Abit NF7 V2.0 memory and processor upgrade advice?

rockhead21784 · nFHQ Member

Hello,

I currently have a AMD AthlonXP 2200+ with 1GB of memory, using an NF7 Version 2.0 motherboard.

My memory setup is 2 Kingston KVR333X64C25/256 on Slots 1/2 and 1 Kingston KVR400X64c3A/512 on Slot 3. Its only reading 333MHZ though. Am i correct in thinking that if I have the NF7 version 1.0 it can only read 333MHZ, but Version 2.0 can read 400MHZ? Think I read this on the Abit website? Is this true? Any advice?

As far as the processor goes. I used to be able to find a table on the ABIt site that had which motherboards supported which processors. I can't seem to find this anymore? I don't game or anything, just website browsing. My daughter does some disney gaming, but nothing special. I would like to speed up the system some. Wouls just adding more memory help or do you think I should upgrade the processor? If so, how high should I go for just general everyday use?

The next thing is my harddrive. I have a Seagate 20GB ST320413A HD. I definitely need to upgrade. Probably only to an 80GB. Nothing expensive. How much does a HD have to do with computer speed? Any brand suggestions?

The last thing is my BIOS. On the bottom of my boot screen it has 11/22/04 nvidia-n-force 6A61BA1BC-27. What version BIOS is this? Do I need to upgrade?

Thanks-Sorry for the long email.

mydian · nForce Padawan

With the high price of DDR memory vs cheaper DDR2 memory now, and the fact the Athlon XP processors are very hard to find, and so slow now days.. you would be much much better off saving your pennies and just doing a full upgrade. It wouldn't cost much more than upgrading your current hardware since DDR is so expensive.

If you want to keep things cheap, look for a AM2 CPU, decent motherboard, and 2gb of ram. Probably get all that for under $300. You'll pay around that same amount for a CPU and Ram for your system, and it will be much slower. You may also want to look at the Intel offerings since they are the speed kings right now, and very affordable. But, I believe the motherboards are a bit more expensive.

As far as hard drives, RPM and cache have a lot to do with how fast program sload and stuff. 7200 RPM and 16mb cache is the way to go now days. A buddy of mine just picked up a couple 7200.10 rpm 16mb cache Seagate 250gb for $70 each at newegg.

krips · **Off to school soon...** Ultra nForced

The wise man speaks the truth. A cheap Intel C2D, 2gb of PC5400, and a 16mb cache HDD will do you nicely, and go easy on the pocketbook.

rangor gubbins · nForce Padawan

you might be able to find a cheap second hand athlonXP 3000+ or 3200+ on fleabay or similar. But they are likely to be old and well used. IIRC most of the 3000+, and all of the 3200+ were DDR 400. The NF7-S v2.0 board can definitely use DDR 400, but i don't know about NF7 v2.0. If you don't game and only really use it for web browsing, i wouldn't obther with more RAM. Just see if you can find a cheap 2nd hand processor upgrade.

Having said, that as Krips and mydian have already mentioned a new intel C2D system won't cost too much, and might be a better solution. It would certainly be a huge step up from your current system.

ashland_thunder · nForce Padawan

Funny I noticed this post, I might be parting out my old system. I'll have a gig of either PC2700 or PC3200 memory and a mobile XP2500 that I currently run at 2.1 Ghz. If I decide to upgrade my system it will be listed in the for sale area.