Sorry for opening a new thread for this one but i have a question.
Can i use this cpu with PC2700 ram or should i use PC3200?? If its ok is there a big difference in performnace?
And about the dual channel thing: are all DDR RAM models ok for that or should it be written on the package?
Thank you

Look up your MB specs online as to what chipset you have and which RAM is recommended. PC3200 is backwards compatible so if you can use PC2700, PC3200 will work in it's place, but will be reduced from 400 mhz. to 333 mhz. There is no guarantee every DIMM of PC2700/3200 will work properly in your MB. The processor has nothing to do with compatible RAM. Your MB's chipset determines which RAM speeds are capable.

Their is a slight perfomance increase from using the pc3200 ram but not that much so you should go out and buy pc3200 if you already have pc2700.
Also i think that as long as you have matching pairs that any ram is fine for dual channel.not 100% tho

My MB is capable of both types.The point is:
Is this cpu ok with 2700 ram?

Yes.

and yes your cpu is fine with that ram as long as your motherboard is

oh...and help you very much for your response guys )

PC2700 = 333 mhz. data transfer with cpu at max 2.7 GB/sec.
PC3200 = 400 mhz. data transfer with cpu at max 3.2 GB/sec.

If your MB is cabaple of running either, your cpu will work with either RAM as you MB's chipset provides for either RAM speed.

If it's a AMD Athlon XP 3000+ then the answer is maybe since there are both 333 and 400MHz FSB versions. Using PC2700/DDR333 with the one that operates at 400MHz FSB will make it slower, either via slowing the FSB, or having a 4:3 ratio between CPU and memory.

If it's a AMD Sempron 3000+ then I'm pretty sure the answer is yes as it's a 333 part.

If it's a AMD Athlon64 3000+, it's a 400MHz part and could be slow, as described above.

I'm about 90% sure this is accurate so somebody please pipe up if I'm off by a bit.

I suppose the first one (athlonXP) in only for socketA, right??

you can use either one, but dont expect it to run in dual channel mode if they are not matching sticks. You would be better off with two identical PC2700s than you would with one of each.

Umm... with Socket 939 the memory controller is on the processor so THAT would determine memory compatibility. And yes its designed for 400MHz operation. It SHOULD work with PC2700 just at the slower clockspeed. Having 2 sticks to get dual-channel should help a decent bit with either PC2700 or PC3200. In all the situations I've seen running 4 sticks will cause PC3200 to default to PC2700 speeds on an AMD S939 system.

-mcg

Is there a big difference from a Barton 2500+ ??
Im thinking of making this ....upgrade.
It will actually cost me nothing but some valuable TIME (take the components and build up the system)
What do you think?