Which CPU for CUSL2?

[MIDIman]

I have a client wanting an ultra-stable computer, and we've set our minds on an Asus CUSL2 with a Pentium3 @ 850 or 800.

Considering no overclocking will be done, is it better to get the 866@133 fsb, or the 850@100 fsb?

Also in the system = Geforce2MX, 256 Mushkin/Corsair PC133 cas2, PCI studio audio card (AArdvark, for those who care), modem, 2 IBM GXPs, Plextor CDRW, etc.

1) Will this all run at 133fsb on the CUSL2 ok?
2) Will the 133fsb chip outperform the 100fsb chip?

 

Consider this,
All chips are from the same die. If they are .18micron.
Ones towards the middle of the silicon chip, perform better, and are rated at a faster FSB.
Take the p!!! 600 and 800 for example for example.
Im not sure the EB and E markings, if you want them, search for them.
The 600 runs at a 100fsb, but the 800 runs at the 133fsb.
But one is tested more stable and is "worth" more then the other.
Might want to put some thought into it.
I have a p3-700, nice chip indeed.

 

[Sunny129]

MIDIman:

P-700 - (no suffix) Katmai core @ 100 FSB
P-700B - Katmai core @ 133 FSB
P-700E - Coppermine core @ 100 FSB
P-700EB - Coppermine core @ 133 FSB

A P-700E and a P-700EB may have different internal clock frequencies (one @ 100 FSB and the other @ 133 FSB), but they will still perform the same external clocks, 700 mHz that is...

However, the difference in FSB may mean the difference in overall system performance. Even though both CPU are going to run at 700 mHz no matter what, a system running on 133 mHz FSB is going to run overall faster than a system running on 100 mHz FSB. Though the difference may not be noticeable, you will definitely see it with a benchmarking program.

As far as the 866@133 fsb and the 850@100 fsb go, the CPU @ 866 will run faster than the 850, but not noticeably at all. Paying for a 16 mHz increase in clock speed when you are already @ 850 is pointless and a waste of money in my opinion. However you did mention that you wont be overclocking, and the fact that the 866 comes @133 fsb might be a reason to go with that processor. If i were bebating between the two CPUs, i would go with the 850 only b/c i know it wouldnt be worth my money to go from 850 to 866, no matter the FSB.

I know you dont plan on OCing, but if you ever decided to, you would have little room to do so with a Pentium @ 133 fsb, b/c the only way to OC a Pentium is through the fsb since all Pentiums are multiplier locked...

After all that rambling, i would go with the 850 b/c it all boils down to money, and i can guarantee you the jump from 850 mHz to 866 mHz is going to stand out in price more than performance...

 

I was referring to the known deal with the 600 and 800 being the same exact chip. Even shows up the same in benchmark programs.
800 is fast regardless of what FSB .

 

[IaPuP]

Sunny129. That information is very incorrect.

The Katmai core CAN NOT run faster than 600MHz. If you change all your "700"s to "600" then what you said is mostly correct.

All chips faster than 600 are coppermine core whether they have an "e" or not.

To respond to the initial post.

The PIII-866 will be a much faster CPU than the PIII-800. You will be running it at 133MHz bus speed so to ensure stability, you must use PC-133 RAM.

Keep in mind that the i815 limits you to 2DIMM slots while running PC133 but you can use all 3 while running PC100.

Eric

Edit: If you believe Sunny's "don't pay more money for it", the best chip for you is the PIII-800b. It will run a 133MHz FSB and be comparble in performance to an 850MHz chip but cost less. If you want it to be really fast, get an 866 or 933.

 

[Linh]

pup is correct. those katmai's that sunny labeled are really coppermines.

 

[BradS]

1)Yes, all of that will run in the CUSL2.

2)Since you already own cas 2 PC133 memory, get a CPU with a 133 FSB. Therefore you are taking advantage of all of the memory's performance.

 

[Sunny129]

IaPuP:

my mistake. i realized my mistake with the "700" instead of "600" and couldnt change it at the time...thanks for making the correction for me.

it is true that the katmai goes only to 600 mHz, but putting numbers aside, i'm pretty sure the "E" means its a coppermine core. if it isnt, could you enlighten me?

