CPU and Mobo Upgrade

[gru]

Hey guys, came across the forums through google and everyone seems to know their stuff so I figured maybe someone could help me out with a few questions.

I built my first PC back in 2002 when I graduated high school, since then I've been upgrading parts one by one.  This might not be the best idea, but being in college it is the only way I can afford to do anything.  

Last summer I bought an ATI X800 Pro as well as 1GB of DDR400 (PC3200) RAM.  I've come to realize that my current CPU doesn't have high enough FSB to really take advantage of my X800 Pro.

My current specs are as follows:

Soyo Dragon Lite P4X400 Mobo
P4 2.66 Ghz 400/533 FSB (Mobo says it's running at 133 Mhz though?)
1 GB PC3200 RAM
ATI X800 Pro 256 MB
On-board Audio/LAN

I'd like to upgrade to an AMD Athalon 64 3500+, I'd like it to have 1Ghz FSB.  I've seen what seems like a nice CPU, but it has FSB Integrated on chip, I was curious as to what that means? *Edit* Oh, the other thing I wanted to add was.. I'm looking to spend between $300 - $400 USD on this upgrade.

Seems like a lot to type for what seems to be a simple question, but I'd appriciate any help you guys can give on my newest upgrade wishes!

Thanks,

-gru

[neb1211]

First off 133mhz is the actual fsb speed before it is quad pumped (multiplied by 4) so in effect runs like a 533mhz fsb.

I don't know what you are talking about when you say the fsb is integrated on the chip as the fsb is the path between the processor and the rest of the system.  However I do know that the athlon 64 processors have integrated memory controllers which basically means that the processor manages the memory instead of the motherboard.  The big disadvantage of an integrated memory controller is that you would have to upgrade your processor and motherboard in order to switch to a different type of ram and to my knowledge the athlon 64 do not currently support DDR2 (however, support for DDR2 is supposedly on its way).

I do agree that the Athlon 64 3500+ is a nice processor and offers the best bang for the buck.  Do you know what motherboard you are going to be using or would you like help choosing a motherboard?

 

[gru]

Thanks for the info, didn't realize it was quad pumped like that.  Is that how it is for every CPU (that they're quad pumped)?  Some help picking out a mobo would be awesome actually.  I just need it to have AGP x8 instead of the newer PCI-e though.

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

That's the processor that says "Integrated into Chip FSB."  I'd look at the 939 socket CPU's but are they really that much better?

[neb1211]

I would personally go with a socket 939 processor as AMD plans to discontinue the Socket 754 Athlon 64s and use socket 754 for the Semprons and future budget processors.  Socket 939 would offer you more in terms of future upgradability as AMD plans to use Socket 939 for its performance processors.  The Athlon 64 3500+ is a fairly popular chip and is supposed to be a pretty decent overclocker.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819103533

Also I would probably suggest looking at the nForce 3 motherboards as they support AGP.  I haven't had any personal experience with the nForce 3 chipset but I have heard that it is a pretty good chipset and I don't find that hard to believe if it is anything like the nForce 2 chipsets.  The most popular nForce 3 motherboard seems to be the MSI K8N NEO2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813130514
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813130468