Need some advice for upgrading....

[nsyrax]

I want to upgrade my PC to improve my performance with the Adobe Creative Suite 2 and wanted to know what the BEST thing I could do to improve my graphics performance with the programs in the Creative Suite. My specs are as follows:

CPU(s)
Number of CPUs 1

Name AMD Athlon 64 2800+
Code Name ClawHammer
Specification AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 2800+
Family / Model / Stepping F 4 A
Extended Family / Model F 4
Brand ID 4
Package Socket 754
Core Stepping SH7-CG
Technology 0.13 um
Supported Instructions Sets MMX, Extended MMX, 3DNow!, Extended 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, x86-64
CPU Clock Speed 1800.2 MHz
Clock multiplier x 9.0
HTT Bus Frequency 200.0 MHz
L1 Data Cache 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L1 Instruction Cache 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L2 Cache 512 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64 Bytes line size
L2 Speed 1800.2 MHz (Full)
L2 Location On Chip
L2 Data Prefetch Logic yes
L2 Bus Width 128 bits



Mainboard and chipset
Motherboard manufacturer MSI
Motherboard model MS-7032, 1.0
BIOS vendor American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS revision Version 07.00T
BIOS release date 04/02/01
Chipset VIA ID0204 rev. 00
Southbridge VIA VT8237 rev. 00
Sensor chip Winbond W83627THF

Graphic Interface AGP
AGP Status enabled, rev. 3.0
AGP Data Transfer Rate 8x
AGP Max Rate 8x
AGP Side Band Addressing supported, enabled



Memory
DRAM Type DDR-SDRAM
DRAM Size 1024 MBytes
DRAM Frequency 163.7 MHz
FSBRAM CPU/11
CAS# Latency 2.5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# 3 clocks
RAS# Precharge 3 clocks
Cycle Time (TRAS) 7 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (TRC) 10 clocks
DRAM Idle Timer 16 clocks
Command Rate 2T
# of memory modules 2
Module 0 DDR PC3200 - 512 MBytes
Module 1 DDR PC3200 - 512 MBytes



Software
Windows version Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
DirectX version 9.0c

Video Card
ATI Radeon 9600
256 MBytes

Any suggestions? TIA!!!!!

 

[iss]

When it comes to working with vidoeo theonly things that will make much of a difference is 1. faster processor. 2. more ram.

 

[nsyrax]

OK, with my current setup, would it be better to basically start over and get a new mobo and cpu or just upgrade my cpu and ram? Thanks!

 

[DonNagual]

Here are the supported CPUs for your motherboard by the way:
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_cpu_support_detail.php?UID=621&kind=1

You'd probably notice a nice difference by upgrading to the Athlon64 3700+ (ClawHammer) and 2 gigs of PC3200 ram.

You will then have maxed out your upgrade possibilities. If you want any better than that, you'd be looking at a new system.

 

[nsyrax]

Is this a good place/price for RAM?
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=D400HX2GK3
They onlt have the 939pin of the CPU and I need the 754pin, so I guess I'll have to get it somewhere else. Any suggestions?

 

[vegasgmc]

Check Ebay. You can find 3700 and 3400,s with 1mb L2 cache. Those are the best socket 754 chips.

 

[DonNagual]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103464

 

[nsyrax]

The 3700+ says it's 1600 MHz and the one I have now says it is 1800MHz, why would the one I have be at a higher MHz?

 

[DonNagual]

http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/des...700DAA5BN&opn=ADA3700DKA5CF&opn=ADA3700AEP5AR

Something is wierd. According to AMD there is only one socket 754 Athlon64 3700+ cpu, and it's HT is 1600Mhz.

 

[Didou]

Do not get clockspeed & HT link speeds mixed up.

 

[DonNagual]

Even if he is mixing up HT and clockspeeds, something is still wacky. His clockspeed should be 2400Mhz, not 1800mhz.

Nsyrax, where are you getting that number from? Surely you are not talking about the clock speed of your current Athlon64 2800...

 

[nsyrax]

I used CPU-Z to get the info that I posted, I just copied and pasted it. Am I not running at full clock speed? Do I need to change some BIOS settings?

 

[DonNagual]

I think I see the problem now (and I think Didou saw it as well).

You are comparing the HT of the 3700+ with the clockspeed of your Athlon64 2800+.

Athlon64 3700+
clockspeed: 2400Mhz

Your Athlon64 2800+
clockspeed: 1800Mhz

When you said:

The 3700+ says it's 1600 MHz and the one I have now says it is 1800MHz

I thought you had bought a new 3700+
But you are talking about your 2800, aren't you.

 

[vegasgmc]

I cant believe Neweggs price on the 3700+. I bought mine from them last september and it was only $200 and it came with a free hard drive. Check Ebay instead.

 

[nsyrax]

The one I CURRENTLY have is the 2800+, sorry for the confusion :0) So mine is running at the proper speed then? BTW, you guys ROCK!!!!! Thanks for being so helpfull. I wish all forums were like this one.

 

[DonNagual]

vegasgmc, was yours the socket 939 version? They are much cheaper than the 754 versions, and still around the $200 mark on Newegg.

Nysrax, yes your CPU appears to be running at the proper speed