Buying a new cpu, need input+2

[slowbiz]

So I've decided to upgrade today. Here's my current setup.

Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz, 400 MHz FSB
ECS 848P-A Motherboard
512 MB of PC3200 ram
Nvidia GeForce FX 5900XT 128 MB
WD 80 GB, 7200rpm, 2mb buffer Hard Drive
LG 8X DVD-RAM drive

I'm planning on buying a new processor and I had my eye on this P4 2.80E GHz one. I found it on sale for $239.00 canadian (you Americans get everything for so cheap). I was also going to grab another stick of 512MB ram for $115.00. I want to upgrade because Doom 3 isn't running very good on my computer. It goes slow when there's any attack scenes, and I've done all the tweaking I can.

Anyways, any advice on the processor?

 

[Lazn_Work]

That motherboard might not support Prescott (E) processors.. I would verify that first if I could.

It should work other than that..

But be aware that the 848 chipset is bandwidth limited because it is not dual channel capable. It will be crippling the processor to the tune of 5%-20% depending on what you are doing. A 865 or 875 chipset is what P4's shine on.

==>Lazn

 

[slowbiz]

well I bought said processor

how can I find out if the motherboard supports prescott (e) processors? it doesn't say anything about it on the web page, and the computer seems to be working fine.

 

[Lazn_Work]

If you put it in and it works, that would tell you....

and actually on their main page http://www.ecsusa.com/products/motherBoards.html

they say it does support prescott, so you will be fine.

==>Lazn

 

[slowbiz]

Good good.

I'm wondering about something here.

Under device manager, it displays 2 P4 cpu's. What's that all about? I've only got the one installed.

 

[Lazn_Work]

Good good.

I'm wondering about something here.

Under device manager, it displays 2 P4 cpu's. What's that all about? I've only got the one installed.

Hyperthreading, one is virtual, it is a feature of newer Pentium 4 processors.

It is a good thing, it speeds things up. (usually)

==>Lazn

 

[0ldman]

Question of the day, did it really help out in Doom 3?

I dropped my 2GHz Athlon XP to 1GHz w/100MHz fsb and it ran just fine. Ti4200 takes the brunt of the load.

 

[freecableguy]

Buget:
Abit AI7 and Intel P4 3.0C (there was a big price drop on the 22nd of August)

Performance:
Abit IC7-MAX3 and Intel 3.2EE

Of course, you are free do make any combination of the above that you wish to.

 

[slowbiz]

Question of the day, did it really help out in Doom 3?

I dropped my 2GHz Athlon XP to 1GHz w/100MHz fsb and it ran just fine. Ti4200 takes the brunt of the load.

The jump from 400 FSB to 800, along with an extra 800 MHz, plus another 512 of ram... it helped quite a bit. I would say the game is how it's supposed to be now. I'm running Doom 3 on high quality at 1024x768 at an average frame rate of about 40 fps.

You should see it my setup run Doom II.