A specific question involving GPU core clock speeds

[Razor]

Hi all, long time and no see  Good to be back.

I am looking at upgrading my graphics card and RAM. While doing research on ram I found out my Motherboard (Asus P5ND2-SLI Series) can only take up to DDR2-667mhz RAM speeds.

My question is this: Is there such a limit on the core clock speeds of a new graphics card? The card I am looking at is the Nividia Gforce 9600GT. There are two versions; one has a core clock speed of 650mhz and the other 720mhz. Here some links for more info:
 
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/VGA/Products_Spec.aspx?ClassValue=VGA&ProductID=2774&ProductName=GV-NX96T512H-B

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/VGA/Products_Spec.aspx?ProductID=2785  (This is my prefered one and has a clock speed of 720)

The pricing is similar and from what I can tell the only major difference is the clock speed, so I want to know if my motherboad will take it.

My Power supply is 420W so I dont think there is a problem there, and I am running a pentium 4 single core 3Ghz processor. My current card is a Geforce 6600GT so I'm hoping for a big difference in the cards.

Thanks in advance for your advice

Razor

[Calum]

There's no limit on the graphics card clock speeds, no.
You'll also notice a good performance increase from that card - I would say your next upgrade, if your motherboard can take it, should be the CPU.
Hope this helps.

[Razor]

Thank you very much Calum, thats a great help, and relief.

Speaking about the CPU, my mother board will take up to a Duel core, but I can only find up to a 2.4 Ghz Duel core in our shops. Would this speed duel core be any faster than a single core 3Ghz?


Razor

[Calum]

It all depends on the actual models of the CPUs you are looking at.
What CPUs will your board actually take?
We can recommend one from there if you like.

[Razor]

Thanks Calum
Ok we are starting to go in a little over my knowledge with this stuff. 

This is straight from the manual

P5ND2-SLI Series specifications summary

LGA775 socket for Intel® Pentium® Processor Extreme
Edition/Intel® Pentium® D/Intel® Pentium® 4/
Intel® Celeron® processors
Compatible with Intel® PCG 05B/05A and 04B/04A
processors
Supports Intel® Enhanced Memory 64 Technology (EM64T)
Supports Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology (EIST)
Supports Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology
(Note:   Due to chipset limitation, the Intet® Pentium® 0 820
processor works only in single-core mode.)


CPU section in manual

The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA775 socket desigr
the Intel® Pentium® D, Intel® Pentium® 4 and Intel® Celeron® processoi
the 775-land package.

This motherboard supports the Intel® Pentium® Processor Extreme Ed
the latest CPU with embedded dual physical cores and Hyper-Threadir
technology, making four CPU threads possible. Refer to the table belo
the operating system support status.

                OS Licensing support list
Intel Dual-Core CP support              Intel Dual-core CPU and
                         hyper-threading Technology support

Windows® 2000 Advanced Server          Windows® XP Home

Windows® XP Home                   Windows® XP Professional

Windows® XP Professional                   Windows® Server 2003 - Standa~
            Enterprise
Windows® Server 2003 - Standard,
Enterprise


•   Due to chipset limitation, Intel® Pentium® D 820 processors wc
only in single-core CPU mode.

•   Due to chipset limitation, dual-core processors cannot support
Intel® EIST, TM2, and Cl E functions.


•   Install a chassis fan with at least a speed of 2400 rpm and 8 Cl
turnrate when using a dual-core CPU to ensure system stability

Overheating can permanently damage the system and/or CPU.
•   Install an additional chassis fan to ensure better air flow when
overciocking.

•   Upon purchase of the motherboard, make sure that the PnP cai
on the socket and the socket contacts are not bent. Contact y~
retailer immediately if the PnP cap is missing, or if you see any
damage to the PnP cap/socket contacts/motherboard compon
ASUS will shoulder the cost of repair only if the damage is shipn
transit-related.

•   Keep the cap after installing the motherboard. ASUS will proces
Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) requests only if the
motherboard comes with the cap on the LGA775 socket.
•   The product warranty does not cover damage to the socket
contacts resulting from incorrect CPU installation/removal, or
misplacement/loss/incorrect removal of the PnP cap.



I can understand some of this jargon but I still can't tell exactaly what cpu my motherboard will take. It has been suggested to me that I upgrade my Graphics card and Ram as planned then wait a bit and upgrade my motherboard and get a really good CPU rather than being limited to lesser CPU's.

What do you think?

[Calum]

From some Google searching, I'd recommend you wait and upgrade your board and CPU at the same time, that board won't take newer CPUs.

[Razor]

Ok, thanks heaps Calum, I will do that.

Thanks once again for your advice, it has been most helpful.

Razor