If it helps, in addition to what RBartlett wrote, *might* check the docs for any prospective p4 m/boards as it's my understanding that depending on the feature set, the ide channels may be on a separate, faster pci bus, & that would help.

I tell you this... I just built a system with a P4P800 that supports 800 MHz FSB and for sure it makes an improvement in render times. So if you are trying to decide between the older and newer chipsets and/or memory I would go with the 800 MHz.

I can't see well enough yet to write a more detailed article right now, but remember that if you're main concern is speed, not only is it the rated clock speed of the CPU important, it also depends on how tolerant the chipset is to tinkering, plus how or IF you can adjust critical BIOS settings (clock multiper) and also how high the memory frequency can be pushed and what voltage you set the CPU to run at and still have a stable system.

That said, a system supporting 800 MHz, fast premium memory, should be able to run at speeds approaching 3.4 to 3.8 GHz through overlocking using a CPU rated between 2.8 and 3.2 GHz. This is through BIOS adjustment and without needing to raise the core voltage. I'll be trying soon to see how fast I can get mine to go.

I will make a point of two things I think worth considering:
1-current benchmarking of single cpu mobos show not much improvement in going from 533 FSB to 800 FSB. The comparison was between ASUS P4PE (a single channel DDR) and an ASUS P4X800(dual channel DDR) Both boards ran a 3.0 P4.
2-the duallie will not buy you much performance increase, but, will cost an arm and a leg to buy and to upgrade the CPU's at a later date.

for my money, based on 1 and 2 above, i'd go with the single CPU config

HI Billy Boy, I'm looking at buying the P4C800 DLX. What type of RAM would you use for this board?
Paul

I can not thank you all enough for taking the time to help me make the right choice.

I am going to go with the single P4 3.0GHz CPU (800MHz FSB), and an 875 Intel Mobo, with two sticks of Samsung 512MHz DDRAM (with a low CAS LATENCY) in slots 1 & 3. I'm going to get a 20GB to 40GB Hard Drive for the OS, and software (XP Pro & VV4); and a 160GB dedicated HD for capturing, and Editing. I'm also going to get a tower with space for a removable HD, and get two 160GB drives for back up. Western Digital WD1600JB. (All of my drives will be Western Digital 7200RPM/8MB Cache Buffer) I already have a Matrox 550 Dual Display card, and a Sound Blaster Live Platinum audio card. This system will only be used for NLE, using VV4.

Feedback welcome. Again, thank you all so very, very much for caring, and sharing.

I couldn't have done it without the help of EVERYONE who took the time to answer the MANY questions that I posted. I am truly very, very grateful to you all! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Sincerely,
I_Need_Help
Tony

When you get your super-duper fully assembled, please give us your assessment of your system, the pieces and the total price.
Thanks!

The P4C800 DLX is very similar to the P4P800 I got. So it should be easy to overclock. You probably want to get at minimum 400 MHz RAM. You may want to even try faster memory if you do plan to overclock. The board you're considered as well as mine should support 434 or 467 MHZ RAM which would give some blistering speed as long as you know how to change settings in BIOS. With RAM prices as cheap as they are, be sure to get a name brand and one of their premium lines.

Just curious why are you considering the P4C800 instead of the P4P800?

Tony how much is your rig costing you?

Thanks Emmo

Thanks very much for the replies! In answer to you individually:

As soon as I get all of this put together, I'll post how it's performing. (About a week)

The Mobo, CPU, Memory, and 4 Drives are costing me $1,347.00. (Tax, shipping, and full manufactuers warranties included)

BillyBoy: The CPU I'm buying is an Intel 3.0GHz 800FSB chip. I don't know if it is a P4, or a P4C. I bought it based on the above criterion, and price. What is the difference between a P4, and a P4C chip? I was under the impression the the "C" in conjunction with the P4s, denoted that it was an 800MHz FSB chip. Let me know, what I, apparantly,
don't know.

