Intel guy buying a mobile XP and maybe Abit NF7-S

[Todd33]

I was thinking of this setup:

ABIT nForce2 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "NF7-S" -RETAIL

AMD Mobile Athlon XP 2200+, 266MHz FSB, 256K L2 Cache Processor - OEM

2 X KRETON 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-2700 - Retail

Are their tricks for getting RAM to work (not OC) in AMD MBs? I keep reading stories about problems with duel-channel, should I just get one 512MB? I just want stability, no OCing. Any advice would be great. I am also wanting to use the optical out on the MB to got to a reciever for all sound/music, no problems with that right? I hear the soundstorm is a good choice.

 

[Vette73]

I had NO problems getting dual CH to work right out of the box.

BUT do get PC3200 if you plan on overclocking. The price is very little between 2700 and 3200 now anyways.

 

[Todd33]

This is just for a HTPC w/ hardware encoding. I want a quiet PC and want to keep the heat to a min. No OCing needed.

 

[MDE]

I'd just get one stick of RAM, dual channel barely helps Athlon XPs and it'll leave a bit more room for an upgrade down the road.

 

[Tiorapatea]

Even if you don't overclock, you might want to consider getting PC3200 because you can trade off CPU MHz with FSB speed on unlocked Bartons such as the one you are considering and it will give you more flexibility.

For HTPC, you want a quiet system, which means excellent cooling. This generally means a case that is not too small but that can interfere with preferences for slimline equipment in HTPCs. What are your plans?

Forget about dual channel. Just get one stick of 512MB.

What operating system are you planning to run? I am currently building a Linux box with the Abit NF7-S and Mobile Athlon.

 

[Todd33]

Ok, single 512MB.

PC3200, you are right, I forgot they are unlocked, so I can tweak that part.

I was going with the Antec Overture for a case.