Hiya guys.

Well my PC went belly up just before chrimbo (always the way ain't it?)

I'm 99% sure it's either the processor ot motherboard. So am trying to build a new pc locost style.

Things have changed a bit in the pc world since I built the one that died and I need some advice from you knowledgeable peeps out there.

ok here are the questions. Are you sitting comfortably?

1) Can I used the DDR memory from my dead pc in a ddr2 motherboard or will I have to buy new memory as well?

2) Do you guys know of any online bargain shops or is my best bet a motherboard/cpu bundle from fleebay?

3) Considering I'm on a VERY tight budget what AMD processors would be worth looking at? Don't really want to go over to intel as I think that would mean getting another case etc which would mean more money.

Hopefully somoeone will reply soon so I can get bidding (if I have to go through ebay) or otherwise cracking.

As always any help/advise very gratefully received.

I don't know what your budget is, but you could do a lot worse than one of the Dell units from http://www.mcscom.co.uk
They are refurbished and are great value.

£125 for http://www.mcscom.co.uk/product.php?xProd=1396&xSec=36

quote:

---

Originally posted by DorsetStrider
Hiya guys.

Well my PC went belly up just before chrimbo (always the way ain't it?)

I'm 99% sure it's either the processor ot motherboard. So am trying to build a new pc locost style.

Things have changed a bit in the pc world since I built the one that died and I need some advice from you knowledgeable peeps out there.

ok here are the questions. Are you sitting comfortably?

1) Can I used the DDR memory from my dead pc in a ddr2 motherboard or will I have to buy new memory as well?

2) Do you guys know of any online bargain shops or is my best bet a motherboard/cpu bundle from fleebay?

3) Considering I'm on a VERY tight budget what AMD processors would be worth looking at? Don't really want to go over to intel as I think that would mean getting another case etc which would mean more money.

Hopefully somoeone will reply soon so I can get bidding (if I have to go through ebay) or otherwise cracking.

As always any help/advise very gratefully received.

---

if you want, in the 1st week of jan (as i'm not at work) i can do you a 2.8 p4 and a 775 board that takes your ddr1 for £60 inc postage, i think we have them on the shelf

Yep DDR2 runs twice the speed of DDR.

eBuyer are very good.

As far as AMD CPUs the quoted speed is the speed of the equivalent Intel CPU not the clock speed they claim it runs at. So for instance a 1800+ runs at an actual speed of 1.5Ghz but it should offer performance similar to a 1.8Ghz Intel.

So, youre actually getting a better equivalent performance for a slower clock speed. They also allow for some superb overclocking potential.

Hope that makes sense

Im currently selling some bits see here


Rgds

Richie

[Edited on 28/12/06 by RichieC]

Bought all my bits from Scan Computers - cheap and the service was good.

Hard to beat Dell though if you just want a basic cheap PC....

quote:

---

Originally posted by RichieC
Yep DDR2 runs twice the speed of DDR.

eBuyer are very good.

As far as AMD CPUs the quoted speed is the speed of the equivalent Intel CPU not the clock speed they claim it runs at. So for instance a 1800+ runs at an actual speed of 1.5Ghz but it should offer performance similar to a 1.8Ghz Intel.

---

The point it seems is up for debate but Ive heard both sides of it. Some argue it is compared to the P4, others to the Athlon Thunderbird.

Strikes me, a lot of people are confused by the term Athlon. Its just the term AMD used for every (non budget) desktop CPU after the K7. Since then though theyve not changed the name but they have changed their rating system; indeed its been binned all together for their latest CPUs which are still called Athlon (FX) but now use the actual frequency.

For the earlier comparisons though, I side with the argument that why would AMD compare their clock speeds to their own product, that would be pointless. Their only competition at the time of the Thoroughbred cpu was the P4.

It still comes down to the fact, for a given output, the AMD (with the exception of the £££ FX) will have a lower clock speed than the P4. Therefore they had to market the chip in such a way as it was outwardly competitive with Intel. Otherwise they wouldnt have sold any because like for like to joe public, the Intel will always have the faster clock speed.

Dont take my word for it though...... here
here
here

Very long winded reply but certainly not a straightforward deal. At least AMD are now moving towards marketing their CPUs with their actual clock speed and not a comparison however derived.

[Edited on 28/12/06 by RichieC]

Hi all.

Thank you for the helpful replies and offers.

In the time between posting the orginal thread and being able to get back to it today I've managed to source a new motherboard and cpu. (ECS motherboard & Athlon 64 3200 CPU).

Hopefully I should be able to get my/a pc up and running the first week in the new year so I can get back to all you lovely peeps. (I can hear you groaning you know!)

That said in the new year I will when funds allow be looking to upgrade with more memory etc, Graememk is your offer of computer bits at trade an ongoing one?

Thanks again one and all and look forward to seeing/chatting with you all in the new year. Hope you have a good one.

quote:

---

Originally posted by RichieC
The point it seems is up for debate but Ive heard both sides of it. Some argue it is compared to the P4, others to the Athlon Thunderbird.

---