Choose memory for a 266MHz FSB processor

[pitsi]

I am planning on buying an Asus A7N8X board with AthlonXP 1700+ processor. Of course the reason I am using such a processor is my budget, but I prefer buying this board despite the extra cost since I know that I can later upgrade all the way up until even 3000+ Barton (right now 1700+ is more than enough for my needs, and having in mind that it can be found for as low as $64 I believe is a bargain!)

My question is this. What memory should I use on this cpu/mobo? Am I goint to be able to use PC2700 (333 FSB) at its full speed or should I settle with PC2100 (266 FSB, just like the CPU) and save the extra cash? Also, I know all about increased performance when using for example two PC2700 modules but does the same happen with PC2100 too? Should I buy two 256MB modules instead of one 512MB?

Thanks.

 

[bum_jcrules]

In your situation it is moer of a matter of cost. The Athlon cannot use all of the extra bandwidth of DDR333/PC2700 due to the DDR266 FSB. So if you can find some good DDR333 on the cheap, buy it. Otherwise you will be moer than happy with DDR266.

With an nForce2 board you should buy two sticks. Here again you will have the benefit of better bandwidth because of the dual channels but the FSB will still bottleneck at DDR266. So like I said before... DDR266 is fine. If you are set on 512MB, buy two sticks... Identical twins. This will give you the best results on that board.

<b><font color=red>Fredi</font color=red> <font color=red>Fredi</font color=red> He's our man! If he can't do it no one can!</b>