Motherboard and RAM compatability (new question)

[NITRO1250]

OK, I am posting in this forum because it is pertinant to motherboards, but it also pertains to RAM. If this is in the wrong area, please move it moderators/admins.

Anyway, to my question: I was looking at this motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131073) for use with my CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115011) which I am ordering with it. Now, I have some older DDR400 RAM from Corsair where the twin matched 512MB sticks. So far, they have not failed me. Since my budget was for a new processor, I can't really afford to update my RAM as the new speeds are astronomical for what I want to spend (don't bring up the CPU, it is for advanced 3D animation rendering!).

Now for the question: is this motherboard any good (reading the reviews gives me a fair assumption that it is somewhat ok... I have an ASUS A8N Premium socket 939 currently and have had to RMA it once after 6 months; so far, it is ok and stable) and can my older DDR400 RAM work with the motherboard as it is DDR800 compatable.

If you can recommend another motherboard (for the same price or cheaper [limited budget again...]), I would like the CPU power input to be 8-pin instead of 4-pin, and it to be an SLi board. I don't have SLi, but I use my Radeon X850 XT as my TV-out card since my 8800 GTS 640MB one can't do anything other than HDTV... yes it works, just not together obviously! Another note, my 2 primary HDDs are IDE while my other 2 for backup storage is SATA. I don't know if they still make motherboard with 2 IDE sockets anymore, but if you can suggest one, that would be cool too so I don't have to dig up IDE to SATA converter cables.

Thanks for your time if anyone responds back!

 

[lunyone]

No. DDR2 (800 MHz, 240 pin) Ram is not compatible with DDR (266-400 MHz, 184pin). The sockets for either type of RAM will not match. It's like trying to fit a PCI-E video card into an AGP slot, for example. Were you wanting to stay with your AMD setup (maybe upgrade), or were you just trying to move over to the Intel C2D setup?

PS I know that there are some ASROCK mobo's that can support both DDR and DDR2 memory. Here is one example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157092

 

[CmdPT]

No. DDR2 (240 Pins) RAM is not compatible with DDR (184 Pins).

You will have to get a different motherboard that can support DDR2 but then you will have to change the CPU.

 

[flyer335]

NITRO1250

P5N-E 32 SLI $209 good/8800GTS ooh!/QX6700 $900+ whoa!/twin matched 512MB sticks DDR400 RAM wha?

Isn't RAM about as important in animation? I dunno!

Anyway, I have an E6400 on an MSI P6N SLI Platinum ($159) with 2GB (2x1GB) Patriot LLK PC-6400 DDR2-800 ($215) running two IDE HDDs and a DVD-R/RW, with the Fatal1ty 7600GT Gfx card. Just put it together 2 days ago, everything works fine, low noise, and clocked at 2.66GHz (333.5X8) 1:1 FSB/Memory (1334FSB/DDR2-667) on stock voltage. Smooth yet snappy. The P6N..Platinum is a 650sli mobo(v.680i), though from what I've read there isnt that much difference in performance, then again I don't know what is stressed in animation work. I have waited till a selection (2) of the 650i mobos came out in order to preserve my old tech components like the IDE channels.

So far, I would recommend this board; its new though, ver. 1.0!?
And NewEgg!

 

[NITRO1250]

I didn't know the pin types changed otherwise I wouldn't have asked such a dumb question! LOL! Thanks for the heads up! And yes animation uses RAM somewhat for temp storage, but for rendering out the final product, it is ALL CPU, not even a graphics card is used!

Now that we are on RAM, I would like to start small with 1GB now and perhaps some more in the future once Vista Ultimate has less bugs and more driver support. I don't want to spend more than $100 if possible, but I don't want garbage RAM. I have had good success with Corsair, but if someone knows a better or simular company, I would like to know.

Thanks again for the wonderfull posts!

 

[lunyone]

Now that we are on RAM, I would like to start small with 1GB now and perhaps some more in the future once Vista Ultimate has less bugs and more driver support. I don't want to spend more than $100 if possible, but I don't want garbage RAM. I have had good success with Corsair, but if someone knows a better or simular company, I would like to know.

Thanks again for the wonderfull posts!

So what are your plans now? You started off with CPU and Mobo and possible RAM install, but now you just want 1GB ram. What RAM are you looking for? DDR or DDR2? Are you going to get the CPU and Mobo as you originally posted or are you thinking of something else?