Thanks again to all for caring, and sharing. I hope everyone's having a great holiday!

Tony

This is from memory, so perhaps someone else can confirm. The "c" series of the Pentium 4 indicate the newer 478 pin design and support for hyper threading. If you're buying the CPU and motherboard seperately, be sure you get parts that match. The older Pentium 4 chips were based on a different socket design.

The C series of chip represented the 800MHz bus speed. The B series represents 533MHz bus. The original P4 (A series) was the 400MHz bus speed. There is a 3.06 'B' chip that has hyperthreading, so C must not mean HT specifically.

EDIT: I just checked and my motherboard is a 478 pin board and I have the B chip, so the C chip must not be related to the number of CPU pins either.

Thanks for the clarification. I'm curious to know what a "P4P" chip is, if in fact there is one.

I did get a response from another source that has me a bit frazzled. As you know, BillyBoy, as do so many others; I've been on this quest for over two months, and have posted over 15 inquiries on this same subject. Now that I have finally received more than enough information, from so many nice people, via 3 different forums, to make an intelligent decision; I received a reply regarding my system that has me questioning my own sanity. I took all of the suggestions I received, then consulted with the manufacturers to be certain that I was getting what I wanted to get, and that all the components would be compatible. Remember, to make this upgrade, I'm only buying these components: A new Tower, Motherboard, CPU, and Memory. Since the CPU, and
Motherboard, are made by Intel, I contacted them. They advised me to buy the 3.0GHz
CPU with the 800MHz FSB, and Hyper Threading technology, and buy their D875PBZLK 800MHz, 478 pin socket, Motherboard. I then shopped around for the best price on quality name brand Memory. Corsair, Samsung, etc. For the money, I found that Samsung was the best, and least expensive, meeting the same criteria: Two sticks of 512MB 466MHz PC 3700 RAM with a CAS LATENCY of 2, capable of running in dual channel mode. I was just informed that the Motherboard I'm buying only supports up to the 400MHz RAM. I went to Intel's web site and sure enough, that's what the spec sheet on that Motherboard confirms. When will it end! ! ! I have finally come to one conclusion: I have a better chance of finding a greater theory of "Relativity" than Einstein, than I do of making this upgrade. You know what I don't understand? Yes, they're are so many variables when it comes to computers in general, but why don't the manufacturers of the software offer some guidelines with regard to the compatibility of their product, with regard to hardware, other than the minimum requirements, and specs? ? ? Here's an example of what I mean: The manufacturer could address the issue as follows: Keeping in mind that something new, faster, and better, will be out very soon, here's some suggestions for the basics of a system that would work well with our software. Then start with recommendations ascending in order of budget, and performance. EXAMPLE: If you have a very limited budget, go with any the following:
Motherboard: Asus xxxxxxxxxx, Gigabyte xxxxxxxxxx, Intel xxxxxxxxxx. CPU: AMD xxxxxxxxx, Intel xxxxxxxxx. Memory: Corsair xxxxxxxxx, Samsung xxxxxxxxx. Etc. Well, I could go on, and on, but I think you know what I'm suggesting. At the very least, I think the manufacturers could very easily give an overall suggestion regarding their software, and hardware, compatibility. For example: When putting together a system for using our software, sure, "The faster the better"; and "The more the better." However, here's what is of the most importance: be sure your drives are at least 7200rpm, and have at least two. One for the OS, and software, and the other
a designated drive for capturing, and editing. The size of the cache (2MB vs, 8MB) on the drive doesn't matter. (Or, it does matter) Then go on to address other issues
regarding other hardware components. One thing I think all software manufacturers can, and should, be doing, is monitoring their Forums with regard to hardware issues, and post their own suggestions, periodically, with regard to what is already out there, and what is due to arrive. But most importantly, give their customers some definitive guidelines on what they can feel comfortable with using, and/or upgrading to; as well as what to avoid. Can you imagine if someone wanted to be a Doctor, and was given books, and manuals, and then told that there are a lot of Doctors already out there, who will be more than happy to help you get started, learn about Medicine, and advise you on what Instruments to buy with regard to the type of medicine you would like to practice. Maybe I expect too much, but it seems to me that the software manufacturers fall far short of the mark in the Software vs, Hardware arena. OK, my rant is over. At least in this situation, there are a lot of very nice people who don't mind helping, by Caring, and Sharing. Many, many thanks to you all. You're the GREATEST! ! !

