DDR vs FSB vs MoBo compatibility

[mguydish]

:confused: I'm getting burnt out getting in the new hardware scene for a custom PC. I have some general questions that I havn't figured out yet.

1) Does the FSB and memory speed have any relationship? I used to think they did, now I doubt what I think.

2) Why do the MoBo folks (like Abit and Asus) spec (only) PC3200(DDR400)/PC2700(DDR333)/PC2100(DDR266), then Corsair and MaximumPC speak of putting PC4000(DDR500) in the same MoBo Model? What is the MoBo limit if they don't say?

3) To purchase 1G, I see that Corsair says 2x184 DIMM. Does this mean 2 modules taking 2 of 4 sockets for a 2G limit (MoBo supports 4G)? I heard 1G modules were available, but I guess not with Corsair yet?

4) From the picture of a case (Antec Sonata) and MoBo's w/ integrated I/O, I can't understand how the two mate for the I/O. Is the case a 'standard' size rectangle and the MoBo folks are responsible for providing the egress panel (I/O shield)?

I've pretty much had enough research fun and just want to buy now.

If anybody wants to review my custom choices, please ask, I'd be happy to tell. :)

thank you,
Mike

[Rocketmech]

Welcome to Sysopt!

1. Yes
2. DDR is backward compatible. The faster DDR500 is used for O/C 'g .
3. Your looking at Twin or paired dimms , 2x512 (1 gig) , using 2 dimm slots. Some mobo's offer Dual Channel ddr. To put it simply, the chipset accesses two sticks (or channels) of ddr at the same time instead of just one. The performance increase is small, maybe 5-10%.
I don't think Corsair offers 1 gig ddr dimms. But you can find other brands.
4. Just be sure the mobo comes with its own I/O backplate. Antec cases backplates are interchangeable.

5. Go ahead and spill your guts. Lots of friendly opinions and advice to go around here.
:D :t

[mguydish]

1) ok, they are the same bus. so one more step,
Does DDR400 = 200 MHZ actual clock, but uses rising and falling? (Then Dual channel DDR is furthermore?)
Does 800 FSB = 400 MHz actual clock? (ready for the RAM when it gets there?)

2) Oh yea, the O/C'g spec from 100MHz to 400MHz. Is that how 800 FSB is implemented, with the 400MHz O/C? (Again, I guess I am confused with the frequency relationship)

3) 10-4 !

4) 10-4, there DOES exist a removable backplate!

5) I'll happily post the setup later today.

NEW QUESTION:
I am increasingly impressed with the ability of folks to reply. I would love to help others, but I find myself swamped with barely enough time to do what I need, let alone helping others. I kinda feel bad, but will try in the future after my 7 mo old twins get a little more self-sufficient and I'm not trying to do all my hobbies from MTB(Mountainbiking) to PC to DV to to infinity.

How do you all do it!? (the replies, I mean)

Thanks again!!

[Bigjakkstaffa]

2) 800Mhz comes from the stock 200Mhz FSB quad pumped to give 800Mhz. This is only on newer P4 processors. Similar to the way AMD CPU's double pump their 'real' FSB's to give 333/400Mhz FSB's

--Jakk:t

[mguydish]

My potential rig (hope I am helping those who compare hardware with my reasons):

Mission Statement:
Avoid bundled PC packages that skimp in areas such as power supplies, cooling and expandability. Carefully select custom PC items that may extend the lifecycle a few years.

Custom PC Objective:
O1) Replace my wife's Pavilion 500MHz Celeron with something more useful to perform photo stuff, internet surfing, and other multimedia and desktop tasks. Win98SE on this machine is so bogged with software, it takes many seconds just to rename a file. Surfing with DSL is bottlenecked by the PC!

O2) Avoid top performance parts which are unreasonably priced for non-gaming objectives.

The candidates:

Case:
Antec Sonata (380W P/S) with additional 120mm front fan.
- Antec claims to be quiet (120mm fans require slower RPMs is one feature)
- I wish it had the 430W P/S. I may go for the Antec PLUS1080AMG if I decide noise is OK. - I hope the power supply will power the new phase of SATA requiring 3.3V. I have an email to Antec about this. I hope to extend the upgradable life with this feature.
- Minus: no removable MoBo panel. (oh well)

MoBo:
Asus P4C800-E Deluxe.
- I have no time to remember and perform backups, so RAID 1 is for me :).
- The Intel 875P/ICH5R chipset only supports RAID 0, so I can't get the Intel MoBo.
- The Asus P4C800 Deluxe says something about the Promise 20378 RAID for RAID 1 is optional, and I'm not sure how to deal with that during an online purchase, so the P4C800-E Deluxe for $20 more says the Promise RAID is included. Seems like I'd be paying about that to get the optional Promise RAID on the P4C800 Deluxe anyway
- I have a Sony DV camera. Need IEEE1394. Integrated seems cost effective and reliable.
- Decided against Abit IC7-G Max II Advance and IC7-MAX3 because they do not support 400 FSB. I want to install a cheap 400 FSB P4 for now, then a Prescott for an upgrade.
- Speaking of Prescott, the Asus P4C800 says it has a new power design to support the Prescott. I hope to extend the upgradable life with this feature. Not sure

Memory:
Corsair VS512MB400, maybe two pieces for 1G. As long as there is ECC, I'm not concerned about twins for O/C'g if I have to pay a premium.

AGP: ATI ATI Radeon 9600 Pro. That will hopefully be enough horses for non-gaming, but including DV editing.

Harddrive:
-system: would like to get a matching 80G for my existing Seagate 80G 2M 7200 for a RAID 1.

-Data: Eventually would like to run a RAID 1 with WD 250GB drives. Fry's and Outpost.com have been selling them for about $160 after rebate.

Will cannibalize the Pavilion for keybd, mouse, monitor, cd-rw.

Misc:
round cables, of course.

That's all I can think of now.... burnt and busy.. -Mike