Guys, I am really confused on what CPU to buy with my Asus P4VP-MX (not the latest). These are the questions I wish to know the answer. 1. Is my Asus P4VP-MX FSB 533 compatible with Intel's Pentium 4 800 Mhz FSB processors? The socket is 478, same as mine, so is it? What will happen if I try to insert one? 2. Which among these two processors do you recommend for me (disregard budget limit): a. Intel Pentium 4 2.8A Ghz (Prescott), 1MB L1 Cache OR b. Intel Pentium 4 3.06 Ghz (Northwood, I guess) with HT Technology? I will use my system for video editing, 3D/2D graphics, programming, and my last priority -- games. 3. Are the two processors above overclockable? Thanks. I will write follow-ups. anmjoven

You answered your own question. You have a 533FSB board...an 800FSB "may" work, but at a severely reduced speed. For example, if you have a 2.8GHz/800FSB CPU which is supposed to be clocked at 14 x 200MHz & you install it in your 533FSB board, it would only run at 1.87GHz (14 x 133MHz). I don't think you'd want that...lol. I suggest you check the links below before you end up with the wrong CPU. Use the 2nd link to find out which CPUs are compatible with your board. It looks like the max you can run is P4-3.06 GHz (533 FSB, L2 cache:512KB, HT). http://www.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=P4VP-MX&langs=01 http://www.asus.com.tw/support/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx

BTW, all CPUs are overclockable to some degree, some more than others...the board is usually the limiting factor.

i recoment getting a new motherboard... since u said the budget is less of a problem, go out and spend 150-200 bucks on a good 800mhz board, u will be glad u did, lol im an amd guy, so im not too grat with p4s, reaserch to get a unlocked p4 (i dont know if thats a problem with p4s, it is with amd) and get urself a zalman fan, or something that is rated high in the overclocking community, quality power supply and ram is also a must for a successful overclock, fyi but warning, early prescots (early 2005) will run very hot, which is not good for overclocking, i recomend p4expreme (500 series), they, i think, run the best dont overdo ur overclock, losing a chip is not fun :) good luck 0.0 ""

"reaserch to get a unlocked p4 (i dont know if thats a problem with p4s, it is with amd)" all P4's are multiplier locked "but warning, early prescots (early 2005) will run very hot, which is not good for overclocking, i recomend p4expreme (500 series), they, i think, run the best" early prescotts? they date long before the current year..mine doesn't run hot at all and all i have is air for cooling and i am running overclocked, so far a 315 mhz overclock, my current memory is limiting me from going farther... p4expreme? what's that? by 500 series, do you mean LGA775 ( socket t )? for example: 520,530,540,550,560 "dont overdo ur overclock, losing a chip is not fun :) " you're not going to lose a cpu from overclocking, the P4's have thermal throttling protection you may want to stick to AMD advice, since you are " im an amd guy, so im not too grat with p4s" now to original message: take a look at this cpu http://www.pcprogress.com/product.asp?m1=pw&pid=INP4%2D533%2D306BOX Abit AS8 LGA775 2.8 @ 3.15 Prescott 512 Corsair XMS PC3200 128 meg Radeon 9800 Pro DUAL 36 GIG WD Raptors 21 in. 19.8 viewable Sony Trinitron 3+ Mbps cable connection

Thanks guys. You did not answer my #2 question. Which is really important: HT or Prescott technology? anmjoven

Tbird4point6LX97, I decided not to comment on Eugene's advice, but I agree with everything you wrote. John Raul II Joven, Instead of taking anyone's word for it, go to the source. That's why I posted the Asus link's in response # 1. Just select your motherboard from the list & you'll find out exactly which CPUs are supported by your board & which BIOS file is necessary. http://www.asus.com.tw/support/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx