Cheers Ian.

I'm in a similar position. Have a 2000XP system right now with 512Mb PC2100
RAM. Running a bit hot.

Looking for something to multitask faster (I have lots of open programs and
play music, TV in background).

*Very* tight budget. Have £200 to spend for new set-up (mobo, cpu and ram -
if needed?). Any ideas?

Cheers.

Bobby
"Ian Riches" wrote in message
t...
Franklin ) wrote...
Hi guys, after several years I have run out of power on my old 700
MHz Duron system and now want something new.

I don't play games, I am not a power user, I don't do video or audio
editing. I just surf and do some small office activities.

So what app is giving you the urge to upgrade?

I had thought of upgrading my current system to a T'bred 2400+ but
the PSU is not big enough and the case is a bit small, so I will
build a new system instead.

OK.

A Barton 2500+ (with maybe an Asus A78NX mobo) is more than enough
power for me but am I buying into obsolescence? Athlon64 is where
the growth will be and furture residual values will be higher than
for Barton.

Whatever you buy, you are buying into obsolescence. It's guaranteed
with computers. All you can vary is how long before it is reached.

If you keep this machine as long as you have presumably kept your
Duron 700, then the difference in used value will be pretty
negligible, IMHO. What's the difference between a Duron 700 and
Athlon 1200 (say) today? Not a lot....

Are there any other advantages of Athlon64 for a user like me other
than that?

Umm. It's faster. If you have the urge to try a 64-bit OS then you
can. It's good for bragging rights. Your hair will start to grow
thicker, and more luxurient. Women will find you strangely
attractive. Sorry. I've been reading too much marketing material.

Are there particular disadvantages ... e.g. more expensive mobos
for athlon64? more expensive memory?

The whole system will cost a fair bit more, as you suggest. Mobos
and memory will be pricier.

My advice is to set some parameters for the upgrade. Either set a
performance goal (I want it X times faster than current) and then
investigate acheiving that for the minimum outlay, or set a financial
limit (no more than UKP 500, say), and buy the fastest you can for
that.

Without a real idea of what you want you may end up disappointed,
broke, or both.

Ian

--
Ian Riches
Bedford, UK