What is the Difference between 266 and 333 on AMD

NBM

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What is the Difference between 266 and 333 on AMD XP line of processors. For expample im thinking of getting a 2600 processor and on pricewatch they list 2 different 2600 AMD XP processors. i.e. Athlon XP 2600 1.67GHz (Socket-A) 266FSB Processor CPU and AMD Athlon XP 2600 2.133GHz 3D NOW! (Socket-A) 333FSB Processor - CPU. What is the difference? If my motherboard can handle both which one should i get? Thanks!
 

speeduk

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Get the 333 fsb version if you have 333mhz ddr memory to use with it. All it means is the cpu and memory communicate to each other at a higher speed (333mhz) instead of 266mhz.
You stated "Athlon XP 2600 1.67GHz ", 1.67ghz is not a 2600xp, its a 2000xp. Make sure to check this before you buy.

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NBM

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"Athlon XP 2600 1.67GHz ", 1.67ghz is not a 2600xp, its a 2000xp
Sorry, i just cut and pasted that off of pricewatch, didn't check for any errors. Yes i have 512 megs of ddr 333mhz, so the 333 fsb athlon xp 2600 would be the best choice right?
 

Rubberbband

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Not necessarily. Here's an example: I own a Gigabyte 7VRXP motherboard that uses the KT333 Via Chipset. This mobo supports 333Mhz Ram modules but it only support 266Mhz processors (mobo's FSB is 133 but the memory bus is 166 <- Multiply these by 2). That means that I can't run a 333FSB processor (actually I can but it won't run at it's top speed, mobo multiplier times the FSB).

Here's the catch although I have PC2700 Ram running it at that speed would mean my CPU and my Ram would run asynchronously (one at 266 and the other at 333) which could cause latency (processor being swamped by memory and then having to wait a few cycles before accessing Ram again). The solution was to set my memory to run at 266 but up the memory timings (select High Performance in the Bios). Even though I'm running my Ram at a slower "speed" I gain a little performance by running synchronously and having aggressive memory timings.

Before you buy a new CPU, check on your motherboard's manufacturer's website to confirm what CPU FSB it will support.

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NBM

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I forgot to mention earlier that my Motherboard does indeed support 333 fsb, so knowing that, the 333 fsb processor would be the best choice?
 

DrNick_

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Yes. Other things being equal, a processor with a higher FSB will perform better than one with a lower one.
 

phial

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Not necessarily. Here's an example: I own a Gigabyte 7VRXP motherboard that uses the KT333 Via Chipset. This mobo supports 333Mhz Ram modules but it only support 266Mhz processors (mobo's FSB is 133 but the memory bus is 166 <- Multiply these by 2). That means that I can't run a 333FSB processor (actually I can but it won't run at it's top speed, mobo multiplier times the FSB).

Here's the catch although I have PC2700 Ram running it at that speed would mean my CPU and my Ram would run asynchronously (one at 266 and the other at 333) which could cause latency (processor being swamped by memory and then having to wait a few cycles before accessing Ram again). The solution was to set my memory to run at 266 but up the memory timings (select High Performance in the Bios). Even though I'm running my Ram at a slower "speed" I gain a little performance by running synchronously and having aggressive memory timings.

Before you buy a new CPU, check on your motherboard's manufacturer's website to confirm what CPU FSB it will support.

i have the exact same situation. im limited to a 133(266)FSB because my mobo only has a 1/4 Pci divder. Aopen AK77-333. the selling pointof this mobo was DDR333 ram.

but when i tested the bandwidth in SiSandra there was basically no difference between 266 and 333. in fact because i could put the timings higher on 266 (because its actually 333 ram) i get more bandwidth compared to 333 with looser timings


its ghey. i bought this mobo so i could put my 1700+ on a 166fsb. (insert cursing)

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sput4u

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In the same situation i was with a GA-7vaxp mobo.the difference was that I had 266 Mhz Ram. So the higher i could go was 2400 Mhz by overcloacking from bios although my cpu was a 2800 XP...
Changing the Ram and putting 333 everything is ok.
So I recommend to buy 333 Mhz ram and cpu and I agree with all saying to check your motherboards site first..
 

NBM

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In the same situation i was with a GA-7vaxp mobo.the difference was that I had 266 Mhz Ram. So the higher i could go was 2400 Mhz by overcloacking from bios although my cpu was a 2800 XP...
Changing the Ram and putting 333 everything is ok.
So I recommend to buy 333 Mhz ram and cpu and I agree with all saying to check your motherboards site first..
I actually have the Gigabyte GA-7VAX motherboard, which does support 333 fsb if im not mistaken, and my ram is 333mhz so everything should be fine if i pick up a Athlon xp 2600 333fsb processor, right?