Just a few questions...

[Silentsc0rn]

Today I bought a new motherboard with the Nvida 2 Ultra 400 chipset, anyway right now I will be using a 1.4 gig tbird but soon I plan on upgrading the processor to either a 2500+ overclocked or a 3200+ possibly. I have some samsung PC2100 266 memory 2 sticks of 256mb each. Anyway my question is in order to over clock the 2500+ to speeds close to the 3200+, is it possible with the memory I have or would I have to buy PC3200 memory to even have any results? I am new to overclocking entirely so please bare with me.

 

[Corporate Thug]

3200+ runs at 200 mhz FSB so you wont be able to 3200+ with pc2100 unless you use a mem:fsb divider which can hinder performance

 

[mechBgon]

You're going to want to pick up some faster memory PC2700 would match up with the 2500+ that you're planning on, at stock speed, because they would both be running 166MHz (DDR333). To overclock it to an AthlonXP 3200+ level, and do it right, you would boost the bus speed and memory speed both to 200MHz (DDR400) and for that you'd want PC3200 memory (or faster). Your PC2100 might overclock some, but you can't count on it hitting that kind of speed.

Granted, it isn't impossible to run the memory slower than the CPU, but that results in bad performance and a data-starved CPU, and possibly instability, and then your face will look like this ---> so I would say grab some PC3200 or faster, there are good buys right now.

 

[Soulkeeper]

yeah i think the other people are generally right about the mem not being the fastest out today, but you can still do it
you just won't be able to run the mem 1:1 with the fsb
just use a lower ratio
the dual channel mode should make up for a good deal of any performance loss you might get


you should be able to get that mem to 166 with a voltage bump and/or lower latencies
i guess that's like a 5:4 ratio or so


hope this helps
good luck

 

[Cerb]

Get 1 512MB PC3200 stick to replace what you have now. $73 (or less if the Kreton gets back in stock @Newegg) for decent stuff, and even single-channel, believe me, you'll notice a performance difference.
I notice it with my FSB/RAM at 150/133 vs. 150/200...things are just snappier, esp. when you've got a movie or something playing in the background.