New Computer Issue. :)

[gelunmao]

Hi guys this is my first post on the forum. Hello to all of you 🙂

I would like some help with deciding about some components of a system I am hoping to build in the near future.
I have made up a list of what I think the system will compromise of, so I spose I will list these parts, then I have a few questions 🙂

Motherboard - MSI 865PE Neo2-FIS2R
CPU - P4 2.8 ghz with H/T (800 mhz FSB)
Fan/Heatsink - CNPS7000-Cu
Graphics Card - PowerColour Radeon 9800PRO - 128mb
PSU - 400W Zalman ATX Power Supply (CSP-ZM400A-AP)
RAM - 2x Kingston HyperX 512MB PC3500

Q1 - I don't plan to use a water cooling solution, but I wouldn't mind overclocking the cpu in the future. Will this do?

Q2 - Can you have too much power? I am totally confused as to what PSU to use, I've read that the Zalman 400W PSU should do fine, but with these components ( plus a DVD ROM, 2 HDD'S ), will it be enough?

Q3 - I've decided to go with the Kingston PC3500 ram, it is rated at 434MHz. I have problems understanding how this will effect the overall speed of the computer. I've heard that it's wise to use 2 sticks of ram in a computer that uses Dual Channels. In the case of my motherboard it supports Dual Channel DDR. Does this ram support Dual Channels? Will these 2 sticks of ram even be put to good use?..

Q4 - Will I need to change the FSB on the CPU to see the effect of having 434mhz ram? Or can the ram and FSB of the cpu run independent of each others speeds.

OK as you may have figured I am pretty confused. I'm not sure wether or not its wise in particular to fork out for 2 sticks of 512 mb ram when they may not even be able to run at their full speeds on my motherboared.

Q5 - Is there any real advantage to using the 875 Chipset instead of the 865? I've read reviews on the MSI motherboard ( 865 ) and its even faster in alot of cases then alot of 875 boards.

Sorry about the length of the post!! its a biggen 🙂

 

[Corporate Thug]

all looks well except for the mobo, the asus and Abit boards (865 and 875) are both far superior to the MSI

now for your questions
1) that is a good setup for overclocking but you would be better off with the asus or abit board (both perform at basically the same level and if you read online reviews it is really a toss up between the two)


2) 400W is MORE than enough


3-4) springdale/canterwood boards support dual channel. All ram supports can be used in dual channel as long as they are identical speed. the 2.8C is 800 Mhz FSB which means it is 200 Mhz Quad pumped resulting in 800 Mhz. to be able to run it a 800 Mhz, you need the ram to be @ 200 Mhz (200X4 (quad pumped) = 800 mhz). so to fully put the ram to use you would need to Overclock a little. running it at 217 mhz results in a FSB of 868 Mhz (217*4) which will make the computer faster. it would result in the CPU running at 217X14 (3038 Mhz) assuming you keep the front side bus and ram at a 1:1 ratio. i know this is kinda hard to follow but to answer your question, the Pc3500 isnt a bad choice since you can run it @ 200 Mhz right now and still keep the option open for OCing in the future.


5) there is little difference between the performance of 865 and 875

EDIT: WELCOME TO THE FORUMS