Cpu Speed Cache Fsb

[Twist3r]

Say I got a AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor
and I overclocked it, would the 333 FSB be good enough for top of the line games?
Doom 3 Half Life 2 ect... or should I find a prossesor with 400 FSB or more?

and another question, would I have to get DDR333 if I got that prossesor or could I get DDR400? and is DDR333 fast enough for good games?

Im planning on building a computer this summer and I need your advice. :D

This is a very rough estimate of my budget
Case (50)
Mobo (75)
CPU (85)
Ram (80)
video card (200)
hard drive (65)
cdrw/dvd I all ready have

Like I said befor thats a very rough estimate so numbers will bend.

[tesco]

If you overclock that chip, most liekly you will be overclocking the FSB, making the chip run at faster speeds.

to get to 3200+ speeds, you gotta put the fsb to 400mhz. :)

[Twist3r]

:D :D Awsome!!!! this will be a good CPU for gaming :D :D :01:

[tesco]

Originally posted by Twister@28 June 2004 - 19:41
:D :D Awsome!!!! this will be a good CPU for gaming :D :D :01:
yup :D

have fun with your new computer. :)

btw, what video card are you getting? just wondering, since video card is very important for a good gaming computer...

[Twist3r]

radeon 9600 XT or radeon 9800

I dont have enough for everything yet, just the case, the mobo and maybe the CPU :)

[tesco]

Originally posted by Twister@28 June 2004 - 19:54
radeon 9600 XT or radeon 9800

I dont have enough for everything yet, just the case, the mobo and maybe the CPU :)
good choice, those vidoe cards can handle todays games very well. :)

[bigdawgfoxx]

Get the 9800Pro with a 2500XP and raise the FSB to 400Mhz. Get some DDR400 ram too.

[RGX]

Originally posted by bigdawgfoxx@29 June 2004 - 01:38
Get the 9800Pro with a 2500XP and raise the FSB to 400Mhz. Get some DDR400 ram too.
Bigdawg commands...

[Storm]

if you're gonna OC the comp via the FSB, you HAVE to get DDR400, else you'll prolly fry your RAM

[tesco]

Originally posted by Storm@29 June 2004 - 08:41
if you're gonna OC the comp via the FSB, you HAVE to get DDR400, else you'll prolly fry your RAM
probably won't fry the ram, if anything the computer just won't boot becuase of the ram running at too high a speed, and lowering the fsb will probably make booting work again. ;)

[haha21]

whats the multiplier to get 400FSB with amd 2500?
133? 166?

[Amarjit]

If having the fastest RAM is your concern, I wouldn't opt for an Athlon XP. This is on the basis that the FSB, for the 2500+, runs at a mere 333MHz. Even when overclocked, it will operate at 400MHz (3.2GB/s, half of the current crop of CPUs).

If you wish for your RAM to function in dual-channel mode, you would have to have your RAM operating at pathetic PC1600 speeds to utilise the available bandwidth to its full potential. Otherwise, if, for instance, you purchased PC3200 RAM (instead of PC1600 - 200MHz) you would find yourself with severe bottleneck available, which would be an utter waste of cash.

So, in conclusion, if you are looking to purchase 400MHz+ RAM, to be run in dual-channel, buy a Pentium 4 or Athlon 64/FX (which run at 1.6GHz HyperTransport).

333MHz FSB = 2664MB/s or 166.5MHz DC RAM
400MHz FSB = 3200MB/s or 200MHz DC RAM
800MHz FSB = 6400MB/s or 400MHz DC RAM (the best option, as the bandwidth available can be utilised fully, by PC3200 RAM operating in dual-channel).

[tesco]

Originally posted by haha21@29 June 2004 - 13:41
whats the multiplier to get 400FSB with amd 2500?
133? 166?
huh? fsb and multiplier have nothing to do with eachother.

For your knowledge, here is the multiplirer and fsb of the 2500+ and 3200+:

2500+
multiplier: 11x
FSB: 166mhz (333mhz effective)

3200+
multiplier: 11x
FSB: 200mhz (400mhz effective)


notice anything? the multiplier's are the same...only difference between the two processors is the FSB speed. Upping the fsb to 400mhz makes it run 3200+ speeds :D

[Twist3r]

The Athlon 64 would be real nice, but its alot more money, plus you need a more spendy mobo too :blink:
If I want on such a low budget I would get it, but right now its about getting all the bang I can get with my buck!

