Processor questions...

Hey all,

Building a new compy, and I have these parts so far:

Raidmax case (420w PS)
ASUS A7V600-X Motherboard (400mhz bus)
512MB DDR3200 RAM (400mhz)

I'm getting a Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb real soon, so I'll have that as well... it all really comes down to the processor. (I have everything else; HD, CD-ROM, ect) My computer seems to have a 400mhz FSB trend, so I was wondering about my choices... I have about 250 canadian to finish off this computer, and here are my choices... Each of the choices is about 250 canadian.

1. AMD® Athlon™XP Barton 2500+(1.83GHz) w/333Mhz FSB 512K Box and another stick of 512MB DDR.

2.AMD® Athlon™XP Barton 3200+(2.20GHz) w/400Mhz FSB 512K Box

Those are my choices. I can either:
1. Cheap out and get a decent processor and another stick of RAM, but run at 333mhz FSB (Good? Bad?)
2. Get a smokin' hot processor at 400mhz, to keep in par with my computer and keep everything evened out.

Basically, What would YOU do if you had my 2 choices? What would benefit my computer more? Would having the processor at 333mhz be dragging my computer down? Any help is appreciated!

Thanks Geeks~

--Kibb

PS: This is going to be a 3D rendering/gaming computer.

 

tough choices...i think i would go for the processor ; im ussaly a ram person but i think a 9800pro compensates for the 512mb ram; and the high speed of the ram also helps out.

 

there's not a HUGE gain from the 333fsb Bartons to the 400fsb ones... bit I agree with Omegamerc.

you shouldnt need the extra RAM that much, and higher speeds will give you a more noticeable performance gain than extra RAM would.

 

Thanks guys =D

So the general vote so far is go for option two? How much faster will my computer be if I get the 400mhz bus over the slower 333mhz? Won't running my CPU at 333mhz bring all my other computer components down to 333mhz as well?

Thanks guys! Keep it coming!

--Kibb

 

the only other component it would really affect is the RAM.

like I said, the small jump in bus speed wouldnt be a HUGE difference by itself, though noticeable, but you're also jumping up 400 mhz too, so you would see a nice change.

so yes, get the 3000+ or 3200+ with 400mhz FSB.

 

Thanks for the help, I'm going with the 3200+ =D

--Kibble