rec.autos.simulators

I want to upgrade my MoBo and CPU.  I have a 1 Gig Athalon. My current MoBo
uses a Via chip set which I've always had trouble with.  So I'd rather not
deal with Via again.  I had thought about moving into a P4 system but I
understand they require a different case so now I'm leaning towards AMD
again.  Also I just got a GeForce 4 Ti4200.  GTR 2002 runs ok but sometimes
gets choppy, ditto some HEAT Mods. Also, thinking about requirements for
N2003 and RL in the future.  (Maybe just N2003 I don't want this thread to
go down that road.)

TIA

ps I've never done anything more complicated than change a Graphics card, so
if you could speak slowly and with small words.  Thanks

If you want AMD but not VIA, the only way to go is with an nForce2-based
motherboard.

FYI, you'll probably need new RAM, since I highly doubt a 1GHz Athlon has
DDR. ;)

Anyway...the Asus A7N8X has gotten amazing reviews, and so have a lot of
other nForce2 boards (it's just that the A7N8X Deluxe is the only one I've
dealt with).  CPU-wise, I'd go with a 2100+ if the budget
allows...especially if you want to overclock, the 2100+ TBredB's at NewEgg
for $101 (NOT the 2100+ at $88, thats the un-overclockable Palomino) seem to
be THE CPU buy right now.  Add a stick or two of DDR RAM (the nForce2 can
use two sticks of DDR in a 'dual channel' setup), a good heatsink/fan, and
you should be good to go.

Milhouse

I've had good experiences with the ECS K7S5A/LAN mobo, which
goes up to XP2200+ speeds. Also, it uses the SiS chipset which
seems to be less buggy than the VIA one, and provides two
sockets for SDRAM so you can upgrade to DDRAM later should
money burn a hole in your pocket.

cheers,

uwe

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I think, with BIOS upgrades the K7S5A goes higher than 2200, I'm not sure
though.. Would be worth looking into.

Mike
http://mikebeauchamp.com