I've got a P4-1.8 system which put together a few years ago, and it's held up pretty good, but it's starting to show it's age to some degree.
Towards the end of last year I decided that I would build a new system once PCI-E had established itself, and wasn't commanding a premium for parts. I notice that more and more parts are coming out supporting it (mobos and graphic cards, natch), so I'm starting to figure out whether or not now is the time to build.
I don't *need* to upgrade now, but I do want to put together a file server for my home LAN fairly soon (I really need to get a regular backup routine going), and I was thinking the P4-1.8 would probably do a good job at it.
So the question is, given my situation, would you go ahead and build now or wait for another 3-9 months? Are PCI-E parts significantly more than their AGP counterparts at this point, such that it would be worth waiting for the prices to drop?
Time to build?
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Defiant
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Re: Time to build?
I had to recently deal with the question of upgrading too - although with a 900mhz system, I had less of a choice to make.
When I was looking for a system to buy, I wanted a system that would support upgradibility options easily, and would handle video editing nicely. So I looked at the LGA775 Pentium 4 motherboards, which support PCi-Express 16, DDR2 memory (allowing me to go from sdram to ddr2 while skipping ddr entirely) and SATA hard drives. I also wanted a system that would support upgrading to a better CPU in 2-3 years time.
Unfortunately, the last thing couldn't be met, because Intel recently made the decision to likely make the 3.8Ghz P4 the last of the Pentium 4 line, and concentrate on dual core processors, probably out later this year. Sigh.
Of course, you could go with an AMD board, if you're not interested in DDR2 memory. (AMD won't support it till next year, IIRC)
I would probably wait another year. but then I can live without the latest games. Truely, though, I think it depends on how you intend to use the system, or rather, upgrade it.So the question is, given my situation, would you go ahead and build now or wait for another 3-9 months?
When I was looking for a system to buy, I wanted a system that would support upgradibility options easily, and would handle video editing nicely. So I looked at the LGA775 Pentium 4 motherboards, which support PCi-Express 16, DDR2 memory (allowing me to go from sdram to ddr2 while skipping ddr entirely) and SATA hard drives. I also wanted a system that would support upgrading to a better CPU in 2-3 years time.
Unfortunately, the last thing couldn't be met, because Intel recently made the decision to likely make the 3.8Ghz P4 the last of the Pentium 4 line, and concentrate on dual core processors, probably out later this year. Sigh.
Of course, you could go with an AMD board, if you're not interested in DDR2 memory. (AMD won't support it till next year, IIRC)
When I compared he x600 with a 9600, the 9600 were maybe 10-30$ cheaper, IIRC. Higher end cards might not be so close, though. Of course, some motherboards support both AGP and PCI-Ex16, so you could use your current AGP card and move to PCI Express later.Are PCI-E parts significantly more than their AGP counterparts at this point, such that it would be worth waiting for the prices to drop?
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Defiant
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Maybe I came accross a bit too much negative with regard to upgrading. I'm someone who likes to squeeze out as much as I can from a computer.
Dual-core processors may or may not be something worth waiting for. My limited understanding about them is that they would be better for some tasks than others.
And, it you don't think you'll be upgrading the CPU on the motherboard, there's probably no reason not to upgrade now.
Dual-core processors may or may not be something worth waiting for. My limited understanding about them is that they would be better for some tasks than others.
And, it you don't think you'll be upgrading the CPU on the motherboard, there's probably no reason not to upgrade now.
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EvilHomer3k
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If you're looking to buy a P4, you might wait a while. PCI-E with SLI capability is still expensive for P4's. If you are willing to do an AGP solution, there isn't much reason to wait. AGP will be around for a while, yet. Heck, you can buy 5700LE's in PCI format still today.
If you're looking at AMD, there isn't much reason not to upgrade now. The nForce 4 chipset was just released and supports pci-e. It is unlikely that AMD will support DDR2 for a while since the memory controller is integrated into the cpu. The socket 939 chipset should be around for a while, too.
If you're looking at AMD, there isn't much reason not to upgrade now. The nForce 4 chipset was just released and supports pci-e. It is unlikely that AMD will support DDR2 for a while since the memory controller is integrated into the cpu. The socket 939 chipset should be around for a while, too.
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Gedd
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I'll most likely wait at this point. I'd want to go Intel again, but I won't be going for SLI (don't really need it, nor do I want to spend the cash for it).
I really want to go with a mobo that's going to support PCI-e and SATA, just to make it a little more futureproof. This system will need to last me another another 2-3 (closer to 3) years, and I'd expect a lot of the parts coming out in the next year or two will be transitioned to PCI-e.
I really want to go with a mobo that's going to support PCI-e and SATA, just to make it a little more futureproof. This system will need to last me another another 2-3 (closer to 3) years, and I'd expect a lot of the parts coming out in the next year or two will be transitioned to PCI-e.