A few questions.......

[Celtman]

As you may have noticed, I've posted a few topics here - I promise this is the last one (for now)

Anway, before I go off and buy upgrades for my system, there are a few things I am unsure about.


1. If I buy a motherboard supporting DDR2 RAM, can it take ordinary DDR?

2. The motherboard I am considering buying says it takes RAM speeds DDR2 533, 667 and 800. Will a 900Mhz stick (http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/116782/rb/0) work on this board?

3. The motherboard it ATX format, will this fit in all ATX cases?

4. The motherboard comes bundled with an AMD X2 6000+ processor (@3Ghz), which has L1 Cache 128Kb L2 Cache 2x256Kb. Is this better than an AMD X2 5600+ with L1 Cache 128Kb L2 Cache 2x 1Mb (@2.8Ghz) - I need to know which to get. Link to motherboard CPU bundle: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMD-6000X2-AM2-DU ... dZViewItem

5. Does the 8800GTS 640Mb version use 2x PCI? If so is it 2x PCI express or 1x Express and 1x 32 bit? Also, which brand of card is best?

6. Will a 550W PSU take all this (with 4 case fans, and a huge amount of room inside for air circulation)

Sorry for asking so much - but I'm not great with the latest PC stuff  :-?


Thanks

[richardd43]

1. No

2. probably but someone that knows more about memory might want to answer this one

3. Yes

4. The AM2 6000 has the same processor cache as the 5600
Model Number: 6000+
Frequency: 3.0 Ghz
L1 Cache (Instruction + Data) per core:
128KB (64KB + 64KB)
L2 Cache per core: 1MB

5. The board has 1 PCI-E x16 graphics slot, 1 PCI-E x1 slot and 4 standard PCI slots.
the 8800 will go in the PCI-E x16 slot (the big black slot pictured on the motherboard)

6. Probably not

[ctjoyce]

As you may have noticed, I've posted a few topics here - I promise this is the last one (for now)

Anway, before I go off and buy upgrades for my system, there are a few things I am unsure about.


1. If I buy a motherboard supporting DDR2 RAM, can it take ordinary DDR?

No you can't

2. The motherboard I am considering buying says it takes RAM speeds DDR2 533, 667 and 800. Will a 900Mhz stick (http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/116782/rb/0) work on this board?

Yes but its crappy RAM. Use Corsair XMS2 PC2-6400C4

3. The motherboard it ATX format, will this fit in all ATX cases?

Yes.

4. The motherboard comes bundled with an AMD X2 6000+ processor (@3Ghz), which has L1 Cache 128Kb L2 Cache 2x256Kb. Is this better than an AMD X2 5600+ with L1 Cache 128Kb L2 Cache 2x 1Mb (@2.8Ghz) - I need to know which to get. Link to motherboard CPU bundle: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMD-6000X2-AM2-DU ... dZViewItem

Screw AMD, get a C2D. an E6600 or E6420 will do you much better than the AMD 5 or 6K series.

5. Does the 8800GTS 640Mb version use 2x PCI? If so is it 2x PCI express or 1x Express and 1x 32 bit? Also, which brand of card is best?

It doesn't need two slots to plug in, its just that the heatsink on it is so large that you need two slots open so that you can fit in in your case without bending anything. It is PCI Express x16, X32 refers to two x16 lanes running together, this is new SLi. eVGA or BFG Tech seem to be putting out the best 8800s, I plan to go with eVGA.

6. Will a 550W PSU take all this (with 4 case fans, and a huge amount of room inside for air circulation)

No you need at least a 600W. I would suggest a 750W.

Cheers
Cameron

[john_uk]

wow #3 is possibly the most retarded question ever asked

[MOUSY]

wow #3 is possibly the most retarded question ever asked

No need for that dude... ... we all have our own questions at some time that are seemingly super-obvious to others...

[Celtman]

wow #3 is possibly the most retarded question ever asked

Yeah I kinda realise that now



Also, how hard is it to fit a PSU?


Edit:

Ctjoyce, what is a C2D?