[Twist3r]

Here are some numbers I came up with:


ASUS Athlon 64 mobo: $111.00
Athlon 64 CPU: $173.00
_______________________

Athlon XP 2500+: $80.00
Asus Athon socket A: $76.00

I realize a Athlon 64 would KICK ASS but I just cant offord it, Im more interested in a expensive video card more a high end CPU and Mobo.

So here is currently my list all currancy is US:

ABIT "NF7-S" nForce2 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU
Link (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-166&depa=1)
$85

AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor
Link (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-379&depa=1)
$80

Kingmax 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200
Link (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-156-006&depa=1)
$81

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP
Link (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-281&depa=1)
$214

The case, im not sure about, one that comes with a 420 watt or more power supply

I allready have a DVD drive im going to put in there.

any cheap 80 gigabyte 7200 rpm 8mb cache will work, I dont mind noise :lol:

And thats about it :D

[bigdawgfoxx]

Dont get a K6 Via chipset....get an nForce2. Get the Asus A7N8X if you want an asus board.

[Twist3r]

k updated it by adding Asus A7N8X :D feedback is welcome! :D

[clocker]

OK, you asked for it.

I have owned both the Asus A7N8X-Deluxe (rev2) and the ABIT NF7-S.

I prefer the ABIT.
Same nForce 2 chipset and sound, better OC capability and a few more features.
Right around the same price, I believe.

You should check it out.


Sorry Dawg.

[bigdawgfoxx]

Dont be sorry, I respect your addition just as much as my own. I thought he might be an Asus fan or something so I said if he wants an asus board.

Doesnt the ABIT also come with Sata/raid or is that just the rev 2 or what?

I just love my Asus board for its extreme reliablility...Ive never had a problem with it.

[clocker]

Both the Asus (deluxe version) and the ABIT come with SATARaid.
The Abit has one more USB header than the Asus, it uses the Intel 4 pin power connector so the chip has it's own power feed ( supposedly more stable core voltage), the I/O panel has extra audio outlets so you can hook 5.1 sound into it without using the mic/line in ports AND it has about a million BIOSs available.

I liked my Asus just fine, I just like the Abit abit more (get it?).

[Twist3r]

Thanks for that tip, I too read through the specs of the ABIT board and found it better, but 15 dollers more ;)
edit: the 5.1 audio was the biggest thing i liked :D

heres the updated list

So here is currently my list all currancy is US:

ABIT "NF7-S" nForce2 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU
Link (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-166&depa=1)
$85

AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor
Link (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-379&depa=1)
$80

Kingmax 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200
Link (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-156-006&depa=1)
$81

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP
Link (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-281&depa=1)
$214

[Super Dude]

Excellent choices.:)

What about the Case and PSU?

[bigdawgfoxx]

now THAT sounds good :D

[Twist3r]

Finding a case that will suit my needs is hard! :frusty:

Newegg says the mobo has 6x USB2.0 (Rear 2)
so thats 2 USB ports in back and 4 in front, also (clocker is going to hate this), but a case that comes with a power supply would be nice :) and a fan in back and a fan in side would be cool :D

im still searching if you guys stumble apoin anything good please post it :)

edit: hows this look?

Image Resized
Image Resized
[img]http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/11-145-018-17.JPG' width='200' height='120' border='0' alt='click for full size view'> (http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/11-145-018-17.JPG)

Drive Bays: 5.25" x 4/0, 3.5" x 2/4 (external/internal)
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: USB2.0 x2, Audio, FireWire
Power Supply: 400w
Cooling System: 1X 80mm LED case fan included
Motherboard Compatibility: ATX

Link (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-145-018&depa=1)

[Abe]

Have you read the reviews on that motherboard(nf7-s) It seemed a group of people had problems with it. Just a note.

[Super Dude]

Twister,

First it was Abe, now you.I noticed that PoSMax case with it's special 400Watt POS included is attracting you guys like flies to rubbish.