 

[NITRO1250]

I'm sorry, I should have listed that. I am going with the same CPU and perhaps the same motherboard I listed, but if someone has a good suggestion for one with the same features for about the same price, I am all ears. I haven't motherboard shopped in about a year and things have changed. Preferably, I would like to have a mobo with Phoenix Bios as that is what I am familiar with.

As for RAM, 1GB is sufficient for me. DDR2 would be good, but if someone could suggest a 1GB stick for about $100, that would be good. I like Corsair but other RAM companies are ok too.

 

[NITRO1250]

Also if possible, I need a mobo with 2 IDE ports...

 

[flyer335]

Check this list of DDR2-800 DIMMs @NewEgg.
"http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000170147%201052108080%201052308476%201052416064&bop=And&Order=PRICE"

You did note that your mobo,the P5N32-E, only has (1x)PATA header for IDE/ATAPI drives, didn't you.
That means only (2x)IDE HDDs or (2x)ATAPI drives.
I don't believe the 680i MCP/SPP retains two PATA headers, like the 650i does.
In my research, the only boards that have native support
for two PATA headers were the Asrock/ASUS Intel 865Express boards
(which probably do not support quad/extreme C2Ds), along with the few
nVidia 650i mobos. If there are others, they probably incorporate an add-on, third-party controller such as the JMicron.
If you research them, I think you'll see a troubling trend of incompatibilities/failures.

TonyB.

ps.
Now running my $222, 2.13GHz E6400 at 362.5 x 8 = 2.9GHz,
with CPU temps of 46c/45c @stock voltages.

QX6700 Kentsfield 2.66GHz for $907?
Wanna buy my E6400? Cheap, only (2.9/2.6)x$907= $1011!

Just kidding!

 

[NITRO1250]

Thanks for the info. I was well aware of the 1 IDE port.

I have settled on this mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131074
This RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231088

And since this board too has 1 IDE port, I am deciding on getting one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Subcategory=410&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=
With one of these since my 2 primary HDDS are encased in 2 CoolDrive 6 HDD coolers which are located on my 2 top bays: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0317 1217813111&Description=IDE Cable&name=36

Next question: would there be any performance hinderance with the IDE to PCI card? Also, should I hook the CD/DVD drives to it or the HDDs? That is my big question. THANKS!

 

[lunyone]

Thanks for the info. I was well aware of the 1 IDE port.

I have settled on this mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131074
This RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231088

And since this board too has 1 IDE port, I am deciding on getting one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Subcategory=410&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=
With one of these since my 2 primary HDDS are encased in 2 CoolDrive 6 HDD coolers which are located on my 2 top bays: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0317 1217813111&Description=IDE Cable&name=36

Next question: would there be any performance hinderance with the IDE to PCI card? Also, should I hook the CD/DVD drives to it or the HDDs? That is my big question. THANKS!

WOW! Didn't think you were going to spend $345 on a mobo! Nice, if you have the budget! What CPU are you going to mate up with the mobo? I've been reading alot about using a Gigabyte DS3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128012
and save about $200. Then you could use that extra $ for video/mem/or whatever else floats your boat! Not sure if this is what your looking for, but the Gigabyte mobo is highly rated.

The GSkill memory that you refer to should be good. If I were building a system right now I would at least get 2 Gig's of DDR2, but that decision is up to you. I hope you are getting enough information to help you make your decisions.

Good luck with the build!

 

[NITRO1250]

The CPU will be the Intel Quad Core. As for the rest of the stuff, I am salvaging my GeForce 8800 GTS (640MB one).

Currently I have:
AMD Athlon64 3700+ @2.2ghz
ASUS A8N Premium SLi mobo
1GB Corsair DDR400 RAM
1.12TB HDD space (4x drives) [used for DV and HDDV video storage and rendered 3D animations]
eVGA GeForce 8800 GTS (1st PCI-E Slot)
ATi Sapphire Radeon X850 XT 265MB (2nd PCI-E slot)
600W PSU (2 months old)
350W PSU (powers the Radeon since the PSU doesn't like not running both 12V rails unless it is in SLi...)

So yeah, I have a franken box! There are other parts, but these are the most significant! Right now, I can run just about all my new games in full resolution (1600x1200) with everything on full blast. There are a couple of exceptions, but 90% of my games are like this! Enjoy!

 

[lunyone]

The CPU will be the Intel Quad Core. As for the rest of the stuff, I am salvaging my GeForce 8800 GTS (640MB one).

