AMD Athlon XP 3000+ Retro Build

[Keullo-e]

My Socket A stockpile has 2x Athlon 1GHz*, Duron 1.2GHz, Sempron 2200+, Athlon XP 2100+, 2400+ and 2700+.
AGP GPU stockpile has 9700 Pro, X800 Pro, 2x 6600 GT, 7600 GS.

* other of those has the legendary overclocker AXIA core. In fact I have a spare case which I could use for a Socket A rig..

 

[theFOoL]

OP here the pc specs from HWiNFO32

Here's the MB CPU Support LINK

 

[INSTG8R]

I have an Opty 170 and an ABit AT8-32X I’ve always wanted to rebuild. I need to go dumpster diving for a case for it.

 

[eidairaman1]

I have an Opty 170 and an ABit AT8-32X I’ve always wanted to rebuild. I need to go dumpster diving for a case for it.

That a nforce too?

 

[Keullo-e]

That a nforce too?

ATI/AMD 580X according to google.

 

[theFOoL]

Wasn't nforce known for OC'Ing? Or was that the opposite..?

 

[INSTG8R]

That a nforce too?

Oh no full on ATI chipset actually had 2x16 slots hence the 32X
https://hothardware.com/news/abit-launches-at8-32x-motherboard

 

[storm-chaser]

My second build was an athlon XP 3000+ too. First was a 2200+. Made the mistake of putting in a Geforce FX 5900 instead of a 9700 pro. Heck, I might still have that system somewhere.

I am on the hunt for a good graphics card. Can you recommend something here? What's the best card (8X agp) available for a reasonable price?

 

[Keullo-e]

I am on the hunt for a good graphics card. Can you recommend something here? What's the best card (8X agp) available for a reasonable price?

HD 3850 is the best and with good luck, they aren't THAT expensive. HD 4650 was the last AGP card, somewhat slower than HD 3850, but for an AGP card, it's still damn fast.

 

[INSTG8R]

The last “strong” AGP ATI was the 3870 not sure about Nvidia

 

[storm-chaser]

The last “strong” AGP ATI was the 3870 not sure about Nvidia

1650
Nothing on ebay right now for the 3870... what do you guys think of the ATi Radeon X1650 Pro 512MB? Dual DVI, seems like a decent card and I can get one for $25 - $30.

 

[INSTG8R]

1650
Nothing on ebay right now for the 3870... what do you guys think of the ATi Radeon X1650 Pro 512MB? Dual DVI, seems like a decent card and I can get one for $25 - $30.

Well it was the midrange of the line with the 1800/1900 at the top. I have an X1900XTX Master Card that was in Crossfire in that Opty Rig. Sadly it’s PCIE or I’d just send it to you

Back when it was new and I was crazy..

https://www.techpowerup.com/gallery/471/fresh-new-hell-2-wet-redux

 

[Basard]

OMFG! That cooler is SERIOUS!!

AND three DIMM slots!!

Totally jeaslous.

 

[theFOoL]

I think NVidia last agp was the 7900 series

 

[Keullo-e]

The last “strong” AGP ATI was the 3870 not sure about Nvidia

HD 3870 AGP never came for customers. HD 3850 came.

I think NVidia last agp was the 7900 series

Yep, Gainward's 7800 GS+ 512MB with full 24 pipeline G71 was the fastest. There was also 7950 GT AGP, but they're about the same expect the model number.

1650
Nothing on ebay right now for the 3870... what do you guys think of the ATi Radeon X1650 Pro 512MB? Dual DVI, seems like a decent card and I can get one for $25 - $30.

Don't bother, those are slow. Gets butt kicked by 6800 GT and older high-end cards.

 

[Mr.Scott]

^^^ Exactly

 

[stinger608]

Yep, my case is old and heavy but should get the job done. Here is one, almost identical except my case does NOT have the see through side panel.

View attachment 110463

Got that exact same case without the side window as well!!!!! I currently have a 939 system put together in it, but I'm seriously considering taking it all apart and putting one of the Socket A systems that I have in it.
Man, you talk about a bullet proof case!!!!!!!

You of course know, we are all going to want pictures.

