I'm debating over which processor to get. I want an XP seires AMD, either 1800 or 2000. Question is, do i really need to spend the extra money and get the xp2000 over the 1800? I mean, the mobo this is going to be going into is an Epox 8kha+, and from what i understand, it has a ton of overclocking features.

Secondly, i have a 250watt power supply on my current system, is this gong to work for this new setup?

Finally, i've never done this before, always bought built systems so i'm not sure of the exact procedure for everything. To reformat my HD, do i just go to DOS and type "format c: /q",? Thats what someone told me it was.

thanks for any help or suggestions.

1) XP 1800+ is 1.53GHz, XP 2000+ is 1.67GHz......actual performance is very close and most people really won't notice the difference.

2) You need at least a 300 Watt power supply, although I'd recommend 350. Antec or Enermax are the recommended brands.

3) If you just want to wipe the drive and you're going to be installing a new OS from scratch, then yes, "format C: /q" will work. Basically all that does is clear the FAT.


I'm too tired to put any more detail than that. Hope that helps....

Well, what are you installing? XP, for instance, despite the problems it had on the system I installed, did have the nice feature of offering to let me wipe the drive I was installing on (which I took it up on).

Too bad the owner of the system now claims after his screen is blanked, it no longer unblanks.

As others have said, the difference is minimal between the two processors, you probably won't be able to tell unless your main hobby is comparing QuakeIII frames per seccond with your friends.

As to formating, you may not even need to reformat if you have things you don't want to loose. On the other hand, reformating once a year with windows is a great way to speed things up, so it's highly recomened. Just be warned that you need to reinstall everything once you format your hard drive, and now might be a good time to partition it into system and data sections.

If you've never done it before, hopefully you've got a friend or someone who can give you adivce once you've got everything in pices and it won't boot.

Matthew

I have a question about memory. Is there gonna be a huge difference between PC2700 and PC2100 memory w/ an amd xp 1800 processor. If so, this would require me to get a completely different motherbaord. I just want to make sure that i get the right stuff the first time.

thakns

The memory speed isn't going to make a difference if you're not overclocking the bus speed. Get at least PC2100. The 333MHz (PC2700) spec isn't complete yet AFAIK, so memory you buy over PC2100 is just highly overclockable chips.

are all power supplies the same? I need to get a 300 watt power supply apparantly.

Some are better than others. I would go with a 350 watt for your system like ricin recommended. Antec's are very good, I have one in my system that has a dual fan and I am very happy with it.

I wouldn't buy anything under 300 for an Athlon system. I have an Enhance 300W supply lying around somewhere (among others). It is on the AMD Approved list.

I just picked up an Antec power supply, and damn is that thing loud.

I should probably start an off-topic thread as to silencing pc's.
Think I will.