probably give you the info you need. If it is an AMD K6-2 400MHz, you are out of luck for upgrading... it just wouldn't be worth it. But i doubt thats what it is.


ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/supportinformation/consumerdocs/maintservcgd/5300.pdf

had to type that link out, ill try to remember to test it. Also, if you're getting a new mobo, you'll likely need a new case, because those gd things are made usually for proprietary stuff, and a standard ATX mobo, will not likely fit in there, and even if you do get it in, you will likely not have very good airflow. Which is critical these days. Heh, if you want i can send you an alienware knockoff aluminum case with the acrylic side panel for 200 CDN :-) Although that price is likely high compared to everywhere else, its hard to get stuff at good prices here on PEI, its so dam small. Only 150,000 ppl in the whole province. Anyway, if you could give me a few more details on your system, i'll see what i can dig up for ya.

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

It's a Compaq Presario 5430US P4 1.8ghz. I wanna go faster. So which should I get first mobo or CPU or graphics card?

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Sorry, thats just my dyslexia kicking in! hehe, i saw 5340, not 5430 :stick:

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

ko s'tahTThat's ok :)

[fccm(sw)]

My computer cost $1000 last November...made it myself with a little help from a former employer and wholesale parts.

When I was working building computers in a very small company (six people), we decided to stay with commonality.

We only built and sold Intel Pentium chips, so we only sold Intel boards.

We all know that the fastest, most current chip runs double what last month's chip cost...so I got my chip, a 2.4 GHz Pentium 4, and an Intel 845 motherboard for around $400-500. The rest was spent on a CDROM drive, a CD burner/DVD player, power supply etc.

But I also splurged on a medium end video card...MSI GeForce Ti4400
which cost more than the CPU...

I believe this combination may be adequate for at least two years.

So my suggestion is buy compatible boards with chips, buy as much RAM as possible and spend the big bucks on that video card if you play games.

Oh...and then search the world for a 17inch Flat panel screen...It's like color TV...you'll never go back to black and white.

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Heh i build computers in an even smaller company :-) 2 ppl, my boss and me, and a secretary that comes in twice a week.

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

What should I get first all ye who are geekier than me? CPU, MOBO, or Graphics card(Geforce FX or TI 4600)?

[Dead Pygmie]

Mainboard, video, then the CPU. Motherboards and video cards are going to stay about the same in prices for awhile, but the CPU prices drop all of the time. This is the order I went it. Not the law, just a suggestion.

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

I would suggest a Radeon 9700 Pro, they just went down in price quite a bit, and it should last quite a bit. I know the test samples of the GeForce FX were pretty good, but VERY loud, and not that much better than the 9700 Pro. But then again, they were only Beta cards. I havent seen any hard evidence yet on performance with production cards. It is my understanding that you can only get a GeForceFX with an Alienware Predator PC right now, but please, someone correct me if i am wrong.

As for order, i would say get the CPU last. Grab a Granite Bay chipset mobo first, or a vid card, doesnt matter which but i would strongly suggest a vid card first, only because you will notice it the most, especially with your current config. The mobo will be likely be the longest lasting part, so get a good one. I'd recommend ASUS (P4G8X). The CPU you have will work in any new P4 mobo, and its nothing to sneeze at now. This is just my :2cents: and i apologize if it doesnt make any sense, cause i think ive had 1 or 2 too many beers. I have the idea in my head, and i hope i got it across. Good luck, and i couldnt find anything on your current system. The 54XX pdf file was again, for a K6-2 at 450 MHz , so it was obviously for the wrong system.

Well, time for another beer i guess.

[-=DoW=- Dsotm]

Maury is quite right - if you get a godd vidcard and a new mobo you should be able to overclock the P4 to around 2.3 -2.4. The new Gforce cards womt be worth buying for 6 months - the 9700 pro will be king of the hill for a while yet

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

Thank you for all your help! I've decided to go with the motherboard and as such have take n the advice from Maury and getting an ASUS P4G8X Deluxe http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/socket478/p4g8x-d/overview.htm Probably by the end of the month when I get my tax refund back.:) Also nVidia will be releasing their GeForce FX real soon and yes Alienware currently is only one with it for now. Tests show the preprod model is only a hair faster than the radeon 9700 and very very loud in comparison. Although I really like nVidia but if the final production model isn't much better then I'll go with the All-In-Wonder Radeon 9700 Pro, I gotta have my features.:) Thanks again for your advice! :mrgreen:

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

WOOHOO!!!! I got my taxes back!!! I'm gettin a new motherboard and a new case!!!!!

