32 or 64 bit
WinCustomize Forums
If I get the urge to use W7 or get bored, do I cannabilise my present rig or build a new one with 64 bit? In addition, apart from mb, memory, power supply etc, what sort of cpu do I need? Many thanks on any guidance given.
You probably already have a 64bit CPU, download the Windows 7 Advisory Tool HERE and run it. Windows 7 runs on a lot less than Vista. However retail therapy is good for you too. 
This is your excuse to buy a new computer - go for it - i use to rebuild , but it's not really worth it anymore - new ones are to cheap now - and all is ready to go with 7 ........ 7 did load right up on my present machine didn't have to make any changes to it ... either way 7 is a good thing ....
AMD is a very good cpu and cheaper than Intel. Also if you plan on running a x64 rig then get an x64 cpu chip, also make sure you have enough memory and a decent ps.
It would depend on how old your present machine is, as to whether or not it is worth upgrading. If older than 4 -5 years, I would go with building a new system. Also, some motherboards can not be upgraded on. For example, you can no longer buy a new CPU for a 939 socket mobo, so it would be wise to check on availability and cost for all parts (CPU/RAM/GPU, etc) for your current mobo... as in older SD and DDR1 RAM is more expensive than the much newer DDR2 & DDR3 RAM.
The other consideration when upgrading is the power supply. Often the old PSU is not adequate and needs to be replaced, so at the end of the day it may be more economical to just build a new machine.
Having said that, Windows 7 is nowhere near as resource hungry as Vista and it will run well on lower end PC's, whereas Vista caused even some mid to upper range PC's to struggle. I ran Win7 Ultimate x64 RC on a Pentium 4 @ 2.8ghz with 2gb DDR 400 for a while and it performed quite well... not superbly, perhaps, but certainly well enough for average home use.
In conclusion, I would recommend going with Win 7 x64. The driver support for Win7 is excellent and it will run just about any program you can throw at it, not to mention that it utilises hardware better and can access more than 4gb RAM, which is handy when multi-tasking.
Time for new system
Prebuilt or build your own is your next move.
Your existing computer Pentium 4 system from 2002 uses the Socket 478 infrastructure. A 2.66GHz Pentium 4 as your signature states, uses a 533MHz Front Side Bus. RDRAM also indicates the Intel 850 or 850E chipset.
According to Processor Finder
the fastest Pentium 4 to fit into this system architecture is the 3.06GHz Pentium 4. The faster Pentium 4s moved onto an 800MHz FSB which your motherboard simply won't support.
Trying to hunt down an old socket 478 processor is silly. 2.66 -> 3.06 isn't much of an upgrade anyway. RDRAM is insanely expensive (no one makes it anymore) making that a rather expensive upgrade. The board will probably max out at 1GB of ram too, which isn't a lot. Finding AGP video cards isn't difficult, but they've been superseded by PCI Express for years now.
When you can get the guts of a very reasonable machine from Newegg for $190, I just don't see the point in investing both time and money into such an old system.
I went to Newegg and found that deal in about thirty seconds so I'll use it as an example, though prices in the UK will not be as generous.
Add in a cheap SATA hard disk and optical drive and you've got a terrific budget system with good performance and tons of upgrade options. Easily move from the 2GB ram, to 4GB or 6GB later. The PCIe slots ensures you can put a discrete graphics card in the system if you want to. The motherboard easily supports all of AMD's quad core CPUs. There are plenty of SATA ports on the motherboard for accommodating more hard disks etc.
With that kind of value available, I just don't see any point in trying to upgrade that old P4 system. Even if you have to save your money for a while longer you'll be much, much happier with the final result
Many thanks to Ausvet, AzDude, Bushman & stakers for your sage advice. The only reasons that I shall probably build one is that anything I put together, I can dismantle or adjust, it will have media and not a restore function and it keeps me from cleaning duties with you know who!
My only debate left is do I keep the original rig as a standby or re-use the case - a CoolerMaster Black Widow.
"For example, you can no longer buy a new CPU for a 939 socket mobo"
Unless you check Ebay...
Keep it as a backup....[mine's the 3gig P4 with 800 fsb....runs win7 32 just fine....even gets an experience score of 4-something...and that's with an AGP graphic card....;)
The new machine is a 'wee bit' faster/better...;)
Ebay, huh! A couple of years back I sought high and low for 939 socket CPU's and mobos without success. I have an AMD Athlon x2 3200 939 socket CPU and needed a new mobo when mine went guts up... couldn't get one anywhere here in Oz. It was around the time of the AM2 socket and nobody stocked them them anymore, so I gave up and went AM2.
Asrock have since put out a 939 socket board, but they're as rare as hens teeth here in Oz and hard to get, so why would I bother with an old, under-powered dual core now I have a Phenom II x4 920.
Yes, keeping a backup rig can be beneficial... for guests or if and when (heaven forbid) you experience issues with the new one,
1. New kit has been ordered which include 2 x 500 GB HDD.
2. Would it be better to run them under Raid 0 or 1 with 3 or 4 partitions, or as 2 separate drives?
3. Has anyone any strong thoughts on moving to Office 2007 or possibly 2010? At the moment I am quite happy with 2003.
4. How does one move WB etc from an XP backup to Windows 7, 64 bit?
5. When installing the new OS, do I attach peripherals and let Win 7 sort it out, or visit the appropriate websites to obtain what is needed?
Sorry about the long list, but while I was typing…………..
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