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Lasereth · 08-03-2004, 06:38 PM

I'll answer the questions asked just to reinstate:

Your processor is a 1800+ with a FSB of 266 MHz. You want PC2100 RAM (266 MHz) so it will coincide with the FSB on your processor. PC2700 will work, but it will not give a speed boost on your system.

An Athlon XP 2600+ would be a great choice. Don't buy the 333 MHz FSB version, buy the 266 MHz FSB version. It may or may not work with your motherboard if you get the 333 MHz Barton core. Even if it does work, you won't get a boost from the 333 MHz FSB.

One point of interest: upgrading to a motherboard that supports 333 MHz FSB would be very cheap and very easy. The upgrade from a 266 MHz FSB processor to a 333 MHz FSB processor is huge. A 1.8 GHz 2500+ Barton core is more powerful than a 2.0 GHz 2600+ 266 MHz FSB. FSB increases generate more raw power than clock speed.

People don't like admitting this, but if you had a 333 MHz FSB processor, 768 MB of PC2100 (266 MHz) would make the system run faster than 512 MB of PC2700. Benchmark scores may be lower, but in raw gaming, you'd see an increase with more RAM rather than faster RAM. Don't get me wrong, it's always a good idea to keep the RAM in synch with the FSB of your processor, but in pure gaming, more RAM will help out a bunch. To further the subject, 768 MB of PC2700 would run better than 768 MB of PC2100 in a 333 MHz FSB system. It all depends on what you're doing (benchmarking or playing games) with what ya have.

If I were you, I'd put two 512 MB PC2700 sticks in your PC (if you order the second stick). Then upgrade to a cheap motherboard that supports 333 MHz FSB Athlon XPs and buy an Athlon XP 2500+. That'll run ya about $150 total and you'll get a HUGE increase in power.

-Lasereth

08-03-2004, 06:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	I'll answer the questions asked just to reinstate: Your processor is a 1800+ with a FSB of 266 MHz. You want PC2100 RAM (266 MHz) so it will coincide with the FSB on your processor. PC2700 will work, but it will not give a speed boost on your system. An Athlon XP 2600+ would be a great choice. Don't buy the 333 MHz FSB version, buy the 266 MHz FSB version. It may or may not work with your motherboard if you get the 333 MHz Barton core. Even if it does work, you won't get a boost from the 333 MHz FSB. One point of interest: upgrading to a motherboard that supports 333 MHz FSB would be very cheap and very easy. The upgrade from a 266 MHz FSB processor to a 333 MHz FSB processor is huge. A 1.8 GHz 2500+ Barton core is more powerful than a 2.0 GHz 2600+ 266 MHz FSB. FSB increases generate more raw power than clock speed. People don't like admitting this, but if you had a 333 MHz FSB processor, 768 MB of PC2100 (266 MHz) would make the system run faster than 512 MB of PC2700. Benchmark scores may be lower, but in raw gaming, you'd see an increase with more RAM rather than faster RAM. Don't get me wrong, it's always a good idea to keep the RAM in synch with the FSB of your processor, but in pure gaming, more RAM will help out a bunch. To further the subject, 768 MB of PC2700 would run better than 768 MB of PC2100 in a 333 MHz FSB system. It all depends on what you're doing (benchmarking or playing games) with what ya have. If I were you, I'd put two 512 MB PC2700 sticks in your PC (if you order the second stick). Then upgrade to a cheap motherboard that supports 333 MHz FSB Athlon XPs and buy an Athlon XP 2500+. That'll run ya about $150 total and you'll get a HUGE increase in power. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert