Page 1 of 1

Hardware queries

PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 1:08 pm
by Linux Frank
Hi All,

I am about to buy parts to build a new comp. It needs to be done, this one is lossing it's third PCI slot, which means I can either have sound OR network card ... oh dear.

Basically If I get a processor that has a 333MHz FSB, then the MB needs to be able to support 333MHz FSB, however the board supports up to 400MHz. If I buy 400MHz memory is htis a waste of money because the processor cannot support that speed, or does the Memeory need to be compatible with the Mobo and not the processor. Basically the difference is $25-50 depending on what day.

So far my considerations are

processor
MotherBoard
Memory

Oh and does anyone not recommend NewEgg, seems everyone talks their praises for service and cost.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 3:23 pm
by cdhgold
that should be a good combo the memory and the proc both need to work wiht mb more than each other.

chris

PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:42 pm
by Tux
Front Side Bus and Memory Clock should be in sync for greatest performace. In fact many say that even if the RAM has a higher clock the performance is degraded.
As an added note RAM sticks that have higher clocks usually can't handle the more aggressive RAM timings. My adivce to you therefore is to go syncronous at 333MHz.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 9:21 pm
by Linux Frank
Thanks for the thoughts guys.

I have learnt many things, but this I have discoverd. Crap hardware and a good high quality and solid M/B is much better than low quality M/B and good quality boards. Of course a simple hunt at the processors around now and it is an easy decision. A system should be near the top, but not at the top, because the price ratio is not worth it - to me at least. Where as loosing 200MHZ and droping $100 is def. worth the effort. I know my next system will be 64 Bit, so I want this one to have enough longevity built in to make it last till 64 bit is cheaper, also I want to loose all the issues that having that other OS on there gave me, so it'll be all new. I have found that to future proof too much is a phalicy. You always end up needing a new M/B when you upgrade the proc. and then you always end up needing a different type of memory, better to spend the money, get something that is not too much a compromise, and save worrying it out 2 years down the line, rebuild 5 years later instead.

Tux - that is a curious statement. I was under the impression the FSB was the speed at which data could be transmitted, I didn't realize that it is clocking. Of course if that is a clock speed then undoubtedly one would want them matched, although doesn't the processor control the memory clocking, therefore, degredation would be becasue the data was waiting to be picked up, and therefore the memory locked until then, in which case it is mere waste of power, however that means data might also get passed, before the processor even knows it is there, causing data corruption of some kind - damn not a processor hacker can't fully answer that, but I guess if the memory outputs before the proc. is ready and you end up with a low bit on a high bit you are going to get floating levels, which is a mess (used to have eproms do this on relay controls - the things would sit and chatter for days until someone used the damn box, and then five mins. later off they would go again.). Well I'm convinced of what I know I want. Match the speeds, it is probably better that way.

Must stop rambling, drink herbal tea and relax. Too much going on right now.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 3:41 pm
by Linux Frank
Just read my last post, was a very busy day.

Anyway.

My new system is on it's way, with good stuff all the way. Will get this set up and retire my laptop (read dispose of in an environmentally friendly way). And the old system I'm gonna use as a play ground until it's Fubar.

Hang on no I'm not gonna retire my lappy yet, just thought of something. Anyway.

I tried hunting around for a Mobo that supports the old Proc. K6-III AMD jobbie. Anyone got any good sites that deal in old hardware (DTI Mobo is NOT an option).

This system would eventually end up a webserver and/or firewall, if I could get a working Mobo for it.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 3:54 pm
by Doogee
you dont live in australia do you?

im in desperate need for a laptop. ANY Laptop.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 8:34 pm
by Linux Frank
Sorry man, Boston, USA. And trust me you DON'T want this thing. 40MB RAM, 1G HDD, P133. What possible use could you have for it?

I'm thinking that if I get my Network card back from the person I lent it too then I can configure this and run it either using Voids X -broadcast terminal configuration, or as a thin client of some kind. If I run it from my new system it'll smoke, but then I need to be within cable distance of my main machine. However that means two people can use it at once.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 8:51 pm
by Doogee
ive begged people for less. I've come up fruitless everytime.

PostPosted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 8:25 pm
by Linux Frank
Hell if it was worth it you could have it for the cost of shipping, but it ain't.

Check out ebays computer section, there are a lot of Aussie sellers on there and you can pick up some nice deals if you have low requirements. Just watch out there are a lot of items that suddenly become no deal at all when you read the fine print, or realise what they didn't say. You should analyize such things very carefully.

Also keep an eye on www.craigslist.com they are planning to open up a site in Melbourne (isn't that the major city near you?), and other aussie cities. The site gets a lot of dross, but the gems do appear.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/cities.html

Anyway. Got the new computer and apart from two gotchas I am up and running. I did not know that AGP X8 requires a DIFFERENT AGP slot, so I had to buy a new graphics card (my 3dfx still works like a trooper). And the motherboard does not actually take the processor. So I had to get another M/B, it is a gigabyte, and I'm not that impressed I have to say. Still it is better than the DFI jobs, I'll not buy one of those again.

The computer seems to work like a charm. The case I got is cool, the power supply is silent, as is the HDD. The sound works. The sound permissons change between users. So all in all I knew my old system was being pushed too far. That is going to be a experimenting system until it totally crashes and burns.

I have total confidence and shall build another one around the other MB when the processor drops $50. And this system will become a tax write off.

PostPosted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 11:54 pm
by Doogee
hmm i may have found a laptop, the girl im getting it from says theres something wrong, a ROM error or CDROM error, she cannot remember.


I hope i can fix it :lol: