Intel 850 motherboard help

[frieday]

Im considering replacing the processor in this board.

Just a very simple question I think I already know the answer but does the intel 850 motherboard basically 'max' out at 400 mhz fsb? Im wanting to replace an old 1.3 ghz pentium 4 processor (400 mhz fsb)

Does this mean it wouldnt be able to handle a pentium 4 2.8 ghz processor with a 533 mhz fsb?

Thinking about just buying a new motherboard all together because the 850 uses rdram which is old obviously and limits me to just 2 GB ram and im not sure that would be enough memory to handle HD video which is the goal im trying to attain in building/upgrading my current system...

Appreciate any guidance here

Thank You

[redwudz]

I think you would be much better off with a new motherboard. Even many of the newer Micro-ATX MBs can handle HD and would save you the cost of a graphics card. Most graphics cards now are PCI-E, so older cards won't work. The graphics card is very important for HD. RAM doesn't have much to do with HD playback.

The amount of RAM needed depends more on the OS you plan to use. XP is fine with 2GB. For Vista, 4GB is a better choice. If you plan to do HD encoding, such as H.264, a quad core may be a good choice, even at a lower clock speed. 2.6Ghz CPUs are priced fairly low. If you are moving up from a 1.3Ghz Pentium, a 2.6Ghz quad would give you a huge improvement in performance.

But someone else here may be able to give you a more specific answer about your Intel 850 chipset MB. What brand and model of MB is it? The 850 was used in quite a few MBs.

[frieday]

oh I think its a Sonic WMT-LX motherboard... (very old)

whatever came in an hp pavilion 7960

Think this is the motherboard I have http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph06628&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&product=58462

According to that I can only move up to a 2.0 Ghz P4... and with rdram being ancient and a pain to use Ive heard... Think I should look into a new motherboard.

Anyone recommend a motherboard and processor I could get that would at least be an improvement to what I have for about 150 bucks?

[redwudz]

If you don't mind AMD, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706 About $100US.
And a MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128394 About $80US, but may be worth it.

Just one suggestion, though. Others may have some better ideas.

[frieday]

well thank you for the ideas I will certainly take a look at those items

Im definitly not in a rush, Ive never built a PC before but think it just requires some patience.

[frieday]

I like both the MB and Processor, very nice suggestions.

However can someone clear this up I have read this MB only has 1 IDE slot and I would like to at least be able to transplant my current dvdrom and dvdburner drive to the new tower (theyre both IDE)

According to this manufacturers page (http://www.gigabyte.us/Products/Motherboard/Products_Spec.aspx?ProductID=3143) this motherboard has "1x IDE Connector supporting ATA-133/100/66/33 and up to 2 IDE devices"

Does this mean that theres One IDE Cable that basically comes from the motherboard, and then splits into two seperate IDE connectors that would enable me to install both my burner and dvdrom drive?

[redwudz]

Yes, one IDE connector for two IDE devices, a Master and a Slave. This is about standard on most motherboards these days. IDE (PATA) devices are being phased out and replaced with SATA. But it does have plenty of SATA connectors for SATA drives. You will also notice usually two PCI slots, sometimes three. Most motherboards now have decent audio chips and on-board LAN and lots of USB ports, and sometimes HDMI and FireWire. Not a lot of need for add-on PCI cards.