 

[IaPuP]

Yes. But they only put the 'e' on the end of the name "officially" for chips 600Mhz and under.

All chips over 600mhz should not have an "e"- But a lot of people use the 'e' to avoid confusion.

So really saying "800e" is totally incorrect.

But people do it, so above 600mhz you can ignore the 'e'.

Eric

 

[atomicbomberman]

go w/ the 100fsb.. but of course.. I'm an oc'er, that's why I want some leading room for oc, but well, 133fsb doesn't help, doesn't really matter, I mean, let's face it, if you have good hard ware, that's only half the battle, for a ultra stable system (like mine =)) you need to also configure your windows correctly, and make sure he doesn't have junk in there !

 

[atomicbomberman]

sorry.. doesn't = does

133 internal fsb will ALWAYS out performs the 100 fsb counterparts. it's an old oc trick w/ old unlock pII's, instead of using 66 x 4.5 to achive 300mhz, you use 75 x 4, and your system will be faster.

If you're not lookin for overclocking, 133fsb is faster way to go. Since the i815 chipset will have the 1/2 option for AGP and 1/4 for PCI, you'll be fine and not run into those BX chipset problems.

 

[Kelv]

Hi peoples,

P3 on 133MHz FSB is DEFINTELY faster than one with a 100MHz FSB.
If you're looking to get a p3 850 or 866, I'd strongly recommend a 866, because there's actually a pretty great difference between the performance of the two systems, even though it's only a 16Mhz difference between the two systems. Think about it this way, your memory etc are able to run 33% faster in a 133MHz FSB system than a 100MHz FSB system, so on this alone your system's performance will be greatly improved.

Most people get the 100FSB CPUs to overclock, and since in your case you're NOT planning to overclock, I'd suggest the 133Mhz FSB CPUs of any kind... P3 800B, P3 866, P3 933.

Yeah, great choice of Motherboard... me using a CUSL2 now as well. Rock solid. Now, notice that although it IS 815e chipset's limitation to only run 2 Dimms at 133FSB (ie. if you have the 3 DIMMs all filled they'll have to run at 100FSB), the ASUS CUSL2 is the ONLY 815e MOTHERBOARD that can take 3 Dimms at 133FSB ROCK STABLE. Here ROCK STABLE means NO CRASH AT ALL. This is tested by Anand and other sources too.

In conclusion, go with either P3 800B, P3 866, or P3 933. Screw all the 100FSB CPUS if you're not planning to overclock.

Cheers.

 

[MIDIman]

Thank you all for the excellent replies! I've set my mind on a P3 866@133fsb and CUSL2, and hopefully with the Pentium 4 announcement Monday, prices will come down even more.

 

[PaiKiaMonster]

If U don't intend to overclock, the 133 FSB would be good.

 

[IaPuP]

For optimal performance and stability, be sure to invest heavily in the graphics card and memory. The should be just as much a consideration as the CPU.

The motherboard itself is by far the most important part of stability. The CPU, RAM and video are next.

I would purchase a 256MB PC133 DIMM that is rated to run PC122 CAS2 (2-2-2). Then you won't have to worry about instability if the motherboard tries to run the memory with agressive timings.

Eric

 

[IaPuP]

Someone asked me about this comment so I'm going to reply here too FYI.

> I read a message you posted on a thread RE: the Asus CUSL2 where you stated
> that "the i815 chipset limits you to 2 DIMM slots while running PC133" and i
> was just curious if this was a mistake or not. I am currently running this
> motherboard with three PC133 DIMM's in it... Am I missing something here?


The "official" specs from Intel for the i815 state that the motherboard cannot run 3 DIMMS at 133MHz.

99% of i815 motherboard will become VERY unstable with 3 PC133 DIMMs installed.

From my experience, most of the time, the CUSL2 can do it. The 133mhz setting must be forced since the chipset automatically detects 3 PC133 sticks at 100mhz. The CUSL2 is the *only* i815 board that can run this setup and it is sort-of equivalent to overclocking since you're running your system "out of spec".

If it works for you- that's great- it will work most of the time in that board- but for this guy who wants "absolute stability" it would be best to avoid.

Eric