[TR-JustinMc06-]

Great good luck with it :D

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

AAAH!! This is takin too long I want my mobo now!!!! Grrrr, stupid stores around here are all out of ASUS P4G8X Delxue and anyother Granite bay boards. I ordered one online now I just gotta wait. I DON'T WANNA!!!!!

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

One more day and I'll be really speedy!!!!! AAH I can't wait much longer!!

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

Well do to heightened security in New York my board will be delayed til friday. Aw well I guess I can wait until then for that kinda reason. :cry:

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

So, did you get it yet!?!

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

I GOT IT!!!! I'm trying to get my hard drive to work right now. So I'm stuck on my laptop right now so no AA for now. :(

[SilberPfeil]

Not sure this is the right place to post, but I need some help. I think I am having cooling problems my CPU runs at a temp of 46 deg celcius and for me that seems to be a little hot. My mobo runs at about 38, 39 deg celius. I have 4 case fans 2 for intake and 2 for exhaust plus a thermal take volcano 7 cpu fan I am running a Athlon XP 1900 on a soltek board. I don't have any performance issuses I just think it is running abit hot.

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Nah, thats prettty normal for an Athlon IMHO

[-=DoW=- MauryMac]

Hey Smokie, if you are running Windows 2000/NT/XP you will need to load the new motherboard drivers before you replace it, otherwise the OS will not recognize the new controller. Not sure what kind of hdd trouble you are having, but thought this may be of some use. Sorry i didnt post earlier, just didnt click till now. :oops:

[Kryten121]

Not sure this is the right place to post, but I need some help. I think I am having cooling problems my CPU runs at a temp of 46 deg celcius and for me that seems to be a little hot. My mobo runs at about 38, 39 deg celius. I have 4 case fans 2 for intake and 2 for exhaust plus a thermal take volcano 7 cpu fan I am running a Athlon XP 1900 on a soltek board. I don't have any performance issuses I just think it is running abit hot.

Dude thats not running hot at all, running your processor at 60-62 is fine and when it pulls into the 70's is when you get the nasty blue screens for no reason. Damn I wish I had my machine running that cool, anyone got any sufggestions on how to cool my machine down?

[ByteMe97]

Air Condition it...

No seriously...

1. Cut a hole 8 cm or 4" in diameter one side of the case and add a length of flexible dryer duct about 1 m (2-3 ft) long

2. on the other side cut a 8cm or 4" hole and use a length of flexible dryer duct roughly the same lenght.

3. between the two place a small electronics type fan 8-10 cm or 4-5 inches so it draws from one duct and forces air through the other.

This is not truly air conditioning but thr corrugated design or the dryer duct acts as a heat sink for the draw side. Hard parts: power to the fan if you buy 12v and not a/c and getting a decent seal (not air tight) between the fan and the duct work.

Total cost for me was $22.00 USD. But i got the fan used might cost you more or less.

I have actually run a server with one duct hooked to an Air Conditioner and just vented the other side but it requires a lot more expense if you don't have an AC handy. :)

Just a thought... I'll see if i still have the pictures some where.

Oh or you could by a liquid cooled case...

[-=DoW=- SmokieRat]

Well I've got my board up and semi running. Apparently I've got some bad RAM, leftovers from my compaq. So I've gotta get me some new stuff, either way I'm quite enjoying this overclocking thing. Got her 1.8ghz to 2.25ghz but that's as high as she'll startup with. Now once I fill all 4 DDR 266 slots with 4GB of RAM I'll be a happy man. :D Now I just need $1000 and I'll be fine. Hey Ace! Wash your car for $1000 bucks? :lol: