I'm finding upgrading my PC confusing?

Question

Hi all,

I curently have the following specs:
AMD Athlon XP 2800, 2.09 GHz
1GB RAM
GeForce FX5900 (126MB, AGP)

I would like to upgrade to an AMD 64 processor but have been made aware that I would have to also upgrade my motherboard. I'm fine with that, however to save money I would like to keep my other devices (primarily my graphics card and memory). My confusion comes when looking for motherboards, I have found it hard to find any motherboard that have an AGP expansion, they all seem to be PCI. I thought that AGP had become standard for graphics. Some of the motherboards have integrated graphics which are better then my card in some cases however I would like to upgrade in the future and am not sure that PCI graphics is the way to go.

Does anyone have any advice, maybe a few good websites that have a good stock of computer conponents. Finally is there any benifit to choosing a particular socket motherboard e.g. 939, 754 etc.

Thank you in advance

Steve

Thanks for all your help, some of those web sites are great, but a couple are American. Any more British web sites? Thanks again everything is a lot more clearer.

Answer 1

Generally speaking -- PCI express has become the "new" standard for graphics cards, passing up AGP.

I have found that Newegg typically has a decent stock of parts, and I have yet to have a bad experience with them.

Also note that your memory will have a specification, too -- SDRAM, DDR, or somesuch, and you will need to make sure that the motherboard you get will support it, along with AGP.

Also note that components have been getting a new interface - SATA - which is different from the older ATA interface for storage devices. Different connectors and power supply needed.

The particular socket of a given motherboard will determine what processor you can place into the socket. So, it can have an effect on what you can upgrade your new processor with in the future.

For example, the ASUS K8U-X Socket 754 has an AGP slot, and will take an AMD 64 processor that is designed for Socket 754. Don't know if it will handle the memory you currently have, though.

Answer 2

In terms of graphics, AGP has been passed up twice. first with PCI, , and now with PCI-E. Look for a motherboard with at least 2 PCI-E slots. Hint Hint, look for SLi motherboards. it will make it easier to upgrade in the future.

In terms of sockets, you'll either want 939 or AM2, depending on what processor you get. I would recommend getting a 64 X2. AMD has dropped their prices so much that you can get a 4200+ X2 for $182(Newegg.com.) This processor uses the AM2 socket which i would recommend since it wont be outdated as quickly as 939(hopefully.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010200022+1070921489&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=22

www.newegg.com is great for parts btw. Great service, incredible shipping.

Notice that if you upgrade processor and mobo, you will most likely need to upgrade memory.

Answer 3

AGP used to be the standard. But now all the new and good graphics card use PCI, witch is better then AGP.

Yes you don't want intergrated graphics, thats for sure.

The sockets matter by what processor you want to use. So I would look at the processor you want, and then find a motherbaord that has that socket.

I use Tiger Direct, Newegg, and ZipFlyZoom

Answer 4

motherboards nowerday use pci-e whitch isnt the same a s agp
agp is the old format now and motherboards are geting scarce buy a new pci-e motherboard and pci-e card

pci-e ORANGE SLOT
http://images.crucial.com/images/pcie_lores_callouts.jpg
pci
http://www.tcommate.com.tw/photo/PCI-4P2.jpg

also try to get a am2 socket and cpu as it is mone of the more recent sockets

Answer 5

try finding this mainboard " MSI k8N neo fsr v2.0" it's socket 754 with very good performances and overclocking capabilityes http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=571. And unfortunatly agp was a standard and still is but will be replaced soon by pcx.

Answer 6

Tigerdirect.com is good too. They have a decent selection of motherboards and everything else including motherboard bundles which might help you out more.

Answer 7

Go to Tiger Direct

Answer 8

touch the producer of your laptop. in spite of if it extremely is an older device it extremely is picky approximately reminiscence, so it extremely is ultimate to circulate with the producers recommended by utilising your laptop or motherboard producer.

Answer 9

Scan.co.uk is good, quite cheap and fast delivery too

Answer 10

take it to pc world, they will sort it or advise you on all options.
pcworld.com