Good DDR 333 mobo for a P4?

[Flightsim]

I plan on building a new computer with a 2.0GHz Pentium 4, Samsung PC2700, and a GeoForce 4. What motherboard should I buy? I don't need many extra features and I don't think I'll overclock much(maybe just the memory), but I do need a mobo that supports DDR 333. I want to buy a motherboard for around $100. So far I am thinking about buying an Asus P4S533($107 at newegg.com). Is this a good choice? Also(just curious), I've seen other types of DDR(PC3000 and PC3200), but I haven't heard of any motherboards that support them. Are there any mobos that support PC3000 and PC3200? Is PC3200 much faster than PC2700? Thanks for any advice.

 

[mike9390]

That 2.0 P4 uses a 100mhz FSB so you can't run the memory at 333mhz at default settings using an Intel motherboard. The only way to get DDR333 on an Intel motherboard is if you buy a 133Mhz CPU or overclock that 2.0 to 133 and use a Intel 845G. On the 845E some can run the memory at 354 if you have a 133 FSB. The P4S533 is a Sis 645DX which can run the memory at 333 or 400. PC2700 is DDR333, PC3000 is DDR370, and PC3200 is DDR400. Be very careful of which DDR you buy. Not all ram is created equal. Most of that PC3000 and PC3200 is even as good as the best PC2700 which is Samsung PC2700.

 

[Flightsim]

That 2.0 P4 uses a 100mhz FSB so you can't run the memory at 333mhz at default settings using an Intel motherboard.

I didn't mention that I will get the Northwood 2.0GHz Pentium 4, but doesn't it use a 400MHz FSB?

 

[mike9390]

Yes it is a 400Mhz FSB but that's "quad pumped" 4 x 100. The new Pentium 4's have a 533Mhz FSB 133 x 4. I know it's confusing, I was confused also the first time I say a Pentium 4 BIOS cause it ran on a 100Mhz bus with a 20x multiplier. That's how a 2.0 works, 20 x 100. The the new 2.26 and 2.53 for example work at 17 x 133 and 19 x 133.

And to add to the confusion even more Pentium 4's come in 3 different models. The old Williamette were made on a .18 micron process and have 256K cache and 400Mhz FSB. They stopped at 2.0Ghz. The new Northwoods are made on a .13 micron process and have 512K cache and a 400Mhz FSB, they start at 1.6Ghz and are desinated with a "A" as in the 1.6A that you've heard about that is an overclocking champ. And final model is the "B" which are Northwoods with 533Mhz FSB.

 

[VSEKH]

Be careful with the P4S533 if you try to run a Geforce4 board and WinXP. I have not see anyone get this to work. Only on Win2k Pro will you get a Geforce4 to work on this motherboard. I believe the problem is with WinXP and will be fixed when they release service pack 1 as I read on another thread in a different forum.

 

[kovax]

Hi Mike 9390,

I am in a similar situation, just before buying a comp without knowing too much about them.
I know, I am going to get a P4 1.6A, with DDR mobo.
I definitely dont want to OC.
So what is the best (PC3200-300-2700-2400-2100-1600) memory for this cpu which makes sense without OC?
Thanks for any reply
Kovax

 

[VSEKH]

PC2100 is the best DDR memory to get if you are not going to OC this 1.6A CPU and you are going to use an Intel chipset. Mushkin has CAS2-2-2 memory chips that would work best. If you are going to purchase the Asus P4S533 with the SIS645DX chipset, PC3200 would be best because the bios lets you select CPU\DRAM ratio to 3:6, allowing you to utilize the highest memory bandwidth. The only catch is I have not been able to get a Geforce4 TI4600 card to work on this motherboard using WINXP Pro and neither has anyone else. The Geforce3 cards & older cards will work.

These are the things to consider.
Good luck

 

[kovax]

Thank you four your help,

By
Kovax

 

[Flightsim]

Be careful with the P4S533 if you try to run a Geforce4 board and WinXP. I have not see anyone get this to work. Only on Win2k Pro will you get a Geforce4 to work on this motherboard. I believe the problem is with WinXP and will be fixed when they release service pack 1 as I read on another thread in a different forum.

This is true?:frown: I really want a motherboard that supports DDR 333, Windows XP, and a GeoForce 4. What would work for me? I need some suggestions. Also, how soon will that service pack be released?

 

[VSEKH]

The service pack will probably be released by the end of July, which is a long time in my book. I am dying to use the TI4600. I have decided to order an Epox 4G4A motherboard since this board will work with DDR333, WinXP Pro, and TI4600. I will put the P4S533 board away until Asus comes out with a bios update or when the service pack from Microsoft comes out for XP.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

dont listen to this idiot. I have the same mobo and tried my friend's GF4 4200 and 4600 in this mobo. Works perfectly. this guy is obviously a newb who doesn't know how to put a computer together. Just use the latest reference drivers (29.42) and all is well. It really irritates me when people make such defining statements when they can't get something to work.

 

[Flightsim]

The service pack will probably be released by the end of July, which is a long time in my book. I am dying to use the TI4600. I have decided to order an Epox 4G4A motherboard since this board will work with DDR333, WinXP Pro, and TI4600. I will put the P4S533 board away until Asus comes out with a bios update or when the service pack from Microsoft comes out for XP.

End of July is a very long time to me too. I can't stand my old computer. How does that Epox 4G4A work out and what does it cost? I plan on using Windows XP Home instead of Pro. Will any other mobos work for me???

 

[Flightsim]

dont listen to this idiot. I have the same mobo and tried my friend's GF4 4200 and 4600 in this mobo. Works perfectly. this guy is obviously a newb who doesn't know how to put a computer together. Just use the latest reference drivers (29.42) and all is well. It really irritates me when people make such defining statements when they can't get something to work.

Whoa!! Now I'm really confused?!!:Q So the Asus P4S533 will work fine?

 

[VSEKH]

Nice of you to jump in Sudheer Anne. What are your system specs anyways?

 

[VSEKH]

I have tried every reference driver. I even spoke to Asus support kept telling me to change my bios settings to the default settings and start over. They do not know if a TI4600 card will work or not. This is the first person on any forum that has gotten a TI4600 to work on a P4S533. Maybe we need a little more details on their configuration to help us here.

 

[VSEKH]

Flightsim it's your choice. Don't let me stop you. If you can a geforce4 to work on this p4s533, great. Let us know what kind of problems you run into.

 

[Flightsim]

Thanks for the input VESKH and everyone else. I can't say I have much confidence about my setup now. I think I might post a thread in the general hardware or video forum tomorrow about this P4S533 and GeoForce 4 issue.