double dual channel????

[Waldo2k2]

Am I seeing things? I couldn't uncover anything in the spec's. Take a look at this and tell me what's going on. My first thought is either 2 sets of dual channel, or 2 channels that can hold two sticks of ram:
http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage....128-190-01.JPG

[TravisS]

Going shopping?

Nah, it's still just dual channel. But you can use 4 sticks of RAM for dual channel instead of only 2. So, for example, 2x512 or 4x256 would both be dual channel. Not sure about 3 sticks of RAM being in dual still.

If you are looking to buy a new motherboard, I would reccomend either an Abit NF7-S or DFI Lanparty "B" over that gigabyte (not saying it's a bad board, just that there are better).

[Waldo2k2]

actually this is for a friend, this is the 4th computer i've built for somebody, and my first top of the line (can't remember why i took the gigabyte over the lan party...but i am using the gigabyte):

that mobo
amd 3200+ 400fsb
1gb dual channel corsair pc3200
ATI 9700 pro (he didn't want to upgrade to save $$)
2x80gb SATA hdd's
plus the rest of the system (monitor and the whole shabang)
$1725

[TravisS]

What's the chances I can convince you go Athlon 64

The Barton 3200+ is about $220 at newegg
The A64 3000+ is about $225 at newegg

A64 3000+ > Barton 3200+


[edit]

That 7NNXP mobo is $155 retail (you're not going barebone are you?)
The K8N Pro is $119

The A64 route is CHEAPER too. Would be silly stupid to go with that Athlon XP...

[ober]

I'm not sure what you mean by "dual channel", but to me that board allows you to use DDR or SDRAM... and you have two slots of each. Hence the different colors. Maybe I just don't understand the question!?

[TravisS]

single channel = single stick of RAM = 64 bit mem bus
double channel = two (or 4) sticks of RAM = 128 bit mem bus

double channel theortically doubles the bandwidth. at 200 MHz FSB you can achieve up to 3.2 Gb/s throughput, but in the "real world" this is rarely achieved and dual channel normally isn't worth much more than 5%-10% performance increase.

That board only accepts DDR, the different colors are used (generally) to specify which slots are used for dual channel (i.e. blue+blue = dual channel, yellow + yellow = dual channel, blue + yellow = single channel)

[ober]

AH HA... thanks for the explaination Travis. Ya learn something new everyday.

[Waldo2k2]

>>What's the chances I can convince you go Athlon 64

after that post, chances are good

I didn't even think about 64 bit because when we were talking right away he said he didn't want it because it was more expensive...which it used to be, and I hadn't looked into it lately, but yeah I'd definetly go 64 bit even if it was only 100 more...let alone being less

[Waldo2k2]

Just realized, I'll probably just stick with the athlon xp because I'm actually getting it somewhere for $177. My friend put a price cap on the box and I'd be cutting my profit if I spend much more...I'll watch for price drops, but otherwise, I'm sticking with what I've got.

[TravisS]

Yeah, it's not like the Athlon XP 3200+ is a bad chip, and for only $177 it's a great deal too.

I wouldn't expect any price drops soon. Maybe later this month, or next month. I think the first socket 939 chips are supposed to be released some time around then. Current socket 754 chips will probably plummet in price, or at least that's my guess. I'd like to see the 3200+ or maybe even 3400+ in the sub $200 region

[Waldo2k2]

>>and for only $177 it's a great deal too
yeah, this will be the third one I've bought from there, and I haven't had any problems. In case you're interested: www.portatech.com .
Be warned, when they say OEM, they mean OEM. All of my processors have come in little pink plastic baggies stapled to heatsink installation instructions .

[linucksrox]

i can't wait to see a chip with 939 pins...
wait at that porta john site it says the athlon 64 3000 chip is $206

[ober]

That doesn't mean the # of pins... that's a model number.