help me decide what socket A processor to get

[unclebabar]

Hi Everyone,

I just ordered one of the Shuttle N35N-Ultras's that are 'on sale' for $50 at Newegg to replace my old ECS K7S5A that doesn't want to recognize both DIMM slots.

I need to decide what processor to get. I am considering an XP2500+ Barton @333 MHz, $90. But I don't intend to buy new memory any time soon, and what I have right now is a bunch of PC2100 (256MB x 3). I'm assuming that the memory bus can run asynchronously with FSB. Is this true? I read some where (it was kind of vague) that while it's possible, there will be a performance hit (how big?).

My other options are 2) just get a cheap Duron and wait for FX64 or whatever the next generation is or 3) use the old processor, an XP1600+ and wait for prices to drop . If option 3), does anyone have experience removing processors without removing the HS-fan first? I've got some arctic silver lying around, but I rather not go through cleaning the pad and reapplying the grease if it can be avoided.

I guess option 4) would be to get a processor with bus speed matched to my memory.

I have no interest in overclocking the CPU.

I have enough parts (if I get another CPU) to have 2 computers, so I rather have that.

I'm trying to do this on the cheap.

Tell me what you think,

Thanks

edit: changed PC2700 to PC2100 which is what I really have

 

[SickBeast]

If you don't plan on overclocking, your PC2700 will be fine for a Barton 2500+. I would reccomend that chip as it's the best price/perfomance option as of right now.

 

[unclebabar]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
If you don't plan on overclocking, your PC2700 will be fine for a Barton 2500+. I would reccomend that chip as it's the best price/perfomance option as of right now.

ack, I spoke too soon ... the memory is actually only PC2100.

 

[MDE]

Then go for a 1800 or something in the vicinity.

 

[SickBeast]

I would suggest selling the PC2100 stuff on the FS forum and buying some PC3200 stuff. It will be an enormous performance boost both for the CPU (higher clock speeds) and for the memory.

If you insist on keeping the slow memory, I think the XP2200+ was the last CPU to use the 133mhz bus.

 

[unclebabar]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
I would suggest selling the PC2100 stuff on the FS forum and buying some PC3200 stuff. It will be an enormous performance boost both for the CPU (higher clock speeds) and for the memory.

If you insist on keeping the slow memory, I think the XP2200+ was the last CPU to use the 133mhz bus.

hi,

Thanks for your replies.

Do you know what will happen if I plug a 333 MHz FSB CPU in with PC2100 memory? I'd like to get the Barton now, and maybe later upgrade when my bank account clears. The memory I have isn't brand name, so I doubt I'd get much for it.

 

[high]

You can run a 333fsb with 2100 no prob. I used to run it until I grabbed my OCZ 3200. You can run 3:2 at 11x200 if you really want to. There isn't as huge a performance decrease as many people say, and its an easy way to get a really fast processor while using your current RAM

 

[unclebabar]

Originally posted by: high
You can run a 333fsb with 2100 no prob. I used to run it until I grabbed my OCZ 3200. You can run 3:2 at 11x200 if you really want to. There isn't as huge a performance decrease as many people say, and its an easy way to get a really fast processor while using your current RAM

woohoo! Thanks, Barton, here i come.

 

[Jeff7181]

That should work fine, I ran mine async for a while until I could get PC3200 RAM. The AthlonXP isn't terribly memory bandwidth hungry to begin with. If you run dual channel you'll have even less problems running async.