XP 1900+ vs. XP 2400+ vs. XP 2600+? - Tech Support Forums

Brangwen · March 6th, 2003, 05:44 PM

Fellow Members:

I have an IWill XP333-R motherboard with an XP1900+ CPU. It presently runs very nicely but I'm due an upgrade present to myself.

My motherboard will run up to an XP 2600+ CPU ... I notice it is roughly $100 more expensive that a XP 2400+, but the XP 2600+ has a 333FSB vs the XP 2400+'s 266FSB. I use my computer for the usual purposes:

- Word processing
- Burning CDs
- Photo / graphics work
- Surfing the Net

Am I going to notice any/much difference between:

1. my current XP1900+
2. XP 2400+
3. XP 2600+

In other words, is it worth it?

Thx.

Brangwen

Win2KPro
Matrox Parhelia Graphics card
Samsung monitors - 2
Maxtor 40GB ATA133 FastDrive
Seagate 18 GB SCSI 15K RPMs
Tekram Adapter card
Plextor 16/10/40
Integrated sound
Linksys Ethernet card, etc.

**Martoch** · March 6th, 2003, 05:47 PM

How much of what kind of memory are you using at the moment? I would consider a memory upgrade before a CPU upgrade personally, unless you're running a very large amount already. My initial opinion is no, it's not worth the upgrade for what you do.

If you can't fight the urge to upgrade your cpu, why not try OCing your current 1900+? If you fry the chip, you'll be forced to upgrade!

Bob The Great · March 6th, 2003, 05:52 PM

I'd personally go with the slower CPU and get more memory with the money you'd save. Like Martoch was implying your programs such as picture editors need more memory a lot more then more CPU speed. The web works just as well on a pentium2 as it does on a pentium4 3ghz (sorry intel). CD-burning is mainly dependent on HD and CD-rw speeds as well as your mobo a little. The CPU won't help much if at all there. Word proccessing...well my 486 dx2 66mhz runs office 97 reasonbly well, so I think your good in that area right now.

smurffart · March 6th, 2003, 05:57 PM

I second the additional memory...get as much of it as you can afford. I do huge graphics and photos for museums and image editing will choke without enough ram...the more the better.

AuraEdge · March 6th, 2003, 05:58 PM

That comp probably wont run the 333Mhz FSB version of the Athlon 2600+, only the 266Mhz FSB version. If it ran the 2600+, 333Mhz, then it should probably support the 2700+ and 2800+ as well. The last 266Mhz FSB Athlon was the 2600+, so that probably is it's real limitation (the 266Mhz FSB).

My opinion - Keep your CPU until the 2600+ 266Mhz comes in a real nice price range, or you can find someone to buy your 1900+, then jump up and max out the board. If its just the upgrade bug, upgrade something else, like sound, RAM, or HDD if your running out of room.

Brangwen · March 6th, 2003, 06:00 PM

Hey, thanks a lot guys! I appreciate the responses from some names I recognize. Presently I'm using 512 MB Twinmos PC 2700 DDR.

Any suggestions?

Brangwen

Edit: AuraEdge: I did not realize the XP 2600 came in 266 and 333 FSB flavors! Wow, I almost made a huge mistake! I was just getting ready to send for a 333 FSB model, and IWill does not distinguish between the two different FSB processors in its BIOS upgrade site. I've been away from CPUs for awhile (since I bought this board and XP 1900+s were expensive) as I've been very pleased with the rig. That darn upgrade bug ... We've all been bit, but maybe I'm getting smarter!

**Martoch** · March 6th, 2003, 06:08 PM

Are you implying that your 1900+ with 512MB PC2700 is running slowly?

~or~

Are you just wanting to upgrade because it's been a while? I've been there/done that many times myself.

EDIT: Just read your edit, the darn upgrade bug...

I know the feeling!

AuraEdge · March 6th, 2003, 06:11 PM

Go for a gig of PC2700.

Its probably one of the better thing you can do for performance, and one of the longer lasting upgrades, but I've noticed that upgrading RAM doesnt always satiate the upgrade bug like a new CPU does. If your willing to do whats best for the comp in leiu of satisfying the upgrade bug, go for it.

You dont typically feel a sense of "upgraded" when you go from a mid RAM system to a high RAM system, but you sure feel it when you go back down to mid.

jdurbin · March 7th, 2003, 12:58 AM

Ummm, considering what you are using your PC for I don't think it is necessary to upgrade at all. You could always do a decent OC if you were bored. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket then mod your case. ;-)

Brangwen · March 7th, 2003, 01:15 AM

jdurbin:

My case is totally modded! Window on side, 6 Panaflo Whisper fans, Rheostats (fans always on low) ... BayBus, etcetera.

No, my system is really a great rig. Quite fast. After using my wife's PIII I realize how fast my computer is! I just got the "bug" ... If anything, perhaps I'll double my memory or I'll just ignore the bug and get back to work! I think the bug often appears during a period of procrastination. You know how even a new ball point pen can motivate you to get desk work done? My situation is really similar when I'm honest with myself.

Brangwen