ok i just bought a new PC (the parts.. I put it together). I bought a XFX Mach4 NF24-ALH mobo, AMD 2500+ barton core cpu, and 256 Ultra OC 2700 memory. After installing all the stuff and booting the PC I tried to install windows and kept gettin alot of read/out of memory errors. I switched it with the memory in my compaq (i dont know what kind it is) and the errors went away.

Whoops only posted half my message.. Now my question come to the bios settings for FSB/mem speed and timings. The FSB for a XP 2500+ is 333mhz. Should I set my FSB to this in the bios? Even in expert mode in bios it wont let me go higher than 233mhz. The CPU registers as a 2500+ in windows so im not really concerned about that part. What i am concerned about is the memory timings. I got a new stick of pc2700 and it seems to work with no problems. During the bios startup however it says its running at 166mhz instead of 333mhz. Does this mean the memory is running slower than it should? Another interesting thing is in bios the CPU temp reads 40c, but the CPU/memory NEVER EVER EVER get hot. I have the side panel off my case to check it make sure it wasent getting too hot, but when i touch the heatsink, its cool to the touch. Im sure its making contact with the CPU. I just thought that was wierd, I do have alot of case cooling but my compaq heatsink and memory are hot when the box has been running. Any ideas/help with the memory speed or timings would help. When i try to raise the bus speed it wont boot after I go over 200mhz. Thanks. Oh yea im running WinXP Pro SP1.

333 MHz is the FSB speed. In the BIOS you are probably setting the CPU External Frequency which is half that. In other words if you set the CPU External Frequency to 166 MHz, the FSB will be set to 333 MHz. If you run the memory at the FSB speed of 333 MHz then the CPU and memory will be in sync. PC2700 is meant to run at 333 MHz so it is best to set it at that speed unless you have better than average RAM and wish to overclock it. AAMD XP2500+ = 1833 MHz CPU External Frequency = 166.6 MHz CPU Frequency Multiplier = 11.0 CPU Internal Frequency = CPU External Frequency x CPU Frequency Multiplier CPU Internal Frequency = 166.6 x 11.0 CPU Internal Frequency = 1833 MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) = 2 x CPU External Frequency Front Side Bus (FSB) = 2 x 166.6 MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) = 333 MHz The CPU temperature depends on many factors: 1. Heat sink size and material 2. Heat sink fan size and speed which transforms into air flow 3. Cooling capacity of case which depends upon number of fans, fan locations, air flow through case, etc. The case temperature reading itself will affect the CPU temperature. Its value not only depends upon the three items above but the room temperature. In other words a room temperature of 22 deg C will translate in a cooler case and CPU than a room at 26 deg C. All this means is all termperature reading are relative. I have a ASUS A7N8X Dlx with a AMD XP2800+. My current temps are: Case = 31C CPU Diode = 58C (same as BIOS) CPU Socket = 48C Your 40C looks pretty good to me. Of course my room temperature is 26C. If I did not have 6 case fans then my CPU would even be hotter.