Whats the highest speed P3 processor? Trying to upgrade for Doom3

[j0hn]

I already have a Radeon 9800 in the mail. But I need to upgrade my 1ghz p3 chip. I can install it myself.

I can't afford to upgrade to a p4 motherboard, a p4 processor, then get another gig of ram that I already have for my p3 board.

So basically how high do the p3 processors get? Or did they stop making them at say 1.5ghz(guessing) and focus on p4s from then on?

Also (I would like at least a 2ghz chip to install) do you know where I could buy a p3 processor online?

[Strider]

Welcome to PCMech!

I highly doubt that a P3 will be able to handle Doom 3, because even some P4's will have a taxing problem with DOOM 3.

I would just waitl till you can afford a newer P4 motherboard or you can go the AMD route; which, might be cheaper.

A couple of questions for you - Is that a ATI Radeon 9800 or ATI Radeon Pro? Does you current P3 motherboard have a AGP Slot?

[j0hn]

Hey Strider,
Yah its not a pro. I got it for $170 on a website. Is AGP the long slot? I know I have four PCI slots. Then the long slot which holds my pixel-shaderless GeForce4 MX.

How much do you think a p4 2 ghz processor with a p4 motherboard cost if I got the parts at the right site?

~sigh~ then I would have to get new ram ><

The minimum requirements were released.

Minimum:
P4 1.5Ghz CPU (or equivalent).
384MB of RAM.
64MB graphics card (see below for chip details).
2GB of free hard drive space.

Yah its saying P4 so I guess I need the superior P4 architecture to play it well.

I could barely move in Painkiller. I played the alpha Doom3 and it was just as bad. I guess I need to upgrade to P4 everything which is difficult because I'm in college.

I also have WoW and Halflife2 staring me in the face.

[j0hn]

Strike that it is a Pro here is the link where I bought it.
Outpost

[yellohut]

yeah, your best bet is to upgrade to a P4.. you could save some money by only going for 512 memory (that should be enough).

[|/|/1CK3D1337]

Yeah, if I were you I would buy just one stick of 512 for memory because you want to upgrade to 1 gig eventually and that way you can save some money.

[discodanman45]

To save money try an AMD set-up. You could get yourself a 2500+ Barton and motherboard for under $150. With RAM, I would get 2 sticks of 256 MB pc3200 and run them in dual channel. 512 MB of RAM is what I am using, and it is more then enough for current games. True, it will come to a point where 1 GB is needed, but not for awhile.

[j0hn]

Dan, I never understood the AMD number system and how it relates to Ghz like in Pentiums. What does a 2500 translate into a Pentium chip? $150 with a motherboard sound awful nice to me!

Anyone know any sites where I can get the parts?

Edit: I found that "Translation thread" do you know where I can get that $150 dollar deal Dan?

[discodanman45]

I am actually not sure how the number system works either. However here is my guess. The FSB of a 2500+ is 333 MHz, The older Pentium 4's had FSB buses of 400 and 533 FSB. But the Pentiums are quad pumped, which means the FSB is 100 or 133 MHz for the older Pentiums and the Athlon 2500 is 166. So in actuality an older Pentium 4 2.5 GHz cpu is comparable to a Athlon 2500 that runs at 1.83 ? Ghz. So even though the Athlon 2500 is "slower", it runs at comparable speeds to "faster" Pentium cpu's. This is just a guess!

AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Barton $87
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-379&depa=0

ASUS "A7N8X-X" nForce2 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL $67
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-468&depa=0

$154 with free shipping, quite a nice deal!

[j0hn]

Nice!

What RAM do you suggest I buy for the 2500+?

Also do you think I can just throw this new motherboard into my old P3 case(tower)?

[Spartan]

I would use Kingston Value RAM. Kram turned me onto it and I have been really happy so far. It should fit into your case as ATX has been the standard for about the last 10 years. I used to be an Intel only guy but recently have been using AMD and, again, I have been happy with those experiences.

-Spartan

[discodanman45]

Before you buy those recommendations I gave you, get second opinions. I am a Pentium guy and am not familar with the Athlon motherboards. You don't need a case, pretty sure, since P3 have the same form factor as the ATX and micro-ATX. Here is a nice case with a good power supply just in case (hah, that is a pun!). Do not use generic power supplies!!!!

$66 case with shipping included, Enlight Mid-Tower ATX Case with 360W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...116-150&depa=0

[j0hn]

Originally Posted by Spartan I would use Kingston Value RAM. Kram turned me onto it and I have been really happy so far. It should fit into your case as ATX has been the standard for about the last 10 years. I used to be an Intel only guy but recently have been using AMD and, again, I have been happy with those experiences. -Spartan

Something like this?

