Question about FSB

[Vavs31]

Hello all-

Long time lurker here, first time posting.

I currently have a self built PC with an ASUS P4S533 motherboard, and an Intel P4 1.6A processor. I want to upgrade both of these, but I'm going to have to do one at a time. I'd like to buy the Intel P4 3.0E processor first and I'm wondering if it will work at all in my ASUS motherboard, since the FSB is only 533 mhz max and not 800 mhz.

I'm assuming that the processor will work, but it won't work at it's maximal potential. Am I correct here? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Jeff7181]

I don't think that motherboard is "Prescott ready" so it might have trouble delivering the power the Prescott needs. Also since it doesn't support an 800 MHz bus, that 3.0 GHz processor would probably run at 2.0 GHz.

I think you'd be better off looking for the 3.06 GHz 533 MHz FSB Pentium 4 with HT... or just saving the money you can spend on a CPU now until you have the money for a motherboard too and do it all at once.

 

[Vavs31]

Thanks a lot for your help.

Now the question I have is this: If I did upgrade my processor while still using my current motherboard, would I have to purchase a Northwood or could I get the 2.8 GHz Prescott with 533 MHz FSB?

I can't keep track of all these different Pentium chips anymore.

 

[Jeff7181]

The only reason I can think of why it wouldn't is the power requirements... but if the motherboard can handle a 3.06 with HT, I assume it can handle a 2.8 Prescott cause the actual power usage of them is probably similar.