AMD

[realheadcrusher]

I'm new to the AMD universe. I want to build a middle class AMD. This is the config I figured:

Athlon 2600+
Asus AN8X Deluxe
256 DDR 333

I wonder If I can use a DDR 400 for this system, and if a 2500+ barton works better than 2600+ (some bechmarks said so). Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[pIII_Man]

if you would like to overclock i think the barton (2500) would be a better choice...yes yoou can use ddr 400

There is no smell better than fried silicon

 

[Jake_Barnes]

If you can afford it - get 512 Ram - would be faster than 256, even if better speed/brand (I think).


<b><font color=red>It depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is. - Bill Clinton<b><font color=red>

 

[endyen]

The 2600 may be faster at times for some apps. Is it worth 10% more than the 2500? Idont think so.
With the nvidia chipset, you get a memory bandwidth boost if you use 2 sticks of ram in the correct slots. This will give you about 25% more bandwidth, and net a system improvement of 2%. I think it's worth it, since 512 megs of ram is well used, and two X 256 megs is about the same as 1 X 512 megs. Using PC3200 (DDR 400) is only usefull if you are going to run your chip on a fsb faster than 170 mhz. Since the 2500 is often able to run at fsb of 200 or more, it is a good idea. I do not think of running the xp2500 at a fsb of 200 with a multiplier of 10 as overclocking, but rather as a bios adjustment. Most have shown that they are quite happy there, with no noticable increase of temp, and no added voltage required. An fsb of 200 also nets an added ram bandwidth of 20% over 166 fsb. Whatever fsb you do use, the ram does work better if it is sync with it. Hope you understand about DDR being twice the fsb.

 

[nfaq]

The AMD 2500 is typically the faster CPU.

Save some money, get DDR-333 (only the AMD XP3200 uses DDR400 and its the last fastest 32bit AMD XP CPU that will use it) I don't know what the memory systems are for the AMD64.

512mb is a MUST, especially if youre going to use (gag) WindowsXP. memory is cheap. I'd be better to have an AMD2000 with 512 than the 2500 with 256mb.

Oh... the Retail 2500 easily overclocks to 2900~3000 speeds out of the box. (Change multiplier from 11 to 12.5).

And as endyen says, get TWO sticks of 256 for that Nforce board for best performance.

Heres some performance improvements:

AMD XP 1800 = 24~27hrs (SETI@HOME)
AMD XP 2500 = 17~19hrs (SETI@HOME) (OC to 2100+mhz / 12.5m)

PS: I paid less for my 2500 than for my 1800 😉



Amiga - The Original Power

 

[Jake_Barnes]

Well said - and right on ...


<b><font color=red>It depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is. - Bill Clinton<b><font color=red>

 

[realheadcrusher]

I've seen a 2600+ barton being sold (twice the price of a 2600+ t or 2500+ barton). Is it any good? Thanks in advance and for all tips, folks. I will use them all.

 

[pIII_Man]

go with the 2500 it wil EASILY overclock to 2600 barton speeds i immagine you have to increase the multiplyer by .5 even a t-bird could handle that!

There is no smell better than fried silicon