AMD athlon xp 2600+

[Jada]

Hello. I have just recently brought and AMD athlon barton core 2600+ processor with a FSB of 333mhz with a albatron kx600 pro mother board. I have one stick of pc2100 266mhz ddr ram at 256mb. I noticed that when browsing around the bios and downloading a cpu information program called Belarc that the FSB of my athlon xp2600+ was listed at 166mhz both from belarc and the bios. I went to my bios in the cpu frequency area and I hit enter to see the other option that I could set the fsb of the processor it was only able to reach 200mhz but if I set it at 200mhz the system will not start. The albatron kx600 pro supports FSB speeds up to 400mhz I upgraded the bios to the latest version and still no change. I would like to know if this could cause the processor to be damaged in anyway. I dont think I installed the cpu wrong or I would not be writing this post. I had a celeron 850mhz with a 66/100 FSB and I am noticing little difference in the performance increase there is some performance increase but barely. I would think that the AMD processor had a little more muscle. I am running the latest version of the phoniex bios. Any help will be greatly appreaciated.

 

[endyen]

It's all smoke and mirrors these days. DDR is double data rate. Your pc2100 is called 266 mhz ram, but it only runs on a 133 fsb. Your xp2600+ runs at 2100+ on a 166 fsb. So that means you should be using pc2700/ DDR333. Simple right? Yah ok so it's bs. Truth is, you should use ddr 333, but that is only a small part of your problem. Give us some more info on your system and run a few benchmarks to show how poorly your system is now.

 

[pat]

your cpu fsb is 166mhz ddr which run like a 333 mhz. your memory is not 266 mhz...it is 133mhz ddr. so your memory is not able to follow your cpu. putting the fsb at 200mhz means 400mhz ddr.

I dont know what is the operating frequency of the 2600+, so I will explain you with a 2500+, which run at 1833Ghz. 1833GHz is 11 x 166mhz(333ddr) so bumping the fsb at 200 means 11x200 which give you 2200mhz. this is called overclocking. To run a cpu at this speed, maybe you'll need to bump the vcore and add better cooling. So if you are not familiar with that, stay safe.

My advice is to buy faster memory. pc2700(ddr333) is what will make you cpu run in sync with your memory, which give you a faster system.



-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!

 

[Jada]

Wanted to thank you guys for the detailed information post. I feel like I wasted money on the 256mb ram I brought. I now know to buy faster memory to match the cpu. It might not be the greatest processor but I knew it should be able to handle more instructions than my older celeron. But if you really want to know the rest of my system specs. 20gb maxtor hard disk 2mb cache buffer 7200rpm. 16mb ati xpert graphics card (stop laughing) Albatron kx600 pro mother board. You guys really helped me out to understand how the processor and the memory work together. Thanx allot for the response. Time to go get some pc2700 memnory.PEACE

 

[pat]

you see, the graphic card is holding back your cpu. A computer is as fas as it's slowest part. So, if the system is always waiting for either the memory or the video card, then that why you didnt notice that much difference with your old system. Your cpu is very good. your mobo , even if I dont know that brand should be good too. the memory is not. The hard drive is ok. but the video card is very bad. I dont know about your budget, but upgrade to a better video card too. Then you will feel the difference. something like an ATI radeon 9000 serie(depending of your budget) or an equivalent in nvidia

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!

 

[gobeavers]

He doesnt need all that graphics power if hes not gaming, he could spend the money on a better hard drive, or something else. Do you game Jada?

Anxiously awaiting prescott....is it here yet?

 

[pat]

I mean something like a radeon 9000 or 9200. these are cheap video card and wont slow down his system. A bigger hard drive will help, for sure, but I was talking about performance. man..16 meg graphic card...only to save his eyes that would be a good move!

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!

 

[endyen]

What do you use your computer for? What is it not fast enough in? What is your os? Did you do a clean install when you got the new mobo and chip?

 

[Jada]

Yes I did a copmlete format with maxtor hard disk software from there I installed windows xp pro. I am a graphic artist I mainly use my computer for doing my paintings in photoshop and working with dream weaver. I have just one more question. We all know that windows xp and xp pro when doing and install detects all hardware and devices. I have the cd that come with the kx600pro which includes the via chip set drivers for the chip set of the mother board. My windows xp install had been running for a while. So I decided to install the chipset from the cd. I then noticed that even a simple double click of opening a folder on the desktop would cause the hard drive LED on the case to be lit up brightly as if the cpu was doing some heavy work and my hard disk would make allot of noise (its a fairly new drive) to open a simple folder and with a slow response I then unistalled the chipset driver and let windows re-install it after a reboot any idea's. I thank you guys are so helpful this is my first cpu mother board i put together and I have learned allot from your responses. I will be sure to capitalize on your recomendations and get those upgraded parts to get full usage of the cpu

 

[endyen]

Should have mentioned this myself a long time ago. Via is not too friendly with ati drivers (or computers)so it is a good idea to upgrade mobo drivers. Get the latest hyperions and load them. Via isn't all that bad, once everything is sorted, but a little experience is very helpfull.