"Michael Thomas" wrote in message
...
On 24 Jun 2003 17:01:38 -0700, (Arif) wrote:

Hi folks,

I am planning to buy an A7N8X deluxe (PCB Rev 2.0 which supports
a 400Mhz FSB). Initially I plan to buy a Barton 2500XP processor
(which is officially rated as supporting a 333 FSB) and hopefully in a
years time upgrade to a faster processor which supports a 3200 FSB. (I
do not wish to
overclock the Barton 2500XP)

There were two Crucial Memory options I was looking at
(All prices are UK sterling)
512MB x 2 PC2700 for 100 quid
OR
512MB x 2 PC3200 for 128 quid

The PC2700 is rated at 2.5V 6ns with CL (CAS latency) = 2.5
The PC3200 is rated at 2.5V 5ns with CL = 3

I am happy to pay the extra 28 quid and go for the PC3200
to 'future proof my investment' so long as I dont sacrifice stability
as compared to a PC2700.

I would appreciate some clarifications:

A. If I use the PC3200 sticks with the Barton 2500 @ 333FSB
(Both CPU and Memory running at 333) will the system stability be:
- Better than using a PC2700 @ 333FSB
- Worse than using a PC2700 @ 33FSB
- Almost the same as using a PC2700 @ 333FSB


Probably no change, but you will be able to run the PC3200 memory at
faster timings at that speed due to the 5ns vs 6ns chips.

B. If I use the PC3200 sticks with the Barton 2500 @ 333FSB will I be
able to set a CL=2.5 or will be forced to use CL=3 as per the official
spec ?

Presumably the official spec of CL=3 relates to a '3200' speed
and not to a '2700' speed and at a '2700' speed I should be able to
set CAS=2.5 ?


Yes, and it may go even faster. Really depends on the stick.

Will setting a CL=2.5 on the PC3200 make it less stable
compared to a PC2700, which is officially rated at CL=2.5 ?


Not at 333FSB.

C. If I use the PC3200 sticks, should I run the CPU at a
Frequency of 333 but the memory at 400
OR run both at 400.

Some previous usenet messages suggest a CPU external frequency
of 200 (i.e. FSB=400) ;Memory in Sync;
& a CPU multiplier of 9. Although the
CPU's internal frequency (200*9=1800) is not overclocked, a
CPU rated at FSB 333 will be run at FSB 400 ?
Is this deemed 'overclocking' which may impact stability and CPU
life ?

Presumably at FSB 400 the CAS latency should be set to 3 as per the
spec ?


If you plan on overclocking than PC3200 is the way to go. You may get
away with 2.5 CAS @ 400FSB but I would follow the basic overclocking
techniques of starting out conservatively, optimal settings or SPD,
and going from there.

D. Roughly how much overall performance will I gain by running
the PC3200 at 400 rather than at 333 ?


As long as you are running the CPU and memory in sync - quite a bit.

Bottom Line: Are there any pitfalls in buying the PC3200 rather
than the PC2700 ?


None.

Seconded, all of the above.
Definately buy the PC3200 now.