ASUS P4S8X-X: Help!!

[Theognis]

Hello all, I just built my first computer. It's been great, but I've having a really hard time with some issues. Any help anyone can give would be great! Here are the specs:

ASUS P4S8X-X Motherboard
1.5GB PC2100 DDR Kingston RAM
Intel Pentium 4 3.2Ghz
ATI Radeon 9800SE 128MB Video Card
Maxtor 7200RPM 30GB HD
Antec Sonata Case
WinXP Home (latest version)

Here is what is happening: The BIOS (v.1004) on the Motherboard is not recognizing the CPU Speed correctly - it's severly underclocking it. It's running as a 2.66Ghz chip, and I can't get it, even in Manual settings, to see it as a 3.2Ghz.

I'm not into overclocking at all, and haven't mucked with anything, just put the chip in, turned it on, and it defaults it to a 2133Mhz chip - I can go into the BIOS and turn everything to Manual and crank it to a 2667Mhz chip, but I can go into Windows and see it as a 3.2Ghz Chip, running at 2.66.

I've updated the BIOS to the latest version, I've checked physical damage to the Motherboard ... It should just work, shouldn't it?

Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Scott

 

[allanon1965]

according to the manual, it only supports up to a 3.06mhz cpu, what core is the cpu you have, the manual only talks about williamette, and northwood....i dont know that much about the newer intel core names, but sounds like it is an issue of the board not supporting your cpu fully.

Fat, Drunk, and Stupid is no way to go through life Son.

 

[etp777]

Yep, mobo(and chipset) only support 533 mhz processors, and only up to ddr333(motherboard has ddr400 memory bus settings but it's not a supported SiS option, so they don't gaurantee stability). 133mhz bus by the stock 16x multiplier gives you the 2.13ghz. When you run it up to 166, you get your 2.66, but then you're overclocking your memory, if you're running that at 166mhz too.

Basically, neither your motherboard or your ram really support that processor

 

[Theognis]

Well, that makes sense - I think. What's the most cost-effective solution? I'm guessing a new motherboard - does anyone have any suggestions?

I'll try to do some research on my own, too, but we all see how that worked out =p

 

[Theognis]

Alright, I need some more help. I understand my previous mistake now, and just need some advice - feel free to point me to a "newbie" website if that's easier.

So I have:
Pentium 4 3.2Ghz Processor, Socket 478
3x 512MB Kingston PC2100 DDR RAM

and I need to find a motherboard that will work =)

I've been looking at the ASUS P4C800 Deluxe and that seems to have everything I need; 800Mhz FSB, HyperThreading, etc.

My only question is with the RAM - The Asus Website says:
-Dual Channel Memory Architecture
-4 x 184-pin DIMM Sockets support max. 4GB PC3200/PC2700/PC2100 ECC/ Non-ECC DDR SDRAM memory

Which is what I have, althought it also says "DDR 400" - Where does that 400 play into things? Also, does the "Dual Channel" Architecture mean I'll only be able to use 2 sticks instead of 3? (i.e., only even numbers?) I'm sure it's a stupid question, and I'm googling for the answer now, but any help is tremendously appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Cybercraig]

Get yourself an ABIT IS7 and some decent PC3200 ddr. Try and sell the PC2100 on E-Bay or to a friend. PC2100 does you NO good with an 800mhz FSB. IS7 should be around $94.00 at Newegg. Much cheaper than the ASUS and more stable voltages, though, if you don't overclock that might not matter. DDR-400 is the PC3200 spec, and no, three sticks won't work in dual-channel. Get 2 X 512 or 4 X 512. The best would probably be 2 X 1024 if you need 2gb.


"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. Now, let's eat!

 

[Crashman]

I'd save a lot of money on the motherboard and apply that savings to RAM, you "need" it. Operating an "800MHz FSB" CPU with DDR266 RAM will really kill your performance.

The base Abit IS7 is a great deal, at around $90. Stable, lots of features. All other versions of the IS7 except the -G are cheapened up, cut down versions. The -G adds gigabit LAN, which you probably won't need anyway (base IS7 has 10/100 LAN).

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