Moderately ancient computer UPG help

Batman · Post by **Batman** » 2007-05-30 12:18am

So I'm currently using an AMD Athlon XP 1700+ on a Asus A7V266-E mobo and as it looks like I'll have a little money coming my way I thought maybe I'd upgrade to the extent that is still possible with a system that old (was built in late '02).
Given that the latest BIOS update says the board supports up to a 2600+ CPU, I started looking for those-except they apparently use a 333 MHz FSB. Which from what I understand, the board doesn't. I found several articles about 266 MHz 2600+ CPUs, but not a single place where I could BUY them.
What I DID find were 2800+ CPUs with a 266 MHz FSB. So what are the chances of those running in my system? And does the 266MHz FSB 2600+ CPU actually exist?

Second, I currently have a (by now) measly 512 MB of RAM. I CAN still get 266 MHz DDR DIMMs for reasonable money, but only in 256/512 MB. My system supports up to 3 GB as is, possibly more with the latest BIOS (ASUS download descriptions leave something to be desired, but with HW that old I suspect so does everybody else's). I HAVE, to my not inconsiderable surprise, recently succesfully installed a 400 MHz 512 MB DIMM in a 266MHz system (ALONGSIDE a 266 MHz 256 MB DIMM) and it appears to be working 5-by so far. So did I just get incredibly lucky, or will faster RAM simply work but spend a lot of time lounging around in a lower memory speed system? I'm afraid I'm a little behind the times these days.

Uraniun235 · Post by **Uraniun235** » 2007-05-30 02:43am

RAM can be run at less than its rated speed... so you can stick a DDR266, a DDR333, and a DDR400 stick of RAM all in the same computer and it'll all work; it'll just all run at the speed of the slowest stick.

Given that the latest BIOS update says the board supports up to a 2600+ CPU, I started looking for those-except they apparently use a 333 MHz FSB. Which from what I understand, the board doesn't. I found several articles about 266 MHz 2600+ CPUs, but not a single place where I could BUY them.

Where are you looking for these old CPUs? Odds are you're not going to find them for new any more because they're so old; if you're really perversely hellbent on keeping your old motherboard, you're probably best off trying to find something used via eBay or local classifieds or something like that.

Seriously though, what's your budget? $50? $60? Why are you pouring money into components that have been badly outdated for years? You'll get a much better bang for your buck buying something newer.

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2007-05-30 10:35am

Seconded. A 50% or so speed increase on that thing isn't going to run newer games any better. If you want components for an inexpensive computer, I can try and point you in the right direction, but upgrading something based on socket standards multiple generations out of date is just a waste of money.

White Haven · Post by **White Haven** » 2007-05-30 10:47am

Indeed. Sock it away, wait til you can do a full overhaul...at this point, you'd just be treading water. If a chip drops into your lap for stupidly cheap, then why not, but otherwise? Let the old girl die in peace.

Batman · Post by **Batman** » 2007-05-30 12:32pm

Uraniun235 wrote:RAM can be run at less than its rated speed... so you can stick a DDR266, a DDR333, and a DDR400 stick of RAM all in the same computer and it'll all work; it'll just all run at the speed of the slowest stick.

It was my understanding thar running RAM at less than its rated speed (especially when in combination with slower chips) is a might work proposition, not a will work one.

Given that the latest BIOS update says the board supports up to a 2600+ CPU, I started looking for those-except they apparently use a 333 MHz FSB. Which from what I understand, the board doesn't. I found several articles about 266 MHz 2600+ CPUs, but not a single place where I could BUY them.
Where are you looking for these old CPUs? Odds are you're not going to find them for new any more because they're so old; if you're really perversely hellbent on keeping your old motherboard, you're probably best off trying to find something used via eBay or local classifieds or something like that.

Three guesses as to where I'm checking. I KNOW I can't get them new anymore.

What intrigued me was the fact that while there were plenty of used 2600 CPUs to be had all of them have the 333MHz FSB, which shouldn't run on that board. Yet ASUS claims the 2600 DOES. Looks like there used to be a 266MHz version of the 2600 that isn't around anymore.

Seriously though, what's your budget? $50? $60? Why are you pouring money into components that have been badly outdated for years? You'll get a much better bang for your buck buying something newer.

Absolutely. IF I had the money to go whole hog. Currently we're looking at 120-maybe 150€ which is NOT going to by me a satisfactory CPU/RAM/mobo/graphics card combo (modern boards tend NOT to have AGP slots anymore).

And the 'old lady' is still chugging along fine, thank you very much.

I was just curious about what if anything worthwhile is doable WITHOUT ditching the board/graphics card. I guess the answer is 'nothing worthwhile' except maybe a little more RAM. Thanks for your input.