Same slower RAM, new mobo. Speed improvement?

[ptw]

Hi everyone! My first post, so please be kind!

I am building a secondary computer, and so I am taking the ECS K7S5A (SiS 735 chipset) and Athlon XP 1700 out of my main machine and I was planning on replacing them with the ECS K7S6A (the SiS 745 chipset) and an Athlon 1800 or 1900.

Here's my question: I know the K7S6A can take faster DDR memory, but I'll still be using my older, slower DDR 200. Will I see any speed improvement with the new chipset even though the RAM hasn't changed? Or am I better off buying another K7S5A and using the extra $15 to upgrade one CPU higher (so an XP 1900 or maybe even 2000).

I love that old K7S5A board. So dirt cheap and rock solid, I get emotional just thinking about it!

Thanks everyone!

 

[Oakenfold]

Get a better Proc.


K75SA is a great board and does not need to retire just yet.

 

[Yum]

Yeah, k7s5a isn't a bad board at all, i have just upgraded my computer to 1800xp, would have wanted to get the 2000xp, but had to buy ddr ram (was previously running k7s5a with sd ram). So get get the better processor.

 

[Peter]

Going from K7S5A to S6A and from 1700 to 1800 or 1900 is such a minimal improvement, I wouldn't even bother rip that machine apart for it. Stay with the S5A, and put a major CPU upgrade in if you want more speed. Latest BIOS supports the 2400 and 2600 speed grades.

btw, if you're on a 133 MHz bus CPU (all Athlon XP are), then you're running the RAM at DDR266 already. K7S5A can't run CPU/RAM clock combination 133/100 ...

 

[Oakenfold]

I agree with Peter on the performance issue but that's assuming it's within your budget.
If it is not then I suggest you wait until the price drops on some of the newer procs.
Like I said before, get a better proc, you K7S5A can last another 6 months.