Most Sincerely,
I_Need_Help (Boy, do I ever)
Tony

I think P4P is the chipset (or mainboard type, more likely). My motherboard is a P4PE, made by Asus.

Thank you very much, 'sorry for the "Rant."

Tony

Go with the Abit IC7-G motherboard not the ASUS. It is better

:-) another nights sleep lost hey?

PAW

I've had Abit and Asus both. The Abit broke once and was replaced under warranty. Overall, I've liked the Asus better, but you can't go wrong with either one.

Thanks again! ! !

Am I to assume that Asus, and Abit, both make a Mobo that supports Intel’s P4's Hyper Threading technology, with an 800MHz FSB, along with dual RAM capability, with 4 slots enabling a 512MB 466MHz DDRAM stick in slots 1 & 3? What about Gigabyte?

I was under the impression that these companies were competitive with regard to keeping up with the last technology. It amazes me that Intel doesn't make a comparable board, when they, themselves, R&D the chips.

I don't care what brand name my Mobo is, as long as it's among the top 5 rated brands, and meets my needs! ! !

Many, many, thanks again!
Tony

I haven't researched the latest boards, but I'm sure Intel makes a compatible board as well. Gigabyte also makes a good mobo. I picked my Asus over Gigabyte because the Gigabyte had a fan on the chipset whereas the Asus only had a heatsink. I thought this would be 1 less part to go bad and would be a little quieter from the lack of the additional fan.

I would probably go between Gigabyte, Asus, and Abit because of quality and support. I've heard Intel's support isn't the best and that they limit your overclocking ability (which I don't overclock anyway).

Check out Toms Hardware (www.tomshardware.com) or AnandTech (www.anandtech.com) for reviews.

Hope this helps.

Steve

Of course Intel has their version of the 800 Mhz boards

http://www.intel.com/products/browse/motherbd.htm

They tend to hold back and aren't the first with the latest and best technology as far as motherboards. ASUS, Gigabytes, Abit, even IWill seem a bit ahead of the curve. It isn't so much the brand, rather what you want out of the board. If you're more into rock solid and no bells and whistles, then Intel is fine. In fact some of their boards incorporate a graphic chip, so that can do away with buying a graphic card.

For me, I rather go with one of the other brands. I like AUS because at least for the board I got they don't use Award BIOS, which I personally don't care for. Also the others brands (because of refinements in the BIOS are more of a "overclockers'" board.

A short time ago 'overclocking' meant you sometimes had to fiddle with the CPU chip, and unlock it to get faster multipliers or you would increase the votage. Both not for everbody. Today more and more motherboards come with easy to change BIOS that makes overclocking as simple as changing a few parameters. Heck, the board I picked even has voice notification that warns on the common BIOS problems, it even tells you when its mouting the OS and all is well. No more cryptic beep codes.

Steve:

You're very generous with your time, and expertise. Please know that it is received with the utmost gratitude, and appreciation. This applies to all those who have helped me through this pains-taking process.

Regards to all,
Tony

Hey there BillyBoy, I can always count on you for your two cents worth, but it always cames out to be worth a whole lot more...$$$$$$$. The kind of stuff that money can't buy.

Thanks very much. You do "Care," and you always "Share!"

Cheers,
Tony

I Need Help,

That sounds like a rocking set-up...where are you purchasing it?

Emmo