 

[lexluthermiester]

2) Just purchased a like new Asus A7N8X Deluxe board (original board was an Asus A7N8X)

Very nice board!

3) Purchased the last remaining massive 80mm masscool CPU cooler off Amazon. Original cooler was the same, a Masscool 5f394b1l3g

Don't know how eager you are to stay perfectly authentic, but if it were me, I'd go with something a bit more modern, if you can.

6) I have a decent case and only thing left to find is a good video card

There are plenty of great choices for that kinda of board from both ATI and Nvidia. The GF 7950GT was the best NVidia made AGP card and the HD 3850 was the best AGP Radeon made. It might be easier to find Slightly lesser cards though.

8) I plan on running Windows 7 if at all possible

While that's a good choice, XP would be greatly better for such a system. Most games and programs that run well on that system are generally more compatible with XP.

Yep, Gainward's 7800 GS+ 512MB with full 24 pipeline G71 was the fastest. There was also 7950 GT AGP, but they're about the same expect the model number.

Not true. The 7800GS has 16 shader cores running at 375mhz whereas the 7950GT has 24 cores running at 550mhz. The performance difference is a big one.

Don't bother, those are slow. Gets butt kicked by 6800 GT and older high-end cards.

Very true!

 

[Keullo-e]

I'd not go with W7 with a Socket A system. XP is solid for those.

Damn, I need also get a better S462 MB, my Asrock K7VT4A Pro isn't that great.. can't even install WXP from USB drive, dammit. It just freezes, with stock bios settings.. and it would need a floppy to update bios, things are difficult..

 

[storm-chaser]

Don't know how eager you are to stay perfectly authentic, but if it were me, I'd go with something a bit more modern, if you can...
….It might be easier to find Slightly lesser cards though....
…..While that's a good choice, XP would be greatly better for such a system. Most games and programs that run well on that system are generally more compatible with XP.

Re: CPU COOLER
-The masscool solution is a beast of a cooler (with an 80mm fan) and was one of the best in it's day for keeping even an XP 3200+ running nice and cool. I think it will serve my purposes to a tee. Especially since I am only aiming for a lite OC in the 5 to 10 % range, if that is even possible given my hardware configuration.

RE: VIDEO CARD
-Slightly lesser card it's going to be. I'll be playing half-life and quake II occasionally, so it doesn't need to be a powerhouse solution. I think the original card I had back in the day was an ATi Xpert 2000...

RE: OS Choice
-I am going to give windows 7 a best effort try. I'd really like the platform updates and UI. But we shall see. If I can't find drivers for whatever reason I will revert back to Windows XP. Not sure what web browser I'll be using...

You of course know, we are all going to want pictures.

Trust me, when I get parts, you guys will get pics

 

[Keullo-e]

Heeey now when I think about it, I had a similar cooler like your Masscool cooler when I had my Thunderbird 1000 @ 1404MHz. It had a 60mm fan though, but I got an adapter which allowed using a 80mm fan. Switching from that 5000rpm 60mm fan to 2000rpm 80mm be quiet! fan was blessing for my ears.. Nexus AXP-3200 was also similar, and had a quiet fan already.

I'd say grab a 6600 GT or Radeon 9800 Pro/XT for GPU. Those are simply legendary AGP cards, almost everyone who couldn't afford the 6800/X800 high-end models, had those in 2005.

e: I was even more poor, I had a GF4 Ti 4200 in 2005, and a 9700 Pro in 2006.

 

[storm-chaser]

Man, you talk about a bullet proof case!!!!!!!

Right!! I think it's the only case rated to survive something like the Chernobyl disaster and come out shining.

 

[eidairaman1]

The last “strong” AGP ATI was the 3870 not sure about Nvidia

There was a 3870 AGP?

I thought it was 3850 and 4670.

 

[INSTG8R]

There was a 3870 AGP?

I thought it was 3850 and 4670.

Yeah there was a 3870 but it was PCI-E, my bad...

 

[RichF]

There was a 3870 AGP?

I thought it was 3850 and 4670.

https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-hd-3870-agp.c3326

https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/computex-2008-day-3-the-man-with-the-hammer,4.html