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Was my decision a good one?
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: MADhix
Hey!
I just ordered the following parts to replace the respective parts from www.newegg.com:
CPU - AMD Athlon XP 3200+ "Barton", 400MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail <- AMD Athlon XP 1700+
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-390&depa=0
Motherboard - ASUS "A7N8X-E Deluxe" nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL <- AOpen AK77 Pro(A)-133
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-131-478&depa=0
RAM - Kingston ValueRAM Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail <- PNY 512MB(256MBx2) DDR PC-2100
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-141-423&depa=0
I also bought an ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB built by ATI retail (of course) card from Best Buy for $199.99 after a manufacturer mail-in rebate. I already sent the rebate form out.
I was wondering:
(1) After placing my order I heard from a friend that the 3000+ and 3200+ are very hot. He said, that I will need to get an all-copper HSF. I payed an extra $8.00 for the retail package so that I would have a 3 year manufacturer warranty and a HSF. Anyone know anything about this?
(2) What do you all think about my setup? Considering all of the developments in the hardware market soon to come and far beyond, did I make good purchases? If not, could you suggest what would have been a better choice.
I'm just a little worried because I don't have money to blow and I am hoping that I made good choices.
The price of the RAM when I purchased it was $198.00. I haven't even received the hardware yet and it has dropped $4.00!
Posted by: SKYHN
Good choice in basic hardware. Although personally I cannot encourage the purchasing of ATI hardware 
The high end athlons do run hot, but you should be fine with the retail heatsink. Just dont even think about overclocking, not even 1mhz. I prefer to be safe though and on my next system Ill be buying probably an all copper Zalman heatsink or something even though Ill be running stock(maybe bump the FSB slightly).
BTW, why do you have Kingston and PNY ram listed?
Posted by: armystud0911
Yeah that stuff looks like its a good deal, esp. the 3200+ Barton, those seem to be about the best bang for the buck. The Ram, well I woulda gotten a higher speed, but that's ok, also, stores carry specials sometimes that are INCREDIBLE! I have gotten 512MB 2100 chips at best buy for $35, and that wasn't cheap ram either, it was Kingston priced at $129 the next week! Circuit city has also had similar deals too, you just gotta be a smart shopper and watch.
Posted by: SKYHN
 Quote:
Originally posted by armystud0911
The Ram, well I woulda gotten a higher speed, but that's ok
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Theres no point in getting higher than PC3200 with a 400mhz FSB. 400mhz FSB can only handle up to 3.2gb/s, which is what PC3200 does without dual channel. Running dual channel is still a good idea though, cuz the bandwidth wont be the maximum the FSB can take, dual channel ensures it does.
Posted by: armystud0911
good point! I forgot about that AMD slower bus speed
I was also looking at that 2100 though
Posted by: taco_fox
Quote:
Originally posted by SKYHN
400mhz FSB can only handle up to 3.2gb/s, which is what PC3200 does without dual channel.
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nah.. you'll never be able to get to the 3.2gb/s mark without overclocking even with dual channel. The 3200 number is nothing more than a hypothetical figure.. you're right about the other things though
Posted by: redwench
the heatsink/fan that comes with the chip will be adequate if installed correctly, and used under normal operating conditions. otherwise, amd wouldnt bother to supply them with the cpu
Posted by: SKYHN
Quote:
Originally posted by taco_fox
nah.. you'll never be able to get to the 3.2gb/s mark without overclocking even with dual channel. The 3200 number is nothing more than a hypothetical figure.. you're right about the other things though
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I beg to differ on that. Show me a benchmark of a non O/C'd 400mhz FSB AthlonXP with PC3200 dual channel that doesnt meet or go past 3.2gb/s, and Ill shut up 
Posted by: MADhix
Do I need RAM that is faster than PC-3200 for dual channel to reap the benefits?
Posted by: MADhix
Quote:
Originally posted by redwench
the heatsink/fan that comes with the chip will be adequate if installed correctly, and used under normal operating conditions. otherwise, amd wouldnt bother to supply them with the cpu
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Do you know where I can find out how to install the HSF properly?
Also, when you say under normal operating conditions, do you mean not operating outside room temperature/humidity range and not overclocking? Or, do you mean, not stressing the processor 100% for a long period of time?
Posted by: taco_fox
Quote:
Originally posted by SKYHN
I beg to differ on that. Show me a benchmark of a non O/C'd 400mhz FSB AthlonXP with PC3200 dual channel that doesnt meet or go past 3.2gb/s, and Ill shut up
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here you go. Sorry about the width
http://www.tacofox.net/temp/pc3200.png
Just for semantics, this is an Athlon XP-M 2600+ running at XP 3200+ speeds (200x11).
Posted by: SKYHN
Quote:
O/Cing doesnt get you the performance of stock at that same speed though...
Posted by: taco_fox
Quote:
Originally posted by SKYHN
O/Cing doesnt get you the performance of stock at that same speed though...
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I was trying to replicate the processor that MADhix bought. It would make no difference if it was an overclocked 2600+ or a stock 3200+ if they were at the same FSB and multiplier. I can do another test at the 2600+'s stock speed if you want, but that doesn't really help your case...
Posted by: SKYHN
Ive built systems on 400mhz FSB and dual channel 3200 that did 3.4gb/s stock. It depends on the mobo as much as the FSB.
Posted by: taco_fox
I'd like to see a stock XP system do that
Posted by: redwench
Quote:
Originally posted by MADhix
Do you know where I can find out how to install the HSF properly?
Also, when you say under normal operating conditions, do you mean not operating outside room temperature/humidity range and not overclocking? Or, do you mean, not stressing the processor 100% for a long period of time?
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www.arcticsilver.com
both.
Posted by: armystud0911
You prolly won't stress the processor under 100% workload, I just have my cheap dell cooling fans/heatsinks and I am running 3 @home projects that always have my cpus maxxed out, I've been doing it for weeks.
Posted by: SKYHN
Maybe it was PC3500 I used. Im pretty sure it was 3200 though.
Posted by: redwench
you dont have an athlon, cooling isnt a problem for xeons
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