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    Read the hardware sticky, still looking for some clarification

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by snowbrdkid, Oct 20, 2008.

  1. snowbrdkid

    snowbrdkid Notebook Consultant

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    I'm looking at getting a dell xpsm1330 refurb. I'm trying to figure out how fsb MHz and RAM Mhz compare. The processor is the T8100(2.1Ghz/3MB Cache/800 MHz FSB). It has 4GB DDR2 667Mhz RAM. From what looking on the internet told me, the computer won't actually be able to use the full 800MHz FSB because of the memory?

    If its not a good combo, would I be better off getting a processor w/ 667MHz FSB? Those processors have 2MB cache though, would that make a difference?


    Thanks
     
    snowbrdkid, Oct 20, 2008
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  2. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    The CPU will run at a FSB of 800MHz, whereas the memory will run at a frequency of 667MHz....Memory frequency cannot be higher than the FSB, but can be less or equal, and the lower memory frequency will not downclock the FSB.

    It is basically a chipset limitation, and the GMCH has the memory frequency capped to 333MHz(*2) or 667MHz....Higher FSB -> more bandwidth for he NB components.

    The T8100 is a good overall CPU, runs slightly cooler, and runs non-multimedia intensive tasks better than the meroms. CPU cache usage varies from one app to another....

    It depends alot upon the tasks you will be running (?), which may help you to decide which CPU is best for your needs....
     
    Andy, Oct 20, 2008
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  3. snowbrdkid

    snowbrdkid Notebook Consultant

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    90% of the time, I only use MS Word/Excell/PPT and firefox. Sometimes I used itunes or WMP. I usually run alot of tabs or have a few firefox's going and have a bunch of word or excell files open. Would that justify it?
    I want more FSB just to have it, I just want to make sure I'm not wasting my money by getting a processor and RAM that won't work well together
     
    snowbrdkid, Oct 20, 2008
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  4. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Well depends upon the price difference between the two configs - one with the T8100 and the other with a T5xxx.

    For the tasks you mentioned, none are CPU intensive, so a T5xxx (Merom) will be fine.

    You can however, upgrade the HDD to a faster 320GB 7200RPM (which are super-cheap atm), and have 2GB/+ RAM.

    With a faster HDD, the app loading times will improve alot and performance will be crispier. You would need 2GB/+ RAM when multi-tasking and using FF with multiple tabs, so that you can avoid using the HDD for cache....

    (If 4GB RAM, better to have a 64-bit OS)
     
    Andy, Oct 20, 2008
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  5. TehSuigi

    TehSuigi Notebook Virtuoso

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    Well, correct me if I'm wrong then, but don't a faster FSB improve communication with a dedicated GPU and other components?
     
    TehSuigi, Oct 20, 2008
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