Read this, (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=252752)
And this. (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=304329)

Get a case with good air ventilation.Ask Clocker and the others for more information about that.

For the PSU, I'd recommend a Fortron 530 Watt. (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-968&depa=0)You'll get a free newegg T-shirt when you buy that.Woohoo.

[clocker]

Interesting case, I've never seen it.
Have you read the reviews?
Here is the first line of the first review ( posted on Newegg's own site, no less...)
"This case is a piece of crap, The lighting effects look cool but I had to RMA this case 3 times due to a faulty PSU. This is not newegg's fault its the manufacturer powmax. I would skip this case an... See complete review>".

Not terribly promising, but do as you see fit.
Clocker certainly won't "hate it", but he reserves the right to gloat down the line.

[Storm]

Originally posted by Twister+30 June 2004 - 06:27--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Twister &#064; 30 June 2004 - 06:27)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Newegg says the mobo has 6x USB2.0 (Rear 2)
so thats 2 USB ports in back and 4 in front[/b]

<!--QuoteBegin-Twister@30 June 2004 - 06:27
Image Resized
<a href=&#39;http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/11-145-018-17.JPG&#39; (http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/11-145-018-17.JPG) target=&#39;image&#39;>Image Resized
[img]http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/11-145-018-17.JPG' width='200' height='120' border='0' alt='click for full size view'> ('http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/11-145-018-17.JPG')</a>

Drive Bays: 5.25" x 4/0, 3.5" x 2/4 (external/internal)
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: USB2.0 x2, Audio, FireWire
Power Supply: 400w
Cooling System: 1X 80mm LED case fan included
Motherboard Compatibility: ATX

Link (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-145-018&depa=1)[/quote]

doesnt that seem usefull ;)
4x front USB sounds nice, but hardly any case supports it :(

and if you really want good audio, dont get the onboard crap, get a real sound card (no matter how good ur onboard is, there is always a reason those things are still made on separate cards ;))

[Twist3r]

Abe Posted on 30 June 2004 - 07:38
Have you read the reviews on that motherboard(nf7-s) It seemed a group of people had problems with it. Just a note.


Yes indeed I have, a few have had some bad experiances with it, and others have had good experiances with it including Clocker. I am still thinking about going back to the ASUS board to save some money sence 75% of the time I will be using headphones not speakers.


Super Dude Posted on 30 June 2004 - 07:44
For the PSU, I&#39;d recommend a Fortron 530 Watt.You&#39;ll get a free newegg T-shirt when you buy that.Woohoo.

That is a very nice PSU, but im not sure if I can fit it in the budget yet, what I might do is buy a Case/350W PSU for 30 or so dollers, and use the PSU and I wont overclock untill I get a good PSU like Fortron 530 Watt.


Storm Posted on 30 June 2004 - 12:29
and if you really want good audio, dont get the onboard crap, get a real sound card (no matter how good ur onboard is, there is always a reason those things are still made on separate cards

Agan what I might end up doing is go back to the ASUS board sence I just use headphones most of the time anyway, at first the 5.1 sounded AWSOME like I had to have it then i realized I would have to buy good speakers and they wouldn&#39;t get much use.


clocker Posted on 30 June 2004 - 07:52
Have you read the reviews?
Here is the first line of the first review ( posted on Newegg&#39;s own site, no less...)
"This case is a piece of crap, The lighting effects look cool but I had to RMA this case 3 times due to a faulty PSU. This is not newegg&#39;s fault its the manufacturer powmax. I would skip this case an... See complete review>".

Not terribly promising, but do as you see fit.
Clocker certainly won&#39;t "hate it", but he reserves the right to gloat down the line.


Yes now that I take the time to read them, they are pretty bad :o I was too buisy looking at the pictures :lol:

[clocker]

Originally posted by Storm@30 June 2004 - 04:29


and if you really want good audio, dont get the onboard crap, get a real sound card (no matter how good ur onboard is, there is always a reason those things are still made on separate cards ;))
Storm,
Most reviews of the SoundStorm on-board sound ( both the Asus and the ABIT have it) say that it is as good as almost any PCI card.
I suppose that a Audigy Platinum wold be better, but by how much and at what cost?