hey guys, i have a p4 2.8 512k 400mhz fsb(4 x 100) with 512mb ddr400(2 x 200), its a 800mhz capable board. so default ratio(SPD) is 1:2 right? is the 400mhz p4 stopping me from overclocking vs the 800mhz version? 1:1 ratio basically runs my memory at half its speed, correct? - giving me worse fps in games. if someone could clarify id be happy.

You're mostly right, and a little confused. Your procs native fsb is 400 (100x4) and you're running it paired with DDR400 which, as you pointed out is paired best with a proc that runs at 800fsb. So your ram is effectively being bottlenecked by your current cpu, hence the divider running at 1:2. But this also means you have huge headroom to overclock the fsb. Theoretically you can raise it to 200 and run 1:1 with the ram. Of course this isn't going to happen, but I'd personally change the ram ratio to 1:1 and see how far you can push the systems bus. My understanding is that the P4A Northy you have has huge potential. You should be able to get it in the 3.3-3.4 area.

Think bandwidth... 800FSB CPU (@ 200MHz) bandwidth = 6400MB/sec PC3200 (@ 200MHz) single channel mode = 3200MB/sec PC3200 (2 sticks @ 200MHz) dual channel mode = 6400MB/sec This space for rent

i went to 110fsb - 3.09ghz and its not prime95 stable, even with loose timings and i lose about 12fps avg in cs:source stress test, as i thought it would. did u mean only go 1:1 if i get a 800mhzfsb cpu? im basically trying to get the best gaming performance out of my 6600gt. i bought patriot extreme performance memory(2-3-5-2-1t) thinking my value ram was my bottleneck, it helped a lot,but now im thinking its my cpu with its 512k L2. if im going to upgrade my cpu, im think i might as well buy a new mobo and an AMD 64 since they are better for games. ive heard others getting 120 on the cs:source stress test with a 6600gt, i get low 90s. so my last questions are - do you think its a good route to get a new mobo and amd 64 cpu? and do you think that even though my patriot ram has 2-3-2-5 1t timings, could the quality of the ram stop my current cpu from being stable even at 3.09ghz? hey thanks for all your help dude and for clearing it all up!

holy crap! i just for the heck of it stuck my 512value ram back in - 1 gig total now and everything is buttery smooth. i read that having 512mb vs 1 gig would only mean slower loading times - what a bunch of crap. i thought i needed a whole new setup. this will be my last agp build before i switch to pcie. yay im happy, thanks guys!