Probably a dumb question about RAM...

[pyrate83]

Ok, so I have a processor with 533mhz fsb and I have a gig of pc2100 RAM. Since 266 + 266mhz equals 532mhz does this mean if I were to eventually go to pc2700 that my processor wouldn't be able to utilize the 333mhz RAM to it's full advantage since it's only got a 533mhz fsb?

Also, another dumb Q but you would have to have a special mobo to run two processors right?

[pixel]

You are correct I believe. If you upgrade the memory, it will give a slight boost, but the processor won't be able to utilise it all as you said.

Yes, you would also need a dual processor mobo to run two processors. (The processors are pretty expensive though. If you are thinking of upgrading get a P4 with HT, this "ACTS" like a dual processor, and gives a boost. Also, I don't know where it stands about upgrading a dual cpu PC, if you can just buy one new CPU, or buy two of the same when upgrading. But it would cost big $$.)

[pixel]

Sorry, I'm not sure if you were wanting this too, but I'm sure you know it is only Intel xeons that can be used on a dual processor system. (NOT 2 P4).

[pyrate83]

Very helpful information pixel....although I would like to have the p4HT rather than just my current p4 which is plenty fast, to do an HT processor I would have to upgrade my bios, mobo, etc. right because a mobo meant to run a single processor is just that. It wouldn't be able to take a HT processor even though Windows would automatically recognize it.

[pixel]

I don't know if that is a statement or a question.

If your mobo has an 845 chipset it won't work with HT. If it is 865 or 875 it will.

If your mobo is an 845, you should be able to use a processor with HT, but it will not enable HT.

This means you could buy a new P4 just now, then later buy an 865 or (preferrably for vid editing) an 875 chipset mobo.

[pyrate83]

Well I do have the 845 chipset now but you're saying all I would need to do is buy a mobo with the 865chipset and then I could use an HT P4.

Probably more money than it's worth, but thanks again for your insight pixel!

[pixel]

Yes, an 865 chipset will work.

This means you can use your current PC, which should be by no means slow, for surfing the internet and various other tasks.

Luckily I never had your problem, because once I decided to upgrade from my 1GHz P3, I decided to jump in the deepend and buy an 875 chipset mobo. I am now also going to be upgrading to a P4 with HT (2.8GHz).

The only other issue I am now facing (and that you will too) is getting more RAM. I want 1GHz and will have to pay out about £150 for some cheap PC3200. (This is why you need dual channel for HT, it gives you 400MHzx2 = 800MHz, the same as the processor.)

Unless you are desperately wanting to upgrade for vid encoding or gaming, it is just more money than its worth at the moment, so its your call.

[pyrate83]

Yeah, thanks pixel. Well, I mean it really would only be to benefit my gaming experience which in no means is slow at the moment. My PC actually produces the same or sometimes better graphics than my xbox and never slows down on me. Maybe an upgrade to a faster graphics card would be in order though because I am just not "sold" on the whole HT thing.

[pixel]

Yeah, thanks pixel. Well, I mean it really would only be to benefit my gaming experience which in no means is slow at the moment. My PC actually produces the same or sometimes better graphics than my xbox and never slows down on me. Maybe an upgrade to a faster graphics card would be in order though because I am just not "sold" on the whole HT thing.

Yep, that's what I was going to say next if you just wanted a PC for gaming.

My PC is also pretty fast (they should be better than the xbox/ps2 because their processors are pretty old now).

I have pretty good graphics, but not as good as I would like, then I asked someone about their graphics card, which is a lot newer than mine, and they said it improved their graphics a lot, but they had a pretty slow PC.

So, a new graphics card should improve your system if gaming is all you want it for.

[pixel]

I forgot to mention that I am currently running the same spec processor as you.

I will be getting a 2.8GHz P4 with HT. I will let you know how good it is.

I know it isn't as good a comparison as comparing my P4 2.4GHz 533MHz to a P4 2.4GHz 800MHz, but there should hopefully be some difference when running multiple applications which i seem to have trouble with at the moment.

I will let you know about the games as well. Currently I only usually play mafia and with the settings at full it stutters, so I will let you know if the processor improves it, or a new graphics card would be better.

[pyrate83]

I appreciate it pixel. I'll tell you though. Just keeping my current graphics card up to date with the drivers has vastly improved my gaming from where it was when I got the system. Also, DirectX 9.0 has given me a big boost when playing games that support DirectX 9.

Keep me posted! :P

[pixel]

pyrate83, I told you I'd give you feedback :P

First of all, the increase in speed is unbelievable.

I tried re-encoding a DVD file in TMPGEnc, it did it in almost real-time with CBR. These are the exact specs:

Input file: 720x576, 8000kbps vid, 256kbps aud.
TMPGEnc settings, 9 bits DC, motion estimate search, default quantization matrix, insert i-frame.
Output file: 720x576, 5000kbps vid, 224kbps aud.

As with hyper-threading, it is also a real boost. I was encoding a file to Divx using VDub (same DVD file as used in TMPGEnc), with it set a highest priority, I was still able to connect to the internet and open folders without any lagging in loading the windows.

As for gaming (have only tried it with mafia settings at full), starts off great, brilliant detail that I never got before, but after about a minute in, it all slowed down, not to the rate it did with my old processor, but to an almost unplayable game speed.

In conclusion, a HT processor will boost almost everything due to the hyper-threading feature and faster FSB rate, but the only real way to get improved gaming is with a new graphics card.

So pyrate, it looks like the best way for your gaming needs is a new graphics card.

[flaninacupboard]

pyrate, to give you an idea, your Gfx card is just off the bottom of this chart


and with fancy filtering turned on, does even worse here


I'd say a new Gfx card would give you a much bigger boost than a HT P4!!