Greetings, I currently have the Amd Athlon Xp 2400+ T-Breed 266 fsb and 256 L2 cache. My mobo is the Ecs K7S5A Pro, Chipset: SiS735. (Note: I know that motherboard isnt the best but i was a first time computer builder at the time and didnt want to take risks buying an expensive model) Anyways I would like to buy a new mobo preferably the Asus A7N8X-X AMD nForce2 400 SocketA 3DDR ATA133 USB 2.0 8x AGP ATX. Since I am going to buy the new mobo and got couple of dollars to spend on the side I was wondering wheater to upgrade to the Amd Athlon XP 2500+ Barton Core 333 fsb and 512 L2 cache or the Athlon Xp 2600+ Barton Core 333 fsb and also 512 L2 cache. First off will I see a greater performance and speed wise etc. from my Amd Athlon Xp 2400+. Second will I need to perchase a better heatsink if I decide to buy one of the two Barton types. I have the original heatsink that came with my 2400+ and it keeps it well under 35 degrees celcius but I hear that the Barton Core processors genrate a great amount of heat and the heatsinks included arent that great. I am open to any other commments regarding cpu's and mobos etc. I thank you in advanced

ask this in the OC forum. see if you can confuse them. you certainly confused me.

Actually, I'd be surprised if you noticed much performance boost going from the 2400+ to the 2600+, and your 133/266Mhz memory will take a bite out of that. Your temps on the new processor will probably be acceptable with your current fan/heatsink.

I just read today on this forum that the new 2600 come locked, but there are still somein the channel that are unlocked. You may want to ask at the OC forum as suggested. If you can get an unlocked processor, it may be worth the difference, because I believe they may run faster without any special cooling at stock voltages. As was mentioned, your memory is going to hold you back. If you aren't going to upgrade the memory I would stay with the 2400. You may also ask at in the OC forum about running your 2400 at 333. I think it is possible. You may have to modify some bridges on the chip.