Onboard Video & OEM CPU's

I am building a new PC based on the remains of one that has been nothing but trouble (see "Another Dumb Question" in the software section).
I have 2 questions for you wonderful Geeks.
1: I need a Momboard with onboard graphics, I'm not a gamer, and just want something to look good without extra expense. Any suggestions?
2: Is the price differential for OEM CPU's worth it? Are they that much worse than Retail CPU's? I want to get the best (i.e. fastest) AMD CPU I can that will work with DDR 266 PC 2100 memory.
I welcome any and all suggestions and comments, even those that tell me how computer illiterate I am.

 

if you want somthing to look "good" you need to have expenses ; but anyways look for an onboard GF4 MX; *be aware that they share your RAM* OEM CPUS do NOT bring HEATSINK/FAN and they are the exact same as a RETAIL CPU.

 

For a NON gaming computer, onboard graphics are just fine. Currently the nVidia nForce boards have the best graphics, also good quality onboard sound, and most come with built-in LAN and other goodies, which can save you some more money.

OEM CPUs are just the same as the retail boxed versions, less the box, the heatsink/fan, and most importantly, less any factury support or warranty. A real "OEM" (original equipment manufacturer) covers their own warranties, and just eat the few defectives that crop up. Most resellers that sell OEM CPUs offer a very short warranty that will cover out-of-the-box failures, but beyond that, you're on your own. Which is generally fine, as if it works when you first install it, it's likely to last a long time, short of abuse.
You'll have to choose your own heatsink/fan, but that's not all bad; you can do better than the factory setup if you want to. I always buy OEM CPUs, haven't had any problems yet.

[edit] You beat me to it Omegamerc.

 

and in half the typing

 

The one thing i don't like about OEM CPUs is that its really dissapointing to get in the post its a tiny cardboard box about and inch square with 2 bits of foam in it and a processor.

But hey I can live with that, i get about £15 off

 

Personally here in Oz , I have always purchased 'Boxed Cpu's' ,
Can't find any price diff, and has full warranty , and all the peripherals ,eg Heatsik , fan etc.
Which can be changed later ta suit individual tastes...

 

Memory compatability

I found that the memory in my "donor" system is Spectek PC2100 DDR.
I can't find the bus speed, but figure it is probably no higher than 266.
If I buy a new CPU with a higher speed how much will the slower memory affect things?
Also, can I use a Momboard with 400 BUS?
I am beginning to enjoy this stuff.

 

Current boards all allow setting the ram's clock speed separately from the CPU speed, normally with a multiplier/divider off of the general FSB speed, so you can run a faster CPU with slower ram and have both at optimum timing.

Running slower ram WILL cause a performance hit, as data transfer in/out of ram will be slower, but not hugely, and you can always upgrade the ram down the road as long as the board supports the faster stuff.

Your PC2100 is clocked at a true 100 Mhz, which is effectively 200 Mhz since it is "double data rate" ram.

 

Excelent Now you've got the bragging rights that youve built and understand your own machine Just wait soon people will be asking you to build PCs for them

Agreed it is best to have hardware matched FSB, rather than running one at a different speed to the other, even if seperated. If I remember correctly, you can play around with your clock divider to get a fairly good speed out of both without overclocking or underclocking, with a little work. I'll dig up a link on clock dividers... very useful information!

 

Thanks, Goldfish. That would be a lot of help. I'm still looking at Momboards & trying to figure whether I should go for what will work well with the AMD 1500+ in mt current heap. Or if I should go whole (well, at least most) hog and get a 2800+

Does anyone have a read on the differences among the various Athlon types (i.e., Thorobred, Barton, etc).

It strikes me odd that a higher speed CPU of one type costs less money than a lower speed of a different type. Are other factors at play, like stability, reliability, etc? Or is it just a "name" thing?

Also, I am very curious about Athlon XP vs Athlon MP. Are the MP models that much better?

 

hey goldy...check out what my oem 2600+ came in

http://mike.sunnybrookedge.com/pc/pics_016.jpg

 

Nope, still waiting

OK, I had ordered a Momboard, but then found out that it does not have onboard video (drat) and am going to have to RMA it.
This has put the reassembly back by about 2 weeks (at least) but, that's what I get for basing buying decision on the reviews, rather than the specs. Actually, I misread the specs, too.
But I am still going to do this (I am, I am) and hope to have the new one up and running before June.