P4 i850 board that supports the new Northwood CPU's

[DevilsAdvocate]

Help!

It looks like I will be getting a bunch of RDRAM in a trade (Samsung PC800 ECC RDRAM) and I need an i850 mobo I can jam it in. What is the best mobo for stability and price that I can jam it into?

The MSI Pro5 looks pretty good, but do does the Intel branded one. Im all confused - which one should I buy?

It must be Socket 478. I'd prefer no audio. (Going Audigy Platinum)

Help!

 

[AndyHui]

I recommend the ASUS P4T-E.

I have it and I am really happy with it. It has top performance, stability and overclocking; if you manage to get one with the ICS clock generator you can easily do 133MHz/533MHz FSB.

 

[Athlon4all]

First of all good choice on going RDRAM. Now, I have heard good things about MSi 850 Pro5's overclocking and overall and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, Abit TH7II or Asus P4T-E. But, truthfully, I hacve definately heard more about Abit TH7II and I would have to lean towards it over P4T-E because the P4T-E doesn't oc nearly as good (it can barely if at all hit 533fsb without the clock generators AndyHui mentioned), Abit TH7II on the other hand can easily hit 140fsb with good RDRAM. MSi 850 Pro5 is prolly good, but Abit TH7II is more common and I'd feel better going with it over MSi, but if you want to try something new, then go for Pro5, I doubt you will be disappointed

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

OK - You all say that there is a 133/533 option available.

That would mean I would need PC1066 RDRAM, wouldn't I? I didn't think RDRAM could O/C that high.

 

[AndyHui]

Most high quality SAMSUNG RDRAM can reach 1066 levels, so I am told.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Thanks Andy - and happy belated birthday!

The RDRAM is Samsung. I should have 2 sticks of 256MB ECC PC800. Would having ECC affect my overclock?

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

When is the new Intel Southbridge going to come out? I want USB 2.0!

 

[AndyHui]

ICH3 and ICH4 are not due for some time yet. The next chipsets will be out in May, and another chipset release in September or so.

The September Tulloch chipset is supposed to feature AGP8X, USB 2.0 and Serial ATA....not sure about the May release (i850E, i845G) chipsets.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Any word on whether RAMBUS will be supported in the new chipsets? Thanks!

 

[tigerbait]

<< Most high quality SAMSUNG RDRAM can reach 1066 levels, so I am told >>



how do you if the RDRAM is high quality? I was going with either the p4b266 or p4s333, but now with another price hike on DDR, I am thinking more about an i850 northwood system.


Samsung Original RAMBUS 128MB 800MHz 4-Device Memory
Samsung Original RAMBUS 128MB 800MHz 8-Device Memory
Samsung Original RAMBUS 256MB 800MHz 16-Device Memory

what is the deal with the x-device rating?

 

[Athlon4all]

<< Any word on whether RAMBUS will be supported in the new chipsets? Thanks! >>

Yes, Tehema-E (850e). It will released alongside 533fsb Northwood's and provide offical 533fsb support but Abit TH7II can hit 533fsb as long as your CPU can hit that high speed overclocked.

<< The September Tulloch chipset is supposed to feature AGP8X, USB 2.0 and Serial ATA....not sure about the May release (i850E, i845G) chipsets. >>

Sadly, Tulloch has been canceled and thus 32-bit RIMM's have no single channel platform to take advantage of the 32-bit RIMM's cost reduction by using Single Channels.

<< how do you if the RDRAM is high quality? I was going with either the p4b266 or p4s333, but now with another price hike on DDR, I am thinking more about an i850 northwood system. >>

Well, it's as simple as this. Any Samsung RDRAM chips (used on Samsung and Corsair RDRAM) that were produced recently can hit PC1066 speeds usually, it's just not offically tested. I dunno about the device thing though.

 

[AndyHui]

Because of the way the RDRAM memory bus works, the fewer devices you have on a RIMM, the lower the latency you have. Therefore a RIMM with fewer devices is going to result in a faster system.

 

[tigerbait]

<< Therefore a RIMM with fewer devices is going to result in a faster system. >>



hmmm... I wonder why googlegear has them priced this way.


80455
Samsung Original RAMBUS 256MB 800MHz 8-Device Memory
$76.00

80455-1
Samsung Original Rambus 256MB 800MHz 16-Device Memory
$82.00

 

[SpaceRanger]

My thoughts exactly Tigerbait. Why would the 16 device RIMMS be more expensive if they are actually slower??

I just purchased 4 Kingston 256MB 16 Device RIMMS. I hope I can at least hit 133FSB with them...

Space

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

where is this device rating?

 

[Nova101]

Can someone please elaborate on this device rating? a link to a faq would be fine.

How do you tell the memory you bought is 8 device vs 16 device?

thanks

 

[ginfest]

The 8 device Rambus is single-sided, and has a higher density, lower latency.
The 16 device is double-sided, lower density.
Due to the way Rambus works, the higher density chips have lower latency, check out Samsungs page here
Samsung Semiconductors
for all the details, better than me trying to butcher the explaination.

AFA which OCs better, I have heard 2 arguments. Some claim that they have better luck with the low-density double-sided stuff, especially if using 256MB sticks. Others say that the higher density parts clock better.

My system has 2-256MB Rimms, double sided and the rambus is running at 133FSBx4=533Mhz or "PC1066".
As usual YMMV, all ram , mainboards and CPUs clock differently.

 

[AndyHui]

Ginfest has it right.

In terms of raw materials, it would be logical for the 8 device RIMM to be cheaper than the 16 device RIMM.

 

[Nova101]

Wow this is top notch info.

I found 4 device Samsung 128 MB RDRAMs for $37 each.

Thats $148 for 512 MB of RDRAM.

This leads to 2 follow up questions.

I have read it is better to have 4 RIMMS filled rather than 2 and 2 with dummies. True?

Second, the 128 MB RDRAM above is probably older stuff though this is a tough assumption.
Supposedly the newer stuff can all hit 1066. Any advice?

Thanks for all this info.

 

[senior guy]

<< I have read it is better to have 4 RIMMS filled rather than 2 and 2 with dummies. True? >>

I've never read any (reliable) info to that effect. However, since RIMMs are serial by nature, if you are using only 1 pair (you do realize that you need to use them in pairs!), you must fill the remaining 2 RIMM slots with those 'C'(ontinuity)-RIMMs, which come with the motherboard.