Kingston

BTW I'm watching "Spartan" in 30 minutes at my friend's house

[discodanman45]

That mobo I listed does not have dual channel capabilities, so no use getting two seperate sticks. You should stick to a 512 MB stick if you get the mobo I suggested. Maybe someone knows of a cheap mobo that supports dual channel that you could get. But that is good RAM, I would suggest it.

[j0hn]

Ok Dan I'll post a full build after a while and see what people think.

Yah I'll get that case. It may take a few more paychecks to buy everything at once.

Shame because Doom ships August 3rd ><

[discodanman45]

For $66 it is a decent case with a great power supply. If you had your system for a few years you PSU is probably 300 W or less, which you need at least 300 Watts with your video card. If you like your case, you can get a PSU for about $32. This will keep down on your cost. But I am not totally sure if the case will be good for your new system.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-605&depa=0

[j0hn]

Originally Posted by discodanman45 That mobo I listed does not have dual channel capabilities, so no use getting two seperate sticks. You should stick to a 512 MB stick if you get the mobo I suggested. Maybe someone knows of a cheap mobo that supports dual channel that you could get. But that is good RAM, I would suggest it.

Awesome I'll get the one stick.

[j0hn]

This may sound pathetic but, does anyone know a company that handles custom built AMD systems with monthly payment plans?

It would take me about 2 month to get all the cash to do this properly. Or I could get it soon with some sort of a payment deal.

I've only heard that Dell and Alienware do custom built payment plans but I think they are all Pentium.

[mb26]

um, j0hn, i guess u could get a loan it would probably be better, as your going to be paying more for a custom build than doing it yourself.. dell dont really do 'custom builds' they just let u customise their pre-set PCs a little.. alienware are well know rip-offs (not that they're bad PCs, just wayyy to expensive)

if the case has an exhaust fan then it should be fine, check what your PSU is u may not need to replace it. if u do then a 300w sparkle should do fine and not cost much.

where did u get those system requirements from? if its not official (ie from the game producers site themselves) then i would question the 2.4ghz. certainly if they are minimum rather than reccommended.. i'd wait until it comes out and try to play it first before buying a new PC. you may find the min. requirements are just a myth and u dont need that much. i'd guess that it would be playable with a p3 1ghz and a 9800pro.

the athlon XP moddle numbers were made to be inline with the p4s, ie 1800=P4 1.8
obviously CPUs are complex things, and the AMDs are better in some areas, and the P4s are better in others. so its not as black and white as 2500=2.5ghz p4.
also when the numbering system was created the p4s were on 533mhz bus (133x4), when intel moved (some) to 800fsb, amd couldn't 'downgrade' their CPU numbering, because that would mean that the new CPUs would have lower numbers than the old ones, so they'd be out of line with themselves. (hope that made sence).

'the superior P4 architecture'
generally speaking, the p3s architechture was better than the p4s. at the same mhz, the p3 was faster. also intel based their first pentium Ms on P3 architechture, not the P4, so that says something. the p4 allowed higher MHZ speeds though.. the p3 max is 1.333ghz (or 1.4 for the p3-S).

also, i would have to suggest that (if you are going to upgrade), as always, that you get an XP-m, for a few more $ you can overclock the hell out of the thing, and if u dont want to do that then u get a nice cooler CPU (u could probably run it without a case fan if u dont on your old case), and you can up the FSB to 200, allowing u to use the full speed of the pc3200 ram

also, if you can't afford new ram, then you can get motherboards which support both SDR (old) and DDR (new, ish) ram. you will however be limited to 133fsb (266 with AMD, 533 with intel) and older chipsets. and you wont get as much performance with SDR as DDR.

[monster]

The Houston Chronicle has the skinny on how much computing power will be needed to run id Software's Doom 3. Since its introduction in 1993, Doom has a history of pushing hardware to its limits and the 3rd release of Doom is no exception. According to CEO Todd Hollenshead, the newly minted Doom will require at least a 1.5 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor or AMD Athlon 1500, 384 MB of RAM, 2 GB of free hard drive space and either an nVidia GeForce 3 or ATI Radeon 8500 (or better).

http://www.betanews.com/article/1090384895

[Richolmes72]

I would also worry about your hard drive space, you said you only had 2gb spare and Doom 3 is between 2-3Gb which is actually quite small for a modern game... as soon as you get some mods and maps this should be easily 3gb and you should always have 1gb spare for windows to "grow" and for virtual memory....etc.

So I think your best idea is to build a new PC from scratch, at least then you're left with a 2nd working PC too, cos theres not much on there apart from case and peripherals you could use.