Hi there, i'm currently in the process of pricing up building my own system, I want a P4 fast processor, but all the computer jargopn is sending me round the bend. When looking for a motherboard i obviosly need one that is suitable to the p4 processor, correct? (i.e. p4 478pin into a motherboard 478pin). What I dont understand, if I put a Intel Pentium 4 3.06Hz Socket 478 into a Pentium 4 Socket 478, 5.1, 800MHz motherboard, would it be compatiable or would the system just blow up as soon as i turn it on?? Thats the only thing that concerns me at the moment about building a pc, may seem a dumb question to you lot but I only have basic knowledge of computer building.

The Intel Pentium 4 3.06Hz Socket 478 comes in two flavors; 533 MHz and 800 MHz FSB speeds. When looking at a motherboard you must make certain its specifications allow for the FSB speed of your processor. In other words, the processor will be one of the aforementioned FSB speeds (800 MHz is faster), while the motherboard may accomodate either FSB speeds. As an example, this motherboard will NOT support 800 MHz FSB (its max is 533) .. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=44943&item=3486275484&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW This motherboard will .. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=44943&item=3487067377&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW When looking at motherboards, the chipset is what counts. This Intel page has a matrix of their chipsets .. http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/linecard.htm?iid=ipp_browse+chpsts_compare& Good luck, Sandor

ok thankyou that has made everything alot easier for building. thanks sandor