Upgrading an old MachI - Suggestions needed..

[rbdaniel]

Hello everyone

I have an "older" MachI running on a Gibabyte 7N400 Pro with an AMD 2700+.

I do not use it too often now and I am considering upgrading to new technology, and retire my other PC in favor to new technology.

I am relly split on which technology to use: AMD 939 socket or AM2 socket or to an Intel Core 2 duo LGA775 socket type.

The only advantage I see on using the AMD 64 procesor is to keep using the same memory I already use( I have a Mushkin 2-2-2 sitting around). My video is old enough to grant an upgrade (FX5200).

I would go for either an AMD or Intel, but I would prefer the AMD cpu.
Other things to consider: mobo compatibility. I am not sure which mobo's are compatible anymore. There was a list somewhere, but I am pretty sure it is
outdated by now.

I could transfer: hardrives, memory (depending on setup), CDR-RW, DVD player and OS. Would need a new Power Supply with SLI in mind, PCI-express or AGP video card.

What is your guys feeling towards an upgrade? I really do not want to
mod the Mach I at all. So it would have to be a setup I could use with out too much changes. ( I know I would have to buy the kit from a Nventiv reseller)

Thank you

Daniel

[runmc]

ATM - I'm liking the Intel people - Conroe - ho-ho-ho :D

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas this year. I hope you have a fat wallet Dan.:slobber:

[rbdaniel]

Hello runmc

Heck no, that is why it took me this long to even consider a move..
Merry Christmas or not, I may have to cash on all giftcards to get something later...But seriously just too many choices to get not including the fact that has to work with the MachI.. lol

Daniel

[[XC] gomeler]

Core2Duo architechture for the win :) It clocks better and clocks higher than the K8 architecture and you can get some wicked performance out of the low-rung processors. The only downside is after about 3.2GHz core2duos get extremely hot as you have to dump more voltage into them to get a stable overclock.

[runmc]

I didn't know you could change the mounting hdw on MachI :nono: You could fabricate a piece of plastic to fit over the current mounting hdw. so you could add new screw hole (maybe) The MachI should work fine on a 6400 Conroe.;)

You'll need pci express video card (maybe 2) new PSU, DDR2 memory. If you keep your eyes open you might be able to find a good deal on a mobo - cpu combo. The 6400 Conroes are a nice chip. I may be getting one for my daughters rig.

[ma1kmcn1]

Roles have changed again and Intel is now the top dog for performance. I just bought my first Intel setup in five years last week. The e6400 would be much faster than your current setup. On the other hand an X2 3800 939 setup would also be much faster than what you have now and I am sure you would be very happy with it and get to keep those fine Mushkin sticks. The best future proof solution would be to go Intel with a price difference of under $200.

[kayl]

if you cut a little v in the plastic where the insulation normally goes, you can get the old probe out and clean the suction line a little.
then dab some thermal paste on the new one and strap it to the suciton line.


http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2647/dsc08035fz8.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc08035fz8.jpg)

[rbdaniel]

Hello everyone

Thank you for your replies. I visited the ECT website and saw in their news area that they were to ship a cpu kit for the AM2, albeit for the Mach II. So, now I could have another option.
Core2Duo architecture e6400 looks nice. $217 @newexx.com, motherboard is a different story, lots of choices sli or not, etc.

AMD side. Socket 939 mobo with a chip or m2 socket with x2 chip.

The prices on the mobos are comparable, until you ask for SLI, then it jumps.
I am not sure that I would want to got for an SLI setup, although it is tempting, i think not in my budget. Probably getting a good up to date Video card would suffice for a while. Maybe a mobo capable, if i find on e with a good price.

Memory: Too bad I would have to jump into the DDR2 bandwagon. I would love to use the memory I already have, but can you do...
I really have a lot of catching (reading) to do to get the just of good speeds and type of DDR2 available.

Thank you for your replies, Any more ideas..

Daniel

[LostInSpace278]

If you really don't want to mod anything, you could go for a 939 dual core Opteron. People are getting good clocks out of them. Plus you can go Sli, and still keep your 2-2-2 Mushkin.

[[XC] gomeler]

Before I upgraded to my E64 I was sitting with an A64 3200+ on an AGP board with some fine OCZ plats all churning away at ~3GHz. While the computer was quite the machine compared to my older A-XP, when I compare it to my E64 there is no contest. I made the jump to Intel rather than to a s939 PCIe board as I wanted a system that'd last me 2-3 more years and have the option to upgrade the videocard and memory as better products release. s939 would be a great upgrade if you want to minimize your upgrade costs but remember you are also limiting yourself to a dead platform, it won't be getting any faster and there won't be anymore boards for it. Then again the price can be an amazing incentive, it all boils down to how much you are willing to spend. Have you thought about seeing how much your rig would sell for to help offset the cost or did you plan on passing it down, etc?

[rbdaniel]

Gomeler: you have a good point as for upgradablility, and costs. I really did not think of selling the parts I had since i was considering swaping my hardrives, memory,case and PS to new rig.. But wait, i have to make sure the PS I have is good enough... lol. Let me think about that. For sure the machI is definately a no sale...


lostinspace278: That is what I thought originally to do a jump to 939, but considerations to longer term kind of make sense too.

I really need to come up with a budget and see what is out there on a intel path or AMD path for next 1-2 months. Considering I have both Intel and AMD already, I am not favor to either, but to what is the best rig for me to play with that may have future options.