Another Edit:

Found this board with a 6600 bundled and 2GB DDR2 Ram (wont use this though) - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6600-INTEL-CORE-2 ... dZViewItem

Any good? Or should I be looking at another board? Takes DDR2 667/533 max 4GB- will this take those corsair sticks ctjoyce mentioned?

Thanks

[Nick N]

Get it while its on sale AND has a 75 dollar rebate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820148069

Original Price: $224.99

Final cost: 89.00

Thats some of the best memory money can buy and you will not find a better deal. Its better than Corsair for Asus motherboards and costs less with the rebate

Compare: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145033


I recommend the P5K deluxe motherboard. That way you can upgrade the processor next year without having to replace the entire motherboard and memory

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131182

this is thr stripped down model which is cheaper but come with a performance cost too

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductRe ... 6813131180

Those will allow you to upgrade to the 45nm Intel processors next year without having to replace the entire system

Another option: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813128048


I would stay with Asus

[Celtman]

Thanks V much for that Nick, but perhaps I should have mentioned I live in the UK, so those Newegg deals are useless for me

Thanks anyway, might get that board now if you can get here in the UK

[Delta_]

Thanks V much for that Nick, but perhaps I should have mentioned I live in the UK, so those Newegg deals are useless for me

Thanks anyway, might get that board now if you can get here in the UK

This looks like one of them:
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/129126

Overclockers has them both:
P5k
P5k Deluxe

[justpassingthrough]

Thanks V much for that Nick, but perhaps I should have mentioned I live in the UK, so those Newegg deals are useless for me

Thanks anyway, might get that board now if you can get here in the UK

Google is your friend

Deal time

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... =MY-093-CR


http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... subcat=913


this week only on the memory


Intel is dropping prices next month on processors. The QX6700 falls to 549. The Q6600 is suppose to go down to 249 or somewhere around there. The new 1333FSB intel processors will also be released.

If I was going to do it now I would probably go for at least the Q6600.. and you have a SALE! http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... subcat=793

If not, I would not go less than E6700
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... subcat=793


FSX is all about CPU speed and cores. The faster and more cores, the better the result.


I have not decided if I am going to wait till August or not. If I do, I will go for the X38 chipset motherboard due out in August since it will do 2x x16 PCI crossfire (currently only 2 x8 is supported), and probably running the QX6700. If I cant wait, it will be what NickN recommended. I already have a PC Power and Cooling 1Kw PSU so I am good to go for years on power


Side note: He told me to put the memory in the BLACK SLOTS on the Asus P5k motherboards. Asus has not announced it yet but they designed the BLACK slots for super-high clocks on memory. NickN has had that board since April and was testing it for Asus




I would never buy expensive electronics off of Ebay. Good luck getting it replaced if something is wrong. It alsways best to buy from an established retailer with a warantee when you are spending a chunk of cash like that. Ebay is fine for low price quickies where if you get taken the impact is not so bad. A system build is not cheap and should be considered carefully where the parts come from.


EDIT: It looks like you can get them directly from Crucial UK for the same price: http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/mpartsp ... 36A5CA7304  

So it seems the price is the normal Crucial price for the memory without OCuK markup.


Micron chips are the best for Asus motherboards. Crucial is owned by Micron. I have been reading Corsair does not clock as well in the P35 chipset boards.

[congo]

FSX is all about CPU speed and cores. The faster and more cores, the better the result.  

I must be way behind the times........ FSX is using multiple cores effectively? If so, does it do so under WinXP?

[Nick N]

[quote][quote]
FSX is all about CPU speed and cores. The faster and more cores, the better the result.

[Celtman]

Thanks for all the links guys.

Only problem is, my budget wont stretch to take the 6700 or Quad cores, especially if I buy that motherboard you reccommend too. Think Ill stick with the E6600, it's in my budget  :D

[congo]

FSX can use up to 256 cores now with SP1 installed (Two Hundred and Fifty Six)

Finally some ammunition to upgrade with  ;)

[ATI_7500]

FSX likes high FSB/Memory frequencies.