Assistance with selecting a P4 motherboard that supports DDR333 (PC2700) memory

TonyFountain

Junior Member
Jun 18, 2002
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I'm looking at buying the components for my new toy. I've settled on the P4 2.2 GHZ 533 FSB 512K processor. I also want to get PC2700 memory but it appears not all the motherboards can support this. Can anyone point me to a few resources that will provide this information accurately? Or toss in your 2 cents :). It seems like a waste getting a processor with the 533 FSB if I can't get as close as possible to it with the memory.

Also, if anyone knows of any options regarding other DDR memory faster than the 2700 that works would be helpful too. I'd rather have the motherboard be the bottle neck instead of the memory.
 

oldfart

Lifer
Dec 2, 1999
10,207
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The 3 boards that look very good right now are the Asus P4B533-V, the Epox 4G4A+ and the Abit BG7. They will all run DDR333 @ 533 FSB using a 4:5 mem ratio and also DDR355 @ 533 FSB using a 3:4 mem ratio.
 

TonyFountain

Junior Member
Jun 18, 2002
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Thanks for the info. If you don't mind, this hardward noob is going to ask more questions that might seem pretty obvious to others ;). These are actually things I tried to research on my own and really didn't find or follow what I found:

Ok, 845E or 845G chipset? Comments, speculations? I plan on using this PC for gaming, digital imaging and general home use. The only main difference other than the 845G also takes SDRAM as well is the Intel Extreme Graphics. I already plan on buying a Geforce4 video card so I don't see the need for the 845G. Am I wrong? Will having this on top of the video card be of a benefit or will it be a waste?

Another thing I'm confused about is the 3:4 and 4:5 ratios I keep seeing. Can someone explain to me what this is?

Also, one more thing. According to the Intel website, the 845E and 845G chipsets only support DDR200/DDR266. Is this accurate? Do I need an education on this stuff or what?

Thanks for your time as I really appreciate it. I am looking at making this acquisition this week too :)
 

oldfart

Lifer
Dec 2, 1999
10,207
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845D/E have 1:1 and 3:4 ratios. 845G has 1:1, 4:5, 3:4.

Examples:

133 FSB x 2 = 266DDR speed (1:1) ratio
now use the 3:4 mem ratio option that some boards have. 4/3 = 1.3333.
266 x 1.3333 = 355 DDR speed.
With the 4:5 ratio of the 845G, 5/4 = 1.25
266 x 1.25 = 333 DDR speed.

Overclock to a 150 MHz FSB:

150 FSB x 2 = 300 DDR speed (1:1 ratio)
now use the 3:4 mem ratio option
300 x 1.3333 = 400 DDR speed.
With the 4:5 ratio of the 845G,
300 x 1.25 = 375 DDR speed.

If you dont want the 845G's graphics, you can get an 845D or 845E board and use the 3:4 ratio on your 533 FSB CPU and run DDR355. You have to be careful about which board you get since not all 845D/E boards can do this @ 533 FSB.
 

TonyFountain

Junior Member
Jun 18, 2002
13
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0
Originally posted by: oldfart
845D/E have 1:1 and 3:4 ratios. 845G has 1:1, 4:5, 3:4.

Examples:

133 FSB x 2 = 266DDR speed (1:1) ratio
now use the 3:4 mem ratio option that some boards have. 4/3 = 1.3333.
266 x 1.3333 = 355 DDR speed.
With the 4:5 ratio of the 845G, 5/4 = 1.25
266 x 1.25 = 333 DDR speed.

Overclock to a 150 MHz FSB:

150 FSB x 2 = 300 DDR speed (1:1 ratio)
now use the 3:4 mem ratio option
300 x 1.3333 = 400 DDR speed.
With the 4:5 ratio of the 845G,
300 x 1.25 = 375 DDR speed.

If you dont want the 845G's graphics, you can get an 845D or 845E board and use the 3:4 ratio on your 533 FSB CPU and run DDR355. You have to be careful about which board you get since not all 845D/E boards can do this @ 533 FSB.

 

Athlon4all

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2001
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I agree with Oldfart. Those 3 are the best.
Ok, 845E or 845G chipset? Comments, speculations? I plan on using this PC for gaming, digital imaging and general home use. The only main difference other than the 845G also takes SDRAM as well is the Intel Extreme Graphics. I already plan on buying a Geforce4 video card so I don't see the need for the 845G. Am I wrong? Will having this on top of the video card be of a benefit or will it be a waste?
The main reason for 845G over 845E is that the 845G features a updated memory controller and unoffical DDR333 support without ocing. The 845G is pretty much 5% faster than 845e when using PC2100, but when using DDR333, the 845G is usually 10-15% faster. IMO, the P4's performance is severly crippled when you use anything other than 850e+PC1066 or 845G/P4X333+DDR333.
 

TonyFountain

Junior Member
Jun 18, 2002
13
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Hey guys, thanks a million for your speedy responses. I think at this point I'm going to go with the 845G chipset if there is a way to disable the Extreme Graphics if it interferes with anything.
 

VSEKH

Member
Jun 10, 2002
151
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I have the Epox 4G4a motherboard(without raid). The onboard graphics will only be used if it detects a monitor connected to the onboard vga connector on the motherboard or else it will be disabled. Great motherboard!!!!!! Price was perfect.