Havent been a system in months, need help with latest technology

[jaytone]

HI
Its been over 6 months since I built my last system (Asus CUSL 2 C, P 3 850, PC 133 memory) and now that I am getting back into it, I am completely lost at the newest technology terms.

I have read a little and decided to go with a new CPU, case, motherboard and memory and use the remaining hardware out of the above unit ( soundblaster Audiogy, 60 gig Maxtor, Geforce 3 Ti 200, modem, etc)

Here is where I need the help in questions.

1. I am leaning towards the Asus P4B533-E that uses DDR PC2100/1600 or the Asus P4T533 that uses RDRAM (which I assume is RAMBUS ?). I dont see where Crucial sells Rambus if I decide on this one. SO, Which motherboard am I better off with.

2. I see both mention running at a 533 bus speed. does that mean I have to get a P4 that runs at 533mhz to ?

3. Does DDR PC1600/2100 run at 533 mhz, if not which DD memory does

4. I checked Crucial site and they show two types of modules, PC 2100 or PC 2700, but Asus site does not mention the P4B533E using PC 2700, only PC1600/2100. What is PC2700 ?

5. If I opt for the DDR memory mother board, which speed should I buy. I am confused at all the different memory speeds PC800, PC 1600, PC 2100, PC2700 ?

6. Lastly, is there anything I should know about the above motherboards, pro or con. When I use to be an avid reader, I remember hearding stories about bad motheboards, video card companies, etc.

Any advise and answers sure would be appreciated.

 

[Zepper]

I'm not into Intel CPUs, but I can help with the memory questions. DDR is 1600, 2100, 2700 and soon there will be another. 1600=100, 2100-133, 2700=166 and the new one will =200MHz FSB clock, which equal 200, 266, 300 and the new one will be 400MHz theoretical data rate. Any DDR mobo should be able to handle any of these modules (but may require a BIOS update to support new types produced later than the mobo). If you put one in that's rated higher than what your machine can actually do, it will just run at whatever your machine can do--just as it has always been with RAM. And maybe you can get a better CAS refresh rate out of a faster module than what your machine really needs--but probably better to get modules that are actually rated CAS2 if you neeed the slight extra performance. There are all sorts of FAQ pages on the Cricial web site that can answer all your memory questions except perhaps about Rambus RAM.
And you're right, Crucial (Micron Tech.) doesn't make RDRAM. Samsung is probably the biggest RDRAM producer. Rambus has its own web site if you want to know more about it.
Rambus is currently the fastest memory solution for P4 if you are willing to pay the price.
.bh.