Replacing old stuff...

[Sleepy_Steve]

I'm half tempted to upgrade my old P4 tower now that the case has some VERY nice airflow. The question is if I'm upgrading a P4, and replacing the mobo is pretty much a given, is the day of the dual core done already? Is it really all about the quad if you're basically replacing all the important parts of the box?

One of my other questions is if should I continue to completely ignore the chips offered by AMD?

Assuming this is a perfect world and I reuse my PSU, how much am I looking at for a quad setup? (chip, mobo, and ram)
And would a limited budget mean it makes sense for a dual core or to wait till a quad is more agreeable with a smaller budget?

[eaglescouter]

If space is an issue
If power draw is an issue (lack of plugs or circuit breakers)
Then the Intel quad is the only reasonable option.

PSU requirements will be 24 pin, and many boards require EPS12V, so your PSU may also need replacement (but your case, CD, and hard drives are probably useable)

If you want a quad intel bargain check the ocf classifieds, there are a few there.

[Sleepy_Steve]

Space is an issue for me, not really power draw, but there is a limit to how many boxes I am comfortable to keep upgrading for this stuff.

So, now I'm looking at intel quads... 45nm or 65nm?

As for the PSU, needing to upgrade that seems to be just the cost of waiting to upgrade as things tend to become obsolete as time goes on. Even if that means tossing out my little old Fortron 550w single rail PSU of awesome.

[eaglescouter]

So that points to fewer boxes of higher quality. That reinforces the Intel Quad as the chip series to focus on.

[Sleepy_Steve]

This might be out of what I can afford for a little bit, but seeing as I'm in need of a new PSU anyway....

Might you know of a Mobo that could support this chip?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117151

Yeah, it would be one crazy box, probably Linux only for 24/7 folding use :D

[Sleepy_Steve]

Hmm, about $800 + some more case modding on my full tower to get an 8 core box going... or about $500 and no modding for a 4 core box....

.... (checks online banking)....

Oh Wow Hahaahha, and credit card balance + need for new tires = me not having the same spare cash I thought I did :D Man, I need to get a job. :rolleyes:
Oh well, I guess a slight upgrade of the video card and a KVM will have to hold me over. After all, the P4 can still fold 2 instances. :beer:

[ChasR]

When you get some cash, stick with LGA 775 chips. A Q6600 oc'd to 3.0 GHz will toast a E5405 Harpertown 2.0GHz on a motherboard that won't overclock and costs more than twice what a P5K or DS3L costs. THe X3210 is cheaper than the Q6600 and will still get over 3 GHz with ease and use cheap PC6400C4 ram.

[Sleepy_Steve]

Cool, I was kind of curious about the OC features on the server boards... I didn't quite expect that market to support overclocking just yet ;)

On the bright side, the Prescott still makes one darned good space heater.