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Upgrading processor on nForce2 chipset

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sonofdbn

Junior Member
I'm thinking of getting a motherboard with an nForce2 chipset (Shuttle MN31N). Right now my needs (and budget) are modest, so I was thinking about getting something like an AMD XP2000+ and then upgrading it later (say in a couple of years) when presumably prices will be lower.

If I upgrade to a Barton processors, will it be possible just to swop the CPUs? I assume there will be some memory bandwidth hit, but I can live with that.
 
yeah, the bartons are 333fsb procs, and the nforces can reach 166mhz fsb no problem.

however, unless you get the C1/A1 chipset (nForce2 Ultra400), you won't be able to use the 400fsb athlons coming out. its my assumption, though, that you're probably going to get it.
 
Welcome to the Anandtech forums 🙂

You'll have no problems swapping CPUs to even a 400fsb Barton later if you buy the right board, the Epox 8RDA+ 85$ and Soltek SL-75FRN2-RL 95$ w/Promise SATA RAID are excellent choices and do 200fsb easily. The more expensive and feature rich boards like Abit NF7-S and Epox 8RDA3+ will do 200fsb EZ too. If your not planning to overclock at all the 2000+ is nicely priced but if you don't mind just changing the FSB speed to 166mhz on any of the boards mentioned it's almost a certainty that just about any $42 1700+ coming from Newegg right now will do 166x11=1.83ghz=2200+ speed without touching the CPU voltage. Of course what RAM you're using will impact wether it's better to do that via multiplier E.G. 13.5x133=1.8ghz to keep the FSB and ram speed in synch if you're using 2100DDR. The purpose of course being that NF2 chipsets suffer a significant performance hit when running asynchronous mode E.G. FSB=133mhz RAM=166mhz. OK enough effusiveness on the topic, the answer is YES you'll easily be able to swap out for even a 400FSB CPU later with no mods necessary if you choose a NF2 board with the A1/C1/ultra400 chipset.
 
Originally posted by: pspada
Originally posted by: sonofdbn
Thanks for the help, guys (gals?) - this is excellent information. Much appreciated
Click to expand...

Gals? You ought to see Punisher in a dress!
Click to expand...
Both hands back on the keyboard pal! 😛
 
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