Are specifications of Motherboard important?

[WaiWai]

Are specifications of Motherboard important?

1. FSB / RAM speed limits
In motherboard specifications, it will specify the max FSB and RAM speed support (eg 1333 FSB and DDR2 667). Nevertheless, as long as the motherboard supports overclocking, it appears I can overclock FSB more than 1333 and RAM more than 800.

So what do all those figures really mean? What are they really for if I can simply ignore the figures and pass the limits?

If I buy a DDR2 800 RAM, am I able to use in a motherboard which says to support DDR2 667 only? If so, how will the RAM run (being underclocked to 667??) ?

What if I overclock the RAM, am I able to let my RAM run at a speed higher than 667?


2. 3 or more monitors
If I want to use 3+ monitors, I believe I need 2 graphic cards, isn't it? If so, do I need a motherboard with two PCIe x16 slots to install 2 graphic cards? What about other PCIe slots like PCIe x1 slots?

3. PCIe x1
What's the use of PCIe x1 slots? Are PCIe x1 cards common? Are they cheaper or dearer than the older PCI cards?
I would like to get a modem card (to fax with my computer) and Ethernet card. Should I go for old PCI or the new PCIe?

4. RAM compatibility list
I'm a bit worried that the RAM I purchase can't work nicely with my motherboard. I wonder if I should strictly limit my choices to those which are in my motherboard "RAM compatibility list".

Question about RAM model number: Take A-Data DDR2 800 for example, there are several models available even for the same RAM speed. Will there be cases where a model from brand A can cause compatibility problems while another model from brand B won't? I just wonder if I should take the model number into account when I try to pick a compatible RAM for my motherboard.


My PC Info which may be helpful:
CPU: Intel E2180
RAM: 2GB or 2GBx2; DDR2 667 or 800
Motherboard: not decided yet. Socket LGA 775
HDD: Western Digital WD6400AAKS (640GB, SATA2)
Display card: not decided yet. Perhaps HD2600Pro
Monitor: not decided yet. Two cheap 1680x1050 monitors

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: WaiWai
Are specifications of Motherboard important?

1. FSB / RAM speed limits
In motherboard specifications, it will specify the max FSB and RAM speed support (eg 1333 FSB and DDR2 667). Nevertheless, as long as the motherboard supports overclocking, it appears I can overclock FSB more than 1333 and RAM more than 800.

So what do all those figures really mean? What are they really for if I can simply ignore the figures and pass the limits?

If I buy a DDR2 800 RAM, am I able to use in a motherboard which says to support DDR2 667 only? If so, how will the RAM run (being underclocked to 667??) ?

What if I overclock the RAM, am I able to let my RAM run at a speed higher than 667?

they are for the 99% that don't overclock.
generally you can use faster rated RAM on boards that don't officially support that speed but you may well have to run them at a slower fsb than rated (although then you can probably tighten the timings).

2. 3 or more monitors
If I want to use 3+ monitors, I believe I need 2 graphic cards, isn't it? If so, do I need a motherboard with two PCIe x16 slots to install 2 graphic cards? What about other PCIe slots like PCIe x1 slots?

Matrox have just launched quad head gfx cards so no, it is possible to run 4 monitors from 1 gfx card.
If running 2 gfx cards you can run 1 PCI-E & 1 PCI if you wanted or 2 PCI-E etc.
I doubt that there are any PCI-E gfx cards that will fit into a x1 slot (could be wrong though)

3. PCIe x1
What's the use of PCIe x1 slots? Are PCIe x1 cards common? Are they cheaper or dearer than the older PCI cards?
I would like to get a modem card (to fax with my computer) and Ethernet card. Should I go for old PCI or the new PCIe?

network/wifi cards, TV cards, sound cards.
Not yet as common as PCI & dearer because they are new & haven't had their development & production costs written down yet.

4. RAM compatibility list
I'm a bit worried that the RAM I purchase can't work nicely with my motherboard. I wonder if I should strictly limit my choices to those which are in my motherboard "RAM compatibility list".

it's impossible for any mobo company to test every type of RAM & config on all their mobos, all that they can do is try the most common ones & say that we know that these work & those don't.
It's quite possible (indeed probable) that RAM untested by the mobo mfr will work as well.

 

[piasabird]

Pay attention to the Voltage Ratings also. Some motherboards still are limited to 1.8v DDR2 DIMMs.

 

[WaiWai]

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
they are for the 99% that don't overclock.
generally you can use faster rated RAM on boards that don't officially support that speed but you may well have to run them at a slower fsb than rated (although then you can probably tighten the timings).

So the specifications on motherboard is just a reference. I can go over the limits by overclocking.

I ask this because I wonder whether there is any motherboard which states it supports 1333 FSB / DDR2 667 only, but actually I'm able to push my CPU/RAM to 1500 FSB or DDR2 750/800 AND the motherboard will still run fine.

If so, I'm open to more "better and cheaper" choices.

Matrox have just launched quad head gfx cards so no, it is possible to run 4 monitors from 1 gfx card.
If running 2 gfx cards you can run 1 PCI-E & 1 PCI if you wanted or 2 PCI-E etc.
I doubt that there are any PCI-E gfx cards that will fit into a x1 slot (could be wrong though)

So I have the following options:
* 1 Matrox card <-- but this card is very expensive (at least US$200+), not feasible!
* 2 PCIe x16 cards + one motherboard with 2 PCIe x16 <-- It seems I can find such a motherboard at a cheap price. The cards are cheap too and I'm sure each is capable of supporting 2 monitors with 1680x1050 each.
* PCI graphic card (if available at reasonable cost)
* PCIe x1 graphic card (if available at reasonable cost)

PCI / PCIe x1 options are good and more flexible but... I wonder if they are capable of supporting 2 monitors with 1680x1050 each. Does anyone know?

it's impossible for any mobo company to test every type of RAM & config on all their mobos, all that they can do is try the most common ones & say that we know that these work & those don't.
It's quite possible (indeed probable) that RAM untested by the mobo mfr will work as well.

I don't think they have a list of "not working RAM".

Yes I know there's a chance that an untested RAM can run fine on the motherboard. But is it safer to just buy the RAM in their compatibility list? I would also try to search in forums etc. for people who use the same motherboard, and see what RAMs they use. This should broaden my range of choices.

It's somewhat a risk and uncertainty concern.

Should I make an effort to ensure my RAM will be compatible with my motherboard before purchase?

Or is it actually a very low risk so I shouldn't bother at all. Just go and get the RAM I like?

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: WaiWai

I ask this because I wonder whether there is any motherboard which states it supports 1333 FSB / DDR2 667 only, but actually I'm able to push my CPU/RAM to 1500 FSB or DDR2 750/800 AND the motherboard will still run fine.

pretty sure that any mobo with official 1333fsb CPU support will also support higher rated RAM than DR2 667.
If you are asking can you push 667 RAM to DDR2 750/800 that will depend upon your RAM.
nVidia & ATi chipsets allow you to unlink the RAM bus speed from the CPU bus speed though.