Here is the question for all your computer hardware questions. Below are the rules.

what would be a safe overclock of a pentium4 1.8ghz? would i just need to change the fsb for that speed, or do i need to mess with anything else? my ratios for fsb/ram/agp/pci right now is 100/166/66/33, and i have an option to lock the agp/pci speed. my cpu runs at around 43°C

---
if this is the wrong kind of question just tell me and i'll delete it

You are fine temperature-wise. The only time when you should start to worry is when you hit 65°C. You should try to stay out of the 60°C area though.

What are the differences between the many types of memory on the market?

Do you mean the pc#### ones? Each one has its benifits. It depends on if you want fast RAM or Lots of RAM. PC3200 is the best for gaming running at 400Mhz with 512mb or less. While some lower pc#### versions have more memory like 1GB, but less Mhz.

Actually, the higher DDR versions are better if you also overclock

Their are 2 main types of RAM availible on the market at current times these are:
DDR RAM (Dual Data Rate Random Access Memory)
SDRAM (Syncrious Dynamic Random Access Memory). Conventional SDRAM will out put information from the stick of ram when the system clock falls but DDR RAM allows output on the rise and fall of its clock potentially doubling its output.

Always remember to buy ram which will run IN-SYNCE with your processors FSB. If not you will get an unstable system.

You wont always get an Instable system. I can run my cpu at 333fsb and my ram at 400mhz. I dont even get a difference. Its just that My timmings are MUCH better at 333

This message was edited by cheesysoapopra on Aug 22 2003.

You won't get an unstable system, but there will be no difference in performance with it faster than the FSB. If you set it to a lower speed, you can get better timings and you will see a better performance improvement.

Don't get cheepo ram. If you plan to overclock, get good timings on your RAM, or dual channel you RAM don't get generic RAM. You'll need two identical sticks of RAM to dual channel it. Generic RAM isn't always the same. It doesn't overclock well and usually gets bad timings.

I dont get when u people seem to firmly say "you wont get an unstable system" at work when my boss builds a computer he often uses the jetway nforce2 board. This never automatically adjusts the RAM to run in-sync with the processors FSB. This DOES result in an unstable system. Or is it jus me being silly thinking that every comp coming bak with crashing issues which are resolved are changing the ram to run in-sync not unstable.... I jus assumed when ur system randomly crashes it it unstable, silly me *taps self on head*

I ran my RAM at 433 MHZ. with my FSB at 333 and my Computer was perfectly stable. but the ram timming sucked.. so back to 333.

OK I have a question and you can correct my responce as needed. my brother has an Albatron Kx400+ with VIA chip set and running an AthlonXP 2400+ 266Mhz FSB (2.0Ghz), also running one stick 512mb Nanya PC2100 (266Mhz) at the moment he scores on 3DMark2001se just under 10700 points, according to the motherboard manufacture this board supports PC2700 (DDR333) and PC3200 (DDR400) though when I put in two sticks of 256mbx2=512 PC2700 and set the bios to DDR333 his 3DMark2001se score goes down to around 8500 points now my guess is that the Ram and FSB of the CPU should be in sync with each other but then when I think about my P4 system with 2.0Ghz 400Mgz FSB and my ram at DDR333 these being in sync isn't the case so what should I be looking for to solve this problem? keeping his system at 266Mhz syncronization is ok I was just looking to fool around with it and found out some thing I didn't Have an awnser for, hhhmm I could always put the DDR333 at 266Mhz in the bios and then overclock the system. Should the the ram and FSB be in sync?

They Really should be in sync... Something you can do is... Change the Multiplier on your Bro's PC. (lower it) Then Bump up the fsb to 333. And have the ram at 333 aslo. This probably wont add too much more heat. (mabye non at all) That way he has more FSB, and faster ram in sync

Well, I thought this was the best place for this.

This is my first computer build, and I'm excited to do it. I've been learning about building computers and the parts for several months now. First off, I want to show you guys my list. Will everything work well together? Do I have ram that will work on mobo?

List:


Case: Aluminum-Black Raidmax Scorpio ATX PC Case with 420 Watt P4/AMD Dual Fan Power Supply - 108.98 (excluding tax)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-7N400-L, nForce2 Ultra400 chipset - 85.00 N82E16813128194

Sound card: Current one (SB Live! 5.1)

Video Card: ATI All-In-Wonder RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB DDR 8X AGP RETAIL - 385.00 N82E16814102297

Hard Drive: Seagate 120GB 7200rpm EIDE Hard Drive Barracuda 7200.7 ST3120026A - 103.00 N82E16822148022

Memory: CORSAIR 512MB PC3200 VALUE SELECT. VS512MB400 DDR RAM - OEM x2- 184.00 N82E16820145026

Processor: AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU RETAIL - 92.00 N82E16819103379

CD Drive/Copier: Currently owned.

DVD Drive: SONY DDU1612/B2 BLACK 16X DVD ROM Drive (48X CD-ROM Speed) - OEM 37.99 N82E16827131003

Power Supply: Included (Raidmax 420 watt)

Case Fans: Comes with it (5 x 80mm)

Cpu Fan: COOLERMASTER AERO 7+ - 34.99 N82E16835103135

FLoppy Drive: SAMSUNG 1.44MB BLACK FLOPPY DRIVE Model# SFD321B/LBL - OEM, DRIVE ONLY - 8.50 N82E16821103203

Operating System: MS Windows XP Home Edition Complete package 1 user STD CD - 127.00 http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/tech4less/N09-00048?mv_pc=pricegrabber

Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 3 - 5.99 N82E16835100003

1200ish

If you wish to see the product, goto newegg.com and type in the numbers after each of the products in the search box and it will come up.

Now heres the core of my question, in what order should one put together his system like mine? What order should I put the pieces in?

Thank to any help given.