Are specifications of Motherboard important?
1. FSB / RAM speed limits
In motherboard specifications, it will specify the max FSB and RAM speed support (eg 1333 FSB and DDR2 667). Nevertheless, as long as the motherboard supports overclocking, it appears I can overclock FSB more than 1333 and RAM more than 800.
So what do all those figures really mean? What are they really for if I can simply ignore the figures and pass the limits?
If I buy a DDR2 800 RAM, am I able to use in a motherboard which says to support DDR2 667 only? If so, how will the RAM run (being underclocked to 667??) ?
What if I overclock the RAM, am I able to let my RAM run at a speed higher than 667?
2. 3 or more monitors
If I want to use 3+ monitors, I believe I need 2 graphic cards, isn't it? If so, do I need a motherboard with two PCIe x16 slots to install 2 graphic cards? What about other PCIe slots like PCIe x1 slots?
3. PCIe x1
What's the use of PCIe x1 slots? Are PCIe x1 cards common? Are they cheaper or dearer than the older PCI cards?
I would like to get a modem card (to fax with my computer) and Ethernet card. Should I go for old PCI or the new PCIe?
4. RAM compatibility
I'm a bit worried that the RAM I purchase can't work nicely with my motherboard. I wonder if I should strictly limit my choices to those which are in my motherboard "RAM compatibility list".
Question about RAM model number: Take A-Data DDR2 800 for example, there are several models available even for the same RAM speed. Will there be cases where a model from brand A can cause compatibility problems while another model from brand B won't? I just wonder if I should take the model number into account when I try to pick a compatible RAM for my motherboard.
My PC Info which may be helpful:
CPU: Intel E2180
RAM: 2GB or 2GBx2; DDR2 667 or 800
Motherboard: not decided yet. Socket LGA 775
HDD: Western Digital WD6400AAKS (640GB, SATA2)
Display card: not decided yet. Perhaps HD2600Pro
Monitor: not decided yet. Two cheap 1680x1050 monitors
1. FSB / RAM speed limits
In motherboard specifications, it will specify the max FSB and RAM speed support (eg 1333 FSB and DDR2 667). Nevertheless, as long as the motherboard supports overclocking, it appears I can overclock FSB more than 1333 and RAM more than 800.
So what do all those figures really mean? What are they really for if I can simply ignore the figures and pass the limits?
If I buy a DDR2 800 RAM, am I able to use in a motherboard which says to support DDR2 667 only? If so, how will the RAM run (being underclocked to 667??) ?
What if I overclock the RAM, am I able to let my RAM run at a speed higher than 667?
2. 3 or more monitors
If I want to use 3+ monitors, I believe I need 2 graphic cards, isn't it? If so, do I need a motherboard with two PCIe x16 slots to install 2 graphic cards? What about other PCIe slots like PCIe x1 slots?
3. PCIe x1
What's the use of PCIe x1 slots? Are PCIe x1 cards common? Are they cheaper or dearer than the older PCI cards?
I would like to get a modem card (to fax with my computer) and Ethernet card. Should I go for old PCI or the new PCIe?
4. RAM compatibility
I'm a bit worried that the RAM I purchase can't work nicely with my motherboard. I wonder if I should strictly limit my choices to those which are in my motherboard "RAM compatibility list".
Question about RAM model number: Take A-Data DDR2 800 for example, there are several models available even for the same RAM speed. Will there be cases where a model from brand A can cause compatibility problems while another model from brand B won't? I just wonder if I should take the model number into account when I try to pick a compatible RAM for my motherboard.
My PC Info which may be helpful:
CPU: Intel E2180
RAM: 2GB or 2GBx2; DDR2 667 or 800
Motherboard: not decided yet. Socket LGA 775
HDD: Western Digital WD6400AAKS (640GB, SATA2)
Display card: not decided yet. Perhaps HD2600Pro
Monitor: not decided yet. Two cheap 1680x1050 monitors
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