Chris wrote:
Could you tell me why the Nforce2 chipsets are better? I've heard
that, actually, and it's good to have the confirmation, just
wondering why
. Thanks for the response, by the way. What's the
difference between the mobile 2500 barton being unlocked and the
multiplier on the retail 2600 version being unlocked? Does that mean
that either the multiplier on the mobile is not unlocked or that the
FSB is not unlocked on the retail 2600? The PC3200 memory is the 400
kind, right? Meaning that both of these boards run with a FSB of
400? I'm trying to make sure I understand my numbers and facts
before I purchase the board. Do the memory slots on different boards
allow different types of memoy? Like out of three slots, all of them
will take 333 but only the first two will take 400? That's how I was
understanding the asus board, and I was wondering if the Nforce2
boards were like that. Well thank you again for the response,
definately will relook the nforce boards now.
One reason the Nforce2/Nforce2 400/Nforce2 Ultra 400 chipsets are better is
the way they allow locking on the PCI and AGP buses. On some chipsets, when
the FSB is raised, the PCI bus increases from nominal 33MHz. This get to
about 36MHz and you start having problems. The Nforce2 fixes this. The AGP
bus also increases in a linear fashion. As well, the Nforce2 Ultra400 has
great onboard sound, dual-channel DDR, 2 NICs and several other features.
Not to say the KT600 is bad, it isn't. The Nforce2 Ultra400 is just better
for the same money. This is the chipset on the two boards I mentioned
earlier.
The Barton 2500+ is designed to run at 1833MHz, with a FSB of 166MHz and a
multiplier of 11. In the _unlocked_ version, you can increase the multiplier
to 12.5 at 166MHz for 2083MHZ, a nice little overclock. You can also raise
the FSB to 200MHz and have the multiplier at 11 for 2200MHz. That's a start.
Most an 2500 will do 2200MHz-same rating as the 3200+ processor. Not bad for
~90 bucks. The locked 2600+ Barton will allow you to raise the front side
bus only, which isn't bad, but it's not as nice as having a unlocked model.
PC3200=DDR400 which runs at 200MHz
PC2700=DDR333 166MHz
PC2100=DDR266 133MHz
While you can mix and match speeds, you can only go as fast as the slowest
module. That, and you want RAM to run "in sync", at the same speed as the
FSB. 200MHz, PC3200, is what you want. If you're sitting on say PC2100, you
can use it. but performance will take hit, compared to a FSB/RAM speed of
166-200MHz.
Sorry, PS - About the memory, I know crucial and Corsair are two of
the top brands.. are there speed differences? I'd definately pay an
extra 20 bucks if one was faster. What about kingston hyperx?
Yes and no. Given an official JEDEC rating of PC3200, the RAM is rated for
200MHz at given timings. Some will do tighter(faster) timings, some won't.
Some will allow 215MHz. All you are guaranteed by PC3200 is 200MHz.PC3500
and up are unofficial speed ratings, but with better quality chips, they can
do speeds of up to 250MHz in the case of Corsair CMX PC4000. Bring /lots/ of
money. If you budget allows for PC3200, Crucial is good and reasonably
priced at $127 for a 512MB DIMM. Kingston HyperX and Corsair might give you
a little more headroom, at a cost premium. Shop around. All three are fine
products.
