Upgrading CPU...affect RAM? 2

[sixstrings4]

Here is my current rig:
AMD XP 2100+
Asus A7V333 motherboard
512 meg pc2100 DDR RAM

This week I'll be upgrading to an Athlon XP 2800+ with 333 FSB. Since my RAM is running at 266 mhz will this cause any problems?

 

[tf1]

Other than not giving you the optimal performance that having 333MHz RAM would produce, no, it will work fine. You just need to make sure that the BIOS settings are correct for both the processor and RAM.

Regards: tf1

 

[paparazi]

Your PC2100 (DDR266) ram is good for XP CPU's with 266fsb, in practice that means upto the rare XP2.6+ (266) or the more common XP2.4+
Your motherboard supports XP's with 333fsb, thats upto the XP3.0+ BUT without a memory upgrade to PC2700(DDR333) or above, your system will be bottlenecked by the slower memory bus.
This will also exclude the new Semprons because they are 333fsb (even if a flash allowed the use of the Sempron)
Martin



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[TonyGroves]

I have a similar question, which shouldn't be out of place in this thread:

My motherboard is an Asus A7N8X-E, which supports up to 400 MHz FSB.
The processor is an Athlon 2600 XP, which apparently supports up to 333 MHz FSB (but I believe there are also 266 MHz models out there - how do I tell which mine is?)
The BIOS is set to use 166MHz FSB.

Does this mean that I can get away with using PC3200 400MHz memory modules, or would I be better off restricting myself to 333MHz?

Thanks.

 

[sixstrings4]

So Martin,

What you are saying is that it will work with my current RAM, but by upgrading all of my RAM to PC2700 I would see another performance increase?

 

[paparazi]

sixstrings4
Yes indeed! your memory basically isn't fast enough to run at the ideal speed for the XP2.8+ (333fsb) CPU.
TonyGroves
Yours is the oposite in that your memory is capable of running faster than the CPU needs.
As the motherboard can run out of sync, having 400mhz memory isn't a restriction at all, indeed it makes sense to have the faster memory because it gives you the chance to fit an XP3200+ (400fsb)at some later stage.
There are four XP2.6+ models out there!
The original Thoughbred core that ran at 2.108mhz but only had a fsb of 266 and 256kb L2 Cache.
Then came the first of the 333fsb XP2.6's also Thorougbred core, slightly slower clock of 2.083mhz still 256kb L2
Then the famed Barton core 333fsb with the lowest clock speed, at just 1.91ghz but with that all important 512mb L2 Cache (long letterbox shaped core)
Lastly the Thornton XP2.6+ same core as the Barton but with half the L2 Cache.
To identify what you have? well if you are posting between 1.91 and 2.083 with a setting of 333fsb you don't have the early 266fsb version.
Best bet is to carry out a google on the core ID numbers. or use a program like sisoftsandra and work it out by looking at clock speed and L2 readings.
Barton core is the most desireable (better OC potential) but at stock speeds the more common Thoroughbred B 333fsb 2.083 version performs identically due to it's higher clock speed versa's the Barton's lower clock but 512kb L2.

ONE LAST NOTE** for anyone out there with a socket A motherboard and contemplating a CPU upgrade? DO IT NOW!!!
XP CPU's are being Phased out!! production has or will finnish soon in favour of the poorer performing Sempron.
GRAB A BARTON CORE XP whilst you still can.
Be careful if you are buying a Sempron! take note of their much slower clock speeds against their perceived rating.
The rating is now a comparisson with Intels CELERON and not the P4 as it used to be.
Martin


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[sixstrings4]

Thanks Martin,
Your info was very helpful!

Will

 

[TonyGroves]

The KDE Info Centre on my ever-useful Knoppix CD tells me that the processor runs at 1913.185 MHz, and the L2 cache is 512kB, which would imply that it has the Barton Core, thus supporting 333MHz FSB.

That was great help; thanks Paparazi!

 

[paparazi]

Nice one Tony lovely jubley Barton 2.6
I recon Barton Core XP's are going to become as rare as moon rocks over the next few months, I wouldn't be surprised to see their prices rise as they get harder to find.
Martin

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