Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Razor on August 21, 2008, 03:06:14 AM
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Thanks Calum
Ok we are starting to go in a little over my knowledge with this stuff. :P
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?
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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.
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Ok, thanks heaps Calum, I will do that.
Thanks once again for your advice, it has been most helpful.
Razor