HTT Questions

[dictatorfagan]

I was planning on getting a Shuttle SFF system, but the one I want only has an nForce 3 chipset, supporting 800MHz HyperTransport. I was wondering what this means, and how the performance will differ from a 1GHz HyperTransport nForce 4 chipset? Will the 800MHz one be enough for a Venice 3200?

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

if it's an nf3 and only has an 800mhz HT link, chances are it's s754.

though, know that the link has NO effect on single socket systems

 

[dictatorfagan]

Actually it is socket 939. http://global.shuttle.com/Product/Barebone/SN95G5 V3.asp

So what do you think? Could someone point me to an FAQ that explains HyperTransport?

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

interesting.

hyperstransport is the bus that's used to connect the cpu to the chipset.
anything over 200mhz is overkill in most situations

 

[FreiDOg]

NF3 250 GB was 800mhz HTT
NF3 250 Ultra was 1000mhz HTT.

there are a couple of 250GB 939 boards, gigabyte has one, apparently shuttle has one, I think soyo has one.
All the S939 CPUs support a 1000mhz HTT so most of the NF3 boards use the 250Ultra.
but like eclipse said, no difference in performance. Even the 600mhz HTT on the NF3 150 didn't impact performance.

 

[dictatorfagan]

Thank you for your replies. I'm curious, if there isn't a difference in performance, then what is limiting the computer from taking full advantage of the 1GHz HTT on the newest boards?

 

[(cf)Eclipse]

there is nothing that can utilize all the bandwidth. even a pci-e 16x slot can barely saturate the link at 200mhz, theoretically, forget in practical purposes.
the real reason for it being so fast is the multi cpu opteron rigs.. they communicate with the ht link, and they can easily eat up all the bandwidth (8gb/s for a 1000mhz link)