My Barton, A new stick of RAM, and Bottlenecks

[soccerballtux]

I hate to start out my first thread with a ?.....

I'm trying to figure out what I should do....I can pay about 35$ to a friend and I'll give him my stick of 512 DDR333 and he's going to give me his two 512 sticks of same brand DDR333 since hes getting a new computer. Or I can pay about 65$ and add a stick of DDR400 (most likely not same brand, just whatever is cheapest). However, once I get some AC5, I want to OC my 2500+ to a 3200+.

So several questions....would this OC be possible with stock cooling? Fan speed is 4000RPM, and my under 100% load temp is 50C currently with no compound. And if it isn't, how much would a better fan that would allow me to do so be (what would be a good bet, I don't want to go with water cooling).

IF that overclock won't hurt my CPU, would a whole gig of DDR333 RAM (I think its Kingston) be able to go with my 200*11 barton, or should I add a ddr400 stick now and then another one down the road to replace the 333 stick and OCing then? Or shoudl I simply get replace my ddr333 with a 400, only have 512 RAM, and be able to OC?

I'm definately going to be buying a 6600GT, so I"m wondering if a Gig of dual channel ddr333 would be a bottleneck for the 6600gt, and if it is, would it get to my Barton's OC'd FSB of 200 (if thats even going to be possible.)

So:
1).Will I be able to get my Barton 2500+ to 3200+ speeds safely?
2).Assuming #1, Will 333 RAM take it? If not, should I add a stick of 400 and OC later, replace and OC now, or simply have a gig of 333 and not OC?
3).If I don't OC and have a gig of dual channel at 333, will that be a bottleneck for my 6600GT?

Thanks a bunch in advance...

 

[BlueWeasel]

The 2500+ Bartons should definately be able to hit 3200+ speeds using the stock cooling. However, if you're sensitive about temperatures, then you might consider getting a better cooling HS and fan. Generally, I don't get worried unless my 100% load temps reach 60C or higher, so you've got 5-10C of room with the stock cooler.

There is no guarantee that the DDR333 will be able to hit 200 (400) FSB, as it's only designed to run at a FSB 166 (333) FSB. I've got some Muskin DDR333 that runs great at 190 FSB, and could probably go higher. I'd consider getting DDR400 if you're set on 200 FSB, and definately see how far your DDR 333 can go before you plunk down $$$ for more.

 

[soccerballtux]

OK Great thanks a bunch. The only other thing I was wondering was if DDR333 ram would be a bottleneck on my soon to be mine 6600gt with hl2 and d3....

What OC would it take for it to no llonger be a bottleneck. I guess I'm not stuck on 200, just whatever will get me the most...