Upgrading to a 64-bit CPU

[scottie924]

I have an ahtlon that runs at 1.33 GHz. I am interested in upgradeing to an Athlon64 which would also require a new motherboard. I am wondering how I could find out if my other hardware (like RAM, viedo card, sound card, etc.) will work with the motherboard or which one's I'd have to replace. I have DDR-266 RAM. I don't know how to know for sure if it would work or not. I know it would be easier to just buy a new computer, but I don't have that much money.

 

[GrowingHaze]

Upgrading to a 64-bit Athlon system would require at least DDR-333 RAM. Sound cards integrated into motherboards today are pretty good, so you wouldn't need to worry about that. Unless your video card is fairly new (GeForce4 or Radeon 9000 or higher), it would be wise to replace this as well. Don't lose hope though! Newegg.com is selling AMD Athlon 64 2800+ and CHAINTECH SK8T800 with a combo discount of $63! This is quite a steal. But the whole rig will still cost over $400 with RAM and video card.

-Growing Haze

 

[Nelviticus]

Almost all new motherboards have very good built-in sound, as GrowingHaze says. Some also have decent built-in graphics based on nVidia GeForce 4 technology or similar, so if the board you're after has this and it's better than your current card you don't need to worry about whether the old card will work.

Any gfx card should work in any Athlon 64 motherboard unless it's a very very old AGP one.

When you've decided what motherboard you want, check the manufacturer's site for what memory it supports. They normally go into quite a bit of detail.

Nelviticus

 

[cdogg]

scottie,

You should be able to transfer over your sound card no problem. However, the RAM will need to be upgraded. Also, the video card should work as long as it supports either 1.5 or 0.8 volts, meaning AGP 4x or 8x. If it's an older AGP 1x/2x card, you need to get the specs and see if the voltage is supported - unlikely since most of them run at 3.3v.

Anyway, assuming that you can transfer over the hard drive, sound and video cards, then you're only looking at RAM, CPU, and motherboard for now. You'll definitely want to upgrade all components eventually, but that should get you started!


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[DragonQ0105]

For the cheapest Computer stuff, internet sites are always your best bet (if you don't mind waiting a week or so for the stuff to arrive).

http://www.newegg.com

is very good, and so is

http://www.ebuyer.co.uk

(for those in the UK).

The following system only cost me £473!
JNC Black Case (with matching Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers, and 400W AMD Ready PSU)
Gigabyte GA-7S748-L
AMD AthlonXP 3200+ (Barton Core; 400MHz FSB)
1GB DDR3200 SDRAM
120GB 7200RPM ATA133 Hard Drive
52x32x52 CD-RW
Floppy Drive
2x 80mm Fan
GeForce FX5600 (128MB, AGP 8x)

A similar system from my local PC World would've cost £850-900 (granted theirs come with a monitor, but I already had a 17" Flatscreen Black Monitor )

 

[SirNuke]

I also recommend pricewatch.com, they do not directly sell parts, but have records of a lot of online companies and can sort the parts by prices.