Currently I have:
AMD Athlon64 3700+ @2.2ghz
ASUS A8N Premium SLi mobo
1GB Corsair DDR400 RAM
1.12TB HDD space (4x drives) [used for DV and HDDV video storage and rendered 3D animations]
eVGA GeForce 8800 GTS (1st PCI-E Slot)
ATi Sapphire Radeon X850 XT 265MB (2nd PCI-E slot)
600W PSU (2 months old)
350W PSU (powers the Radeon since the PSU doesn't like not running both 12V rails unless it is in SLi...)

So yeah, I have a franken box! There are other parts, but these are the most significant! Right now, I can run just about all my new games in full resolution (1600x1200) with everything on full blast. There are a couple of exceptions, but 90% of my games are like this! Enjoy!

Good luck with the "franken" box! Hopefully we helped you with your decisions. I know most people would upgrade the AMD to a x2 and up the memory to 2 gigs to keep things rolling. That is what I would do, but I'm not the one making the decisions

 

[Sirfiroth]

OK, I am posting in this forum because it is pertinant to motherboards, but it also pertains to RAM. If this is in the wrong area, please move it moderators/admins.

Anyway, to my question: I was looking at this motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131073) for use with my CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115011) which I am ordering with it. Now, I have some older DDR400 RAM from Corsair where the twin matched 512MB sticks. So far, they have not failed me. Since my budget was for a new processor, I can't really afford to update my RAM as the new speeds are astronomical for what I want to spend (don't bring up the CPU, it is for advanced 3D animation rendering!).

Now for the question: is this motherboard any good (reading the reviews gives me a fair assumption that it is somewhat ok... I have an ASUS A8N Premium socket 939 currently and have had to RMA it once after 6 months; so far, it is ok and stable) and can my older DDR400 RAM work with the motherboard as it is DDR800 compatable.

If you can recommend another motherboard (for the same price or cheaper [limited budget again...]), I would like the CPU power input to be 8-pin instead of 4-pin, and it to be an SLi board. I don't have SLi, but I use my Radeon X850 XT as my TV-out card since my 8800 GTS 640MB one can't do anything other than HDTV... yes it works, just not together obviously! Another note, my 2 primary HDDs are IDE while my other 2 for backup storage is SATA. I don't know if they still make motherboard with 2 IDE sockets anymore, but if you can suggest one, that would be cool too so I don't have to dig up IDE to SATA converter cables.

Thanks for your time if anyone responds back!

I don't know if you looked at the reviews on your board of choice, but they don't seem to be very good, less than 50% were happy with it. If you are dead set on using your ddr memory then the Asrock Dual Vesta is the betterhoice.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157092

 

[lunyone]

OK, I am posting in this forum because it is pertinant to motherboards, but it also pertains to RAM. If this is in the wrong area, please move it moderators/admins.

Anyway, to my question: I was looking at this motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131073) for use with my CPU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115011) which I am ordering with it. Now, I have some older DDR400 RAM from Corsair where the twin matched 512MB sticks. So far, they have not failed me. Since my budget was for a new processor, I can't really afford to update my RAM as the new speeds are astronomical for what I want to spend (don't bring up the CPU, it is for advanced 3D animation rendering!).

Now for the question: is this motherboard any good (reading the reviews gives me a fair assumption that it is somewhat ok... I have an ASUS A8N Premium socket 939 currently and have had to RMA it once after 6 months; so far, it is ok and stable) and can my older DDR400 RAM work with the motherboard as it is DDR800 compatable.

If you can recommend another motherboard (for the same price or cheaper [limited budget again...]), I would like the CPU power input to be 8-pin instead of 4-pin, and it to be an SLi board. I don't have SLi, but I use my Radeon X850 XT as my TV-out card since my 8800 GTS 640MB one can't do anything other than HDTV... yes it works, just not together obviously! Another note, my 2 primary HDDs are IDE while my other 2 for backup storage is SATA. I don't know if they still make motherboard with 2 IDE sockets anymore, but if you can suggest one, that would be cool too so I don't have to dig up IDE to SATA converter cables.

Thanks for your time if anyone responds back!

I don't know if you looked at the reviews on your board of choice, but they don't seem to be very good, less than 50% were happy with it. If you are dead set on using your ddr memory then the Asrock Dual Vesta is the betterhoice.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813157092

I don't know if you noticed, he's changed his mind and wants use an Intel C2 Quad Core and an EXPENSIVE ASUS board:
ASUS Striker Extreme LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX The Ultimate Gaming Motherboard - Retail

Not sure where we went from replacing AMD board to Intel quad core CPU, but that is where he stands right now, if I'm not mistaken.