Best Bang For Buck CPU for Epox 8RDA+ Mobo

Kwak · Post by **Kwak** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 4:11 pm

Hello,

I am still using an Epox 8RDA+ motherboard with an outdated Athlon cpu. I would like to upgrade the AMD cpu and continue using this motherboard.

When it comes to hardware compatibility, I am pretty lost. Can someone recommend the 'best bang for the buck' cpu that is compatible with the mobo?

Reason for CPU upgrade: would like to play modern games like Half-Life 2, Quake 2004, and CS

and get faster rendering time for video editing/post production

I appreciate your time! 8)

nitro237 · Post by **nitro237** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 4:17 pm

If you have a version 1 , the fastest you can go up to is a 3000+, but if you have a version 2 , you can go up to a 3200+ . I imagine you would have to flash the bios to run the max in either case.

Here's a link for you that has all the info on your board.

What cpu are you running now and what video card ?

Welcome to PCA

Kwak · Post by **Kwak** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:31 pm

Hello nitro237,

Specs: XP Pro sp2
CPU: Athlon 1200
Harddrive: 7200rpm
Mobo: Epox 8RDA+
Ram: 512mb
GPU: Geforce 2

I will upgrade the videocard (6800GT) along with the cpu. To save money, I like to reuse the mobo and upgrade only the cpu.

Kwak · Post by **Kwak** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:31 pm

I appreciate the pdf link, very helpful!

Kwak · Post by **Kwak** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:46 pm

I appreciate the pdf link!

edit: sorry, double post

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 7:31 pm

i had an older one of those with a 2100 overclocked to 2.2 ghz and it ran fine till the mobo died - i would look for maybe a 2500 or better mobile if the mobo supports it - good overclockers and less voltage strain on the mobo

welcome to PCA!

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:56 pm

I have a 2500+ Barton Laying around here. It hits 3200+ speeds easily on my 8RDA+.. Be willing to let it go for $70 shipped.. These bartons are probably the best processor you'll find next to the mobile athlons.

eGo

wpublic · Post by **wpublic** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:49 pm

i also like the 2500+ i have been running 2 of those @ 3200 speeds for about 18 months (99.9%) uptime, mainly for folding, unless i need to use them for video processing.

the mobile versions are good overclockers also. unlocked multiplier.

one of the reasons the 2500+ bartons are so popular and make good overclockers is because they are 333 FSB as opposed to the 2400+, which is 266.

if you get the 2500+ barton, get some good pc3200 memory and you should get a nice overclock with that board.

Pugsley · Post by **Pugsley** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 12:21 am

Ditto on the 2500 bartons. I had (still do just no ram any more for the rig) a 2500 that would o 3200 all day long for same reasons.

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:07 am

excellent mb, ran a 2500 at 3200 for two years on mine, solid rig

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 6:12 am

KWAK: Welcome to PCA!

The 8RDA+ is a rock solid mobo, but before you commit to upgrading the CPU, you should check for bad capacitors. There were a fair number of those mobos that had defective caps. No sense in upgrading if your caps look like they're about to fail.

You need to look at the largest capacitors which are located very near the CPU. Look for any swelling or leaking (the leak will be a brown goo which - due to the heat of the CPU - may appear more like a brown crud).

Swollen caps will have domed tops while normal ones have flat tops.

Some photos of bad caps here: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=195