Answered: If CPU speed = Multiplier × FSB, why is the FSB rating on new processors so high?

[coremortality]

Title pretty much explains it.

I haven't built a new system in 5 years, and all the new processor ratings, speeds, FSB speeds, etc. is really confusing me.

Any explanation on how a CPU with a 10x multiplier on a 200 mhz FSB would be labeled as having a 800mhz FSB is most welcome.

 

[MarcVenice]

the FSB is qaudpumped, so 1333 = 4x333. 333*8 = 2.67ghz Wikipedia is your friend for more detailed information. Or some forumgo-er who could explain it without confusing you more then you are allready, like I would.

 

[coremortality]

That helped quite a bit actually, thanks. Google did the rest once I entered in quad pumped. Now if i could only get my ram FSB question answered in my other thread.

 

[JAG87]

ill add my 2c for clarity

there are 200 cycles per second. data is transfered on the rising edge, on the high state(1), on the falling edge and on the low state (0)

so technically you are transferring 4 bits per clock cycle, hence 800 Mhz FSB QDR (quad data rate), or 1066 FSB QDR. technically your fsb is working at 200 Mhz, but for market terms, its better to say 800 Mhz FSB than 200 Mhz FSB 4-bits per cycle. When measuring performance you want to keep numbers as simple as possible so people understand what they are buying.

 

[MarcVenice]

What question ? I can't find your other thread

 

[coremortality]

Thanks for the further clarification, JAG.

Now one last question is have is regarding DDR2 ram. I'm planning on buying the E4400. Since it's FSB is 200mhz, is 400 Mhz DDR2 ram the minimum require RAM?

Everyone seems to be suggesting I buy 533 or even 800mhz DDR2 ram and I'm trying to understand why.

 

[MarcVenice]

ddr2 400 would do just fine. Running the ram asynchronously with your FSB barely if at all yields a performance boost. But since ddr800 is HELLA cheap right now, and will allow you to overclock rather easy * you could raise the FSB to 400 and still run 1:1 with your ram * it's not a bad investment.

You will also most likely be able to use it for any future cpu you buy. With ddr2 400 you will be limited to 800fsb cpu's, but the newer cpu's are allready at 1333fsb and will take a performance hit with ddr2 400, or might not even support that ram at all. Some older mobo's, like the p5n-e sli only support 533/667/800mhz ddr 2.

Just something to think about. One thing is for sure, ddr2 1066 is not worth it, at all. Timings don't matter to much either. You're not gonna get any extra fps from having 4-4-4-12 timings on ddr 800 versus 5-5-5-15.

 

[coremortality]

Awesome, that explains everything. Thanks a bunch guys.

I'm going to be using the ASRock 4CoreDual-VSTA as my MOBO so that helps shed some light on what ram I should be looking for.

 

[MarcVenice]

Why that board ? You have an AGP card that needs using, and will be replaced by a pci-e videocard later on? I dunno man, theres far better mobo's out there then that one. How much do you plan on spending on the mobo ?

 

[coremortality]

Exactly what you said, currently have an AGP EVGA GeForce 6800 GT, I've got about $300-$350 to spend on a temporary upgrade and then I'm going to save up for a PCI-E card.

 

[MarcVenice]

I'd personaly wait a little longer and buy a GOOD motherboard, and decent cpu, then to spend 300$ or so now on something that's only going to tide you over for a little while ... For 500$ you could get a decent mobo + cpu + ram + videocard. Hell, 400$ would buy you 100$ mobo, 2gb ram, + e4400 or so, leaves 50$ for videocard. Sell the 6800gt, and you've got a little more to spend.

 

[coremortality]

Now you've got me re-thinking things a bit,

Now I'm looking into:

EVGA 256-P2-N761-AR GeForce 8600GTS 256MB
$144.99

Intel C2D E4400
$125.99

Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800
$69.99

but I'm unsure of what motherboard.

 

[RussianSensation]

8600GTS really sucks for gaming especially when you can pick up X1950XT 512mb GeCube for $170 on Newegg.

 

[coremortality]

I've had some really bad experiences with ATI cards in the past and with the AMD buyout and everything I would rather stick with nVidia based cards (call me an nVidia fan boy if you want, its just a preference)

 

[Capitalizt]

If you want to game, don't skimp on the RAM.

DDR400 is too slow IMO. Get some DDR667 at least. It's so cheap these days, there is no reason not to.

 

[rerickson]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
I'd personaly wait a little longer and buy a GOOD motherboard, and decent cpu, then to spend 300$ or so now on something that's only going to tide you over for a little while ... For 500$ you could get a decent mobo + cpu + ram + videocard. Hell, 400$ would buy you 100$ mobo, 2gb ram, + e4400 or so, leaves 50$ for videocard. Sell the 6800gt, and you've got a little more to spend.

Sound advice MarcV, and thats what I'm doing... the wait is hard mostly because the saving time is long for me, but I know I'll be much more happy with better components all at once. for the moment I'll keep using my dated P4 3.2 northy and my x800xl.
Not only will I have a better experience by getting all better components at once, I also now can get more bang for my buck as prices keep dropping on some things. However I?m currently worried about RAM starting to cost more again...

 

[JustaGeek]

Buying the "dual" series ASRock MB is not a bad idea.

I did that last September with 775Dual-VSTA, since I had just purchased the BFG 7800GS AGP in April 2006. I subsequently upgraded to P5N-E SLI and EVGA 7950GT in December, and rebuilt the ASRock MB for my wife in April 2007 with another E6600.

She is still happily playing her Sims 2 with great framerates at 1280x1040, and the $300 7800GS is still serving us well.

If you still have a good AGP VC, DDR memory and 20-pin PS, go for it!

You can gradually update your components when new motherboards and Video Cards come up at the end of the year.

It will be more economical, and will allow you to keep your old system - just in case...

 

[lyssword]

Because it's quad-pumped on intel processors, and AMD has some weird FSB where cpu speed is independant of FSB.

 

[MarcVenice]

Don't buy a 8600gts, please, you're shooting yourself in the foot, especially since you seem to be on a tight budget. If you don't want an ATI card, then buy something like a 7900gs. The 8600gts trades blows with the 7900gs which is actually ridiculous. Even more ridiculous is the 1950xt 256mb KILLING the 7900gs and the 8600gts, by about 30-40% !

 

[coremortality]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'm just going to save up another couple of months and then buy. Thanks again.