Nforce2 vs kt400

Bumaster · **Nforce2 vs kt400 -** 09-05-2002, 22:13 | posts: 53 | Location: U.S.

What do you guys recommend? I want a mobo that is able to run 400 mhz ddr memory with aggressive timings and a 400 mhz fsb.

09-05-2002, 23:07 | posts: n/a

dont think any of the amd mobos can do 400 fsb

top_gun36 · 09-06-2002, 01:14 | posts: 3,574 | Location: Vancouver BC Canada

AMD's fastest FSB that they will support is 333.

09-06-2002, 07:12 | posts: n/a

Ummmm, sorry to burst your bubble but via has already launch the kt400 chipset with runs at 200mhz fsb dual pump.

There is no or little performance benefit for that speed.

flightpro08 · 09-07-2002, 00:47 | posts: 368 | Location: California

The nForce2 is looking like a good MOBO. I've heard nothing but good things about it, and in all likely hood, it will be my next MOBO.

Psychosematic · *Last edited by Psychosematic; 09-07-2002 at 14:23.*

Quote:

Originally posted by bluLiger
dont think any of the amd mobos can do 400 fsb

My board can easily do 400 on an unlocked XP as long as you have quality RAM.

I'm actually thinking about selling my Corsair PC2700 so I can buy some Samsung PC3200 and run at 200x8 with a 1/6 PCI divider

syntax_error · *Last edited by syntax_error; 09-07-2002 at 01:27.*

Quote:

Originally posted by turbo
Ummmm, sorry to burst your bubble but via has already launch the kt400 chipset with runs at 200mhz fsb dual pump. There is no or little performance benefit for that speed.

http://www.viatech.com/en/apollo/kt400.jsp

The chipset doesn't officially support DDR400...CPU or Memory. Official support runs up to a 266mhz FSB CPU and 333mhz DDR Memory...I've seen some a board with "official" 333mhz FSB CPU support and whether or not that is going to be an "official" VIA spec is a bit fuzzy...perhaps it's going to be on a board by board basis, depending upon the board manufacturer. Since the 333mhz FSB chips aren't available yet we will have to see what comes of this...perhaps a KT400a chipset will be released.

There will be some BIOSes that will have FSB settings available up to and over 400mhz but as to whether or not they will be able to run them stably will be the really tricky question to answer. These boards will need some kind of PCI/Agp lock or a 1/6 PCI multiplier.

I think getting any current chipset over 333mhz can be a bit hairy...not impossible as GeekboyJoey will have you know...but to get to 400 may be asking too much more. Should run like a mofo if it does get there though.

syntax_error · 09-07-2002, 01:30 | posts: 3,035 | Location: Western Canada

Quote:

Originally posted by Psychosematic

My board can easily do 400 on an unlocked XP as long as you have quality RAM.

I'm actually thinking about selling my Corsair PC2700 so I can buy some Samsung PC3200 and run at 400x8 with a 1/6 PCI divider

Hehe...you got your response in just as I was writing mine...have you actually tried 400mhz yet? I've seen Corsair PC2700 run at 400+ speeds...it doesn't on mine though

, I suspect my chipset is what is pooping out as I run my mem past 390.

venom650_19 · 09-07-2002, 04:25 | posts: 268 | Location: Washington

Quote:

Originally posted by turbo
Ummmm, sorry to burst your bubble but via has already launch the kt400 chipset with runs at 200mhz fsb dual pump. There is no or little performance benefit for that speed.

Exactly, just finished reading a review at www.tomshardware.com about this. There is no gain by using DDR400 with the current lineup of AMD processors. In fact, in every benchmark and stability test, the DDR333 boards actually scored higher in every category with an Xp chip...

To kill two birds with one stone, in the same article was the NForce2 equipped boards, doesnt seem they lived up to the hype... "more evolutionary, than revolutionary..."

Psychosematic · 09-07-2002, 14:30 | posts: 1,941 | Location: Massachusets, USA

Quote:

Originally posted by venom650_19

Exactly, just finished reading a review at www.tomshardware.com about this. There is no gain by using DDR400 with the current lineup of AMD processors. In fact, in every benchmark and stability test, the DDR333 boards actually scored higher in every category with an Xp chip...

To kill two birds with one stone, in the same article was the NForce2 equipped boards, doesnt seem they lived up to the hype... "more evolutionary, than revolutionary..."

In Asynchronous mode (CPU runs at X MHz and RAM runs at Y MHz) you are going to see crap performance. People who overclock their CPU bus to DDR400 speeds WILL see performance boosts.

Psychosematic · 09-07-2002, 14:31 | posts: 1,941 | Location: Massachusets, USA

Quote:

Originally posted by syntax_error

Hehe...you got your response in just as I was writing mine...have you actually tried 400mhz yet? I've seen Corsair PC2700 run at 400+ speeds...it doesn't on mine though , I suspect my chipset is what is pooping out as I run my mem past 390.

No, I haven't. I run into problems when I try to pass 166

GIMMIE THE SAMSUNG BABY

syntax_error · 09-07-2002, 18:12 | posts: 3,035 | Location: Western Canada

Have you tried running as if your memory was 200mhz DDR with a 266mhz FSB? That is basically a CPU:FSB of 4:3. If this setting sticks and doesn't default back to any other CPU:Mem ratio then when you are hitting 200mhz FSB your mem will only be running 150mhz, which we know the Corsair can already beat.

That way you know if it's the memory or the CPU/Chipset that is holding you back.

venom650_19 · 09-07-2002, 20:00 | posts: 268 | Location: Washington

Quote:

Originally posted by Psychosematic

In Asynchronous mode (CPU runs at X MHz and RAM runs at Y MHz) you are going to see crap performance. People who overclock their CPU bus to DDR400 speeds WILL see performance boosts.

Sure will, for those who are comfortable with overclocking anyway. At stock speeds, I'm not too thrilled with the results, but thats the point in overclocking, right?

I just ordered the Epox 8K5A3+ mainboard with Samsung PC2700, should be interesting to see how far I can push this AGOGA cored-1900+ I purchased with them...