Ok i have finally got my nf7-s and put it in my comp. Because of my RAM situation at the time i was using 256mb kingston value ram that is pc2100. then i ordered 2 Geil 256 pc3200 sticks and took out my 2100 stick. i started the comp and it reads something like: memory fequency for 400. then it says something about my cpu is unusable and i should check the softmenu. i look around and see nothing has changed so i save and exit the my bios. it restarts the comp and all of a sudden says: memory requency for 266! WHAT THE HECK i just spent good money on my board and ram so why does it treat me so bad. i tried looking in my manual to see if there is a way to change the frequency but the manual isn't what i would like ot call, well written if anyone can help me fix this it would be great.
By the way i am using a AMD xp 1700+ palomino proc if that may have anything to do with it.

Well, its going to run at 266 unless you overclock. It runs synced with the processor FSB unless you up it. But remember, that overclocks your processor also, so make sure you have a cooling solution that can handle it.

It defaulted to 266MHz because it is first choice for the bios to run sync with the processor FSB.
So basically, unless you are going to overclock, any ram over PC2100 is useless for your processor. Try running that 1700+ at 8x200 and up the FSB in 0.5x notches until you can no longer boot to desktop, then set it back 0.5x. When you set your overclock, also set ram to "100%" so it operates @ 400MHz DDR.

Edit: I see you have a 1700+ Palomino. I doubt that will even get near 200FSB, but you can try. I would upgrade to a 2100+ T-Bred, 2500+ Barton, or better. Otherwise you should return that ram, as it's higher frequency capabilities are useless unless you overclock.

You can run your ram asynchronously to capitalize on your ram speed in your current configutration. Real world performance enhancement is ulikely though.

I would keep the ram and the mobo. Plan on a proc upgrade as your next upgrade. Something with 133 FSB and huge oc potential like a Thoroughbred 1700+ would be good. Or get something with a 166 FSB and decent overclockability like a 2500+ Barton. Or something with a 200 FSB and little oc potential like a 3200+ Barton.

You can find all kinds of used 1700+ JIUHB DLT3C (DUT3C) Thoroughbreds used right now ($40-$60) they will regularily oc to 2200-2400 with FSB of 200+.

Well, all is not lost, I have seen Paliminos go to 150FSB, and with luck, you might hit 166FSB or more.

What you need to do is try and see if it will boot up at a lower multiplier, try the 9x and reboot.

If that works good, if not, the multiplier is locked on your CPU, and can be modified to unlock.

If the 9x multiplier works, then try 150FSB, then 166FSB.

Beware all new Bartons and T-Breds made after week 38 are LOCKED, so if you order a new CPU, you need to find a Unlocked one from somewhere (Try your local computer store, they don't restock as fast as Online retailers and you can tell the "Locked CPU's" by the codes on the package I think)

ok necro i was really thinking about that 2400 thorton core proc do you think that is a bad decision?

I am seeing lots of threads at other websights lately saying all new AMD's have locked multipliers...

Starting with the Barton 2500's they permanatly locked it internally, just like an Intel processor.

It seems around week 38 of this year (Sept-Oct) they changed the process on the assembly line, and no one has been able to crack it so far. They moved on to T-Breds and Durons shortly after they Locked the Bartons, and I would guess this might include the Thorten.

What I would do is find a retailer with older stock, even if you have to pay more, and find an unlocked CPU. Keep in mind NewEgg is selling thousands of CPU's a month, so old stock moves quick. Some of the less popular and more expensive ones may be old, and Unlocked but it's a gamble.

I think they changed the Retail Box around that time, so that may give you a clue too. There are codes on the Box, and I will be checking this out soon and will let you know more on picking the good ones out.

Best bet is a small retail store in your area, they are more expensive than online CPU's but they don't sell very fast, so you may find an old one in the Display case. This gives you a chance to look at it, and find a good one.

I like the XP1700, 1800, 2100 and 2400 T-Bred cores, and the Barton 2500 and 2800's.

EDIT: I will be adding links and updating this post as I go

Long Thread

LINK 1

the proc is unlocked so now i just need to step it up little by little right?
at what multiplier should i goto 150? because at 9 it would only be 1350. the default is 1.47 isn't it?

Abit boards sometimes won't work with the 10, or 10.5 multiplier.

I suggested 9 to make sure u don't run into that problem. Then you can see what the max FSB your CPU can handle.

Or you can just leave the stock multiplier alone and bump up the FSB.

You have DDR400 now, so 9x200FSB will be 1800MHZ, and your Palomino might not go that high. If your CPU is capable of 400FSB, you will probably need a 7 or 7.5 multiplier to find out.

Palomino cores aren't the greatest for overclocking, especialy if you haven't upgraded the Heatsink and Fan, 200 or 300MHZ is doing well, and thats with decent cooling.