FSB of motherboard Vs RAM speed ?

[Graham]

I am about to upgrade my computer. However, I already have a 512Mb PC2100
chip (266Mhz ?). I was keen on getting an Asus A7 Deluxe board + a new AMD
2600 Barton chip (running at 333Mhz). I understand that the memory will be
compatible, but ideally I should be running PC2600 memory (333Mhz) to
complement the chip/motherboard FSB speed ?

1. Is this correct ?
2. How much of a difference will I notice in terms of performance ?

If there is a great difference then I will simply buy the slower Athalon
2400+ which runs at the same speed as the memory (266). I dont fancy
spending more money on faster RAM.

Thanks !

 

[Pen]

Check toms hardware, as they ran some tests about this.
I believe the conclusions were that running memory non-synchronously
was a bummer. The slower cpu will probably give you the same or more
throughput than running the very slightly faster system
non-synchronously.

 

[Graham]

Superb, this was just the sort of feedback I was looking for.

It would be shame to have to buy a slower 2400 CPU (as the Barton is 2600),
but if the memory is going to cause me grief, then it seems like the way to
go.

Thanks again Pen.

 

[Pen]

You're welcome. Glad to help.

Superb, this was just the sort of feedback I was looking for.

It would be shame to have to buy a slower 2400 CPU (as the Barton is 2600),
but if the memory is going to cause me grief, then it seems like the way to
go.

Thanks again Pen.