Intel 845 chipset or SIS 645DX chipset?

RAR · January 18th, 2003, 02:37 PM

I'm getting a new mb and processor. I've already picked the P4 2.4B GHz 512K 533MHz CPU Northwood P478 Processor. Now I'm trying to get a reasonably priced mb. The 645 chipset comes with 533fsb and takes PC133 or PC2100. The 845 takes PC2100 only. The thing is that I have 512MB of PC133 memory already so if I go with the SIS 645DX chipset I don't have to buy any more memory right now. Eventually I can upgrade to PC2100 when it is cheaper. So, given that, which chipset would you guys recommend and if I did go with the 645 with PC133, would I be taking a big performance hit. Thanks in advance for any help or opinions!

RAR

bill1971 · January 18th, 2003, 02:56 PM

Hi,RAR:
Most folks around here will tell you to forget the PC133, as it will bottleneck that P4 - go with the DDR.

The 845 Intel chipset will probably be more stable, but I've seen some impressive benchmarks with the Sis645 chipset. I personally have no experience with Sis.

So, your budgetary constraint regarding your existing RAM might be the determining factor for you. I think you're making the right price/performance point by choosing the 2.4B chip.

- Bill

thekingofpain · January 18th, 2003, 02:57 PM

Never had the dx but im entirely happy with an IT7 Max with the 845e---oc'd of course---im using a 2.4b with OCZPC3500 and stock air cooling for 3.06---pinwrapped the P4 for 1.80 volts but there is an updated bios that allows 1.85v without the mod---mem bandwidth is about equal to a rambus setup---cheap speed...

Sweeper · January 18th, 2003, 05:18 PM

MSI 845 PE-Max 2.0
I run it and it has been a great MB. Just today I was able to get my 2.4a up to 3GHz. (Soon as I get my taxes I'm getting a 2.53 P4 or higher w/ 533FSB)

maface · January 18th, 2003, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sweeper
MSI 845 PE-Max 2.0
I run it and it has been a great MB. Just today I was able to get my 2.4a up to 3GHz. (Soon as I get my taxes I'm getting a 2.53 P4 or higher w/ 533FSB)

I agree with Sweeper I would go with 845PE chipset it supports PC2700 look at anandtech for MB reviews

Etruscan · January 18th, 2003, 06:35 PM

I would definitely get the SiS chipset board, if I were you. They provide the flexibility you want, as far as memory goes, at a very affordable price. SiS chipsets are turning in some of the fastest benchmarks with the P4 right now too. Use your SDRAM for now. Do you have any apps that need that extra 5% performance the DDR is going to give your new P4? Probably not, if your like most of us. Your going to get the most for your money with the SiS 645 dual memory board by far.

thekemp · January 18th, 2003, 06:42 PM

i have a lot of experience with the sis 645 chipset but what motherboard is it your getting, i have never seen one that accepts sd-ram. the 645 is a good chipset but it isnt as stable and the driver support isnt as good as the intel 845.
imo pc2700 memory would be a better bet with a p4 the more memory bandwidth availible to the p4 the faster it performs.

RAR · January 18th, 2003, 10:38 PM

Here is the one I was looking at. It is only $58.

ECS P4S5A/DX+ SiS645DX Chipset ATX Motherboard - RETAIL
Specifications:
CPU Supported: Socket 478 for Intel Pentium 4 Processors
Chipset: SiS 645DX & SiS 962L
FSB: 533MHz
RAM: 2x 184-pin DDR DIMM sockets or 2x 168-pin DIMM socket support (cannot be used simultaneously)
Slots: 5x PCI, 1x AGP, 1x AMR
Ports: 1x PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard, 2x USB, Audio, 2x Serial, 1x Parallel
Onboard Lan and Audio(AC'97)

Dokeman · January 18th, 2003, 10:46 PM

2 very helpful hints.

1)Get and Intel based mobo vs. the Sis

2)DONT buy and ECS/Amptron/PCchips/ motherboard. They are all the same boards, and they are all junk. I say get an intel brand board for max stability and an abit if you wanna overclock.