Memory possibly slowing down processor support

[koxy333]

Heya,

I have just finished building my new Uber-Super Computer for which I intend to play Doom3 on. I decided to use some existing 512MB x2 DDR 2100 RAM but have come across a problem where my new 3Ghz AMD processor will not crank up to full speed (The FSB is only showing support up to 233Mhz!?) I have updated the bios with the latest version and my board (A7N8X-X) is advertised as currently supporting upto 400FSB. Does the speed of your memory limit the speed you can have your processor set to? And do i now hae to go out and by new memory as well! This thing is costing me a fortune (especially considering its the end of the month and a week and a half until i get paid)

It was quite funny actually because the PC shop where i went had nearly sold out of high end graphics cards over the weekend so i have to opt for a bloody 6800fx and the shop owner had a big smile on his face! (im a mug, before anyone tells me)The wonders of doom huh? I'm desparate get it working to see what its like. Some people say its cr*p but i'm in need of a new PC anyway.. Cheers for anyones thoughts

[Steve]

Tried changing the CPU:Mem ratio, if possible?

[Andyr]

Yes thats definatly a memory related problem. You purchased PC2100 which has a maxium FSB (Front side Bus) speed of 133 mhz whilst your processor would need to run on at least PC3200 which has a FSB of 400.

remember:
Memory speed (FSB) X CPU Multiplier = CPU Speed

For example
Say i had PC3200 memory (running at 200 mhz) and a CPU multi of 11X my CPU speed would be as follows:
200 X 11 = 2200 mhz.

My CPU would run at 2.2 ghz give or take a few mhz's.

PC2100 memory can not go higher than 133 mhz and the CPU your CPU would have a multi of around 15 or so (not 100% sure exactly which CPU you would have but i guessed that you had the AMD Athlon XP 3200).

You are best of upgrading to at least PC2700 (altough i would highly recommend setting the FSB to 200 and sticking PC3200 in your comp whilst reducing the multi to arround 12).

To make it easier for you i have found some possible RAM to purchase for your new system.
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=46420

[yamangman]

As a matter of fact, and Athlon XP 3200+ has a multiplier of 11, and a Bus Speed of 200Mhz, the front side bus is twice the processors Bus Speed, so the FSB would be 400 MHz.

To the oringinal poster, you should be able to achive the correct speed for your processor, but any 'automatic' settings in your BIOS may need to be overidden by you to achieve the correct bus speed and multiplier. Change to the 'advanced' timing settings for your Bus speed settings/timings and enter in the correct timings manually.

[GreenPiggy]

You have a 3GHz AMD processor

[koxy333]

Thanks for your help guys, (nice post Andyr) and yeah It's a 3Ghz Processor.. a complete beast... and a 6800fx graphics card... the devil made me do it.... I couldnt really afford it but he does crazy things to my mind