Computer Q's

[Cagez]

When I'm looking at CPU's, theres the speed like 3GHz, then theres the front side bus which is lower - what is the FSB? Why don't they use that to describe the speed?

Lets say i wanted this mobo: http://www.asus.com/products/mb/socket478/p4c800-e_d/overview.htm

It says "Intel 875P Chipset, 800 MHz FSB", does that mean I have to use a "Intel 875P" chipset with 800MHz FSB, or does it mean I can go up to that?

At the bottom of the page, it has some info on RAM. Why is it that Kingston memory you can only have a max of 2 512 chips while others, like Winbond right under it, can have 4?

Thats all I have for now :D TIA :)

[Bruce]

Originally posted by Cagez

It says "Intel 875P Chipset, 800 MHz FSB", does that mean I have to use a "Intel 875P" chipset with 800MHz FSB, or does it mean I can go up to that?I think you misunderstand. The chipset they are talking about is what's on the motherboard. The processor, which I assume you're talking about, you'll have to buy separately. IF you buy a processor with an 800MHz FSB, then yes, you'll need a motherboard that supports an 800MHz FSB.


At the bottom of the page, it has some info on RAM. Why is it that Kingston memory you can only have a max of 2 515 chips while others, like Winbond right under it, can have 4?
Some RAM sticks have different densities. By all means, that list is not complete, rather it's just what has been tested for "optimal performance" (read: they get paid to say that ;)).

[Cagez]

Oh, I thought the chipset was the processor 'series' or something :biggrin2: Thanks bruce :)

[Cagez]

Hey, what about my question about FSB?

When I'm looking at CPU's, theres the speed like 3GHz, then theres the front side bus which is lower - what is the FSB? Why don't they use that to describe the speed?
Anyone? :)

[Bruce]

The FSB (Front-Side Bus) is a bus (a parallel circuit, which in this case, connects the main components of a computer, such as the RAM, CPU, etc.) via which the processor communicates witht he RAM and the chipset.

Now for example, the 3.00GHz P4 has a system bus of 800MHz. The P4 is quad-pumped, meaning it has 4 separate busses, so a 200MHz FSB * 4 gives it the 800MHz system bus speed it advertises.

The 3.0GHz (or the 3.0c as it is referred to) uses a multiplier setting of 14. So the multi (14 in this case) * FSB (200) gives you the processor speed of 3000MHz.

Now all P4c processors (the c indicates the 800MHz processor bus) will have the 200MHz FSB. The clock speed is determined by the multiplier setting. So the P4 2.6c would probably have a multi of 13, giving it 13*200=2600.

Now just to back up to the older generation of the P4 processors, they had either a 533MHz sytem bus (133 FSB) or a 400MHz system bus (100 FSB). The multiplier and actual clockspeed can be determiend using the same method.

Now I could also go on atalk about AMD now since they are quite a bit different, but since you seem more interested in Intel, I'll save that for another timel

Hope this makes things a bit more clear.

[tandoc]

explain AMD too!

we must help bruce increase his post count! :biggrin2:

[notnamed]

Oh, and Cagez...don't set your FSB (in the CMOS) to higher than your CPU can handle. It fries the BIOS and you have to reset it. Just so you know.

[Bruce]

More like the FSB setting is in the BIOS and there's a chance you may have to reset the CMOS. Nothing is going to fry though, not even the processor as Intel uses thermal protection that will throttle the speed or even shut it down before it gets too hot. Just so you know. ;)

But that's nonsense. It's the plain beauty of overclocking. If your RAM is fast enough, you can easily get a P4 2.4c up to 3GHz and beyond, and that's with just stock cooling.

[notnamed]

Well, I know that I had no clue how any of this works (and apparently still don't :o ) and set my FSB to 200...which was apparently much to large...
[AMD Athlon XP, 2200+]

[Bruce]

Well considering the default for the 2200+ is 133, I'd say so. I'm pretty sure the default multiplier is 14, so 200*14 = 2.8GHz, or 1GHz above stock. Of course that's not going to work. :p You're actually pretty lucky you didn't fry the chip. You want to start with small increment, like 3-4MHz (not 1000 :p), and then restart it and see how it is. You'll also want to keep an eye on temps. You may also need to raise the voltage a bit to keep it stable, but that will also raise the temp some more. Also, bear in mind the RAM is normally running the same speed as the processor. So if you had set your FSB at 200MHz, the RAM would have been running the same, which would have required at least PC3200. Now lastly, the 2200+ was never known as a good overclocker and is also one of the warmest because it is the fastest of it's type. All of the future processors are using a different core.

[notnamed]

So I've found...this thing overheats like nobody's business. Lucky my dad installed the window A/C in the kitchen a few days ago, the CPU's been under 50C recently. But I've seen it upwards of 60C...
I need another case fan.

Oops, sorry Cagez...stole your thread there ;)

[Bruce]

60°C? Last week my non-overclocked 1700+ was idling (wow, that's a really odd word...) at 74°C, and it reached 79°C while I was doing a little gaming. Right now it's 46°C though.

[Cagez]

You thread hijackers! :p Thanks bruce, explained it well :)

[notnamed]

Just as a last note Bruce, I'd heard that 70C was dangerous for my CPU.

[Bruce]

Well, some people will tell you that 60&degC is too. AMD explicitly state that their CPUs can handle up to 85°C, though I wouldn't want to run it that hot for extended periods of time.