I want to upgrade my computer's CPU and RAM, and I don't know what to get. Right now I have an AMD Athlon 2400+ CPU (1.99GHz). If I upgrade my CPU to one that has a 333MHz FSB, it messes up my plan for upgrading the RAM in my computer. I can use PC3200, PC2700, or PC2100 RAM, but if I get a 333MHz FSB CPU, I can only use PC2100 or PC2700. PC3200 would be pointless because my RAM would get under-clocked. What's the fastest Socket A CPU I can put in my computer? Would RAM or a newer CPU make the most difference in my computer? Should I get the fastest Socket A CPU and get 1 GB of PC2700, or should I get a slower CPU and 1 GB of PC3200? I have a maximum of 2 banks only with PC3200 and PC2700 has a maximum of 4 banks. 3 GB is the maxium amount of RAM I can have.

PC3200 may well be the cheapest, and it will run underclocked just fine. 256 is the bare minimum for XP to run decently, so upgrading to a gig or so would make quite a difference. I wouldn't worry about the fastest Socket A CPU; you could buy a Socket 754 or 939 motherboard and CPU that would outperform a faster Socket A for about the same price as a better Socket A CPU. Since you need more memory, your best performance for the dollar would probably be to go with an AM2 CPU, and DDR2 memory.

Upgrading to another Socket A CPU is a complete waste of money. The fastest you can get is the 3200+ & if you are aware of pricing on those CPUs you'd know they are ridiculously over-priced now. Although the 3200+ comes with twice as much L2 & has a default clock of 200MHz, it is only 200MHz faster @ 2.2GHz over your 2GHz (133MHz) 2400+. I would suggest overclocking your current 2400+ rather than buying another CPU. You do seem to have access to PC3200 memory.

"if I get a 333MHz FSB CPU, I can only use PC2100 or PC2700" If you run PC2100 with a 333FSB CPU, the RAM will bottlenck the system. You'd need at least PC2700, but PC3200 would probably be cheaper. Rather than upgrading your CPU, you'd be better off getting something like this: http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?in... Or this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ... Either setup will blow away a socket A Athlon XP system. And you could probably sell your old board/CPU/256MB for about $40-50 FLATURIN - Hand-to-mouth goodness. It's good!

i'm with jam. I got the msi board from geeks and a 3200+ like he suggested and works great. I had the same board as u. They still sell the board seperate since there combo is out of stock http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?in... ASUS A7V8X Athlon XP 2700+ @ 2.17ghz 1GB DDR 2700 nVidia 128mb FX 5200 WD 80gb SE NEC ND-3500AG DVD R/RW

hey ludedude25, Did you overclock that thing? If not, you should ;-) FLATURIN - Hand-to-mouth goodness. It's good!