Prescott or Northwood How do you tell?

[sataraid0]

Have a P4 3.0G and nothing on box says if it is a Prescott or a Northwood.

Is there anyway to tell???

Thanks........................Sterling

[RJ]

You got a CPU and don't know what it is ? Funny

Anyway, it sounds like a Prescott to me. But what does the CPU look like ? Does it have pins, or no pins. If it doesn't have pins, then it's the Prescott for sure.
Otherwise, try CPU-Z, it should tell you what you have. . . assuming that you already installed it. ..

RJ

[kram 2.0]

Look at the amount of Level 2 cache of the CPU. Also, look if it uses .09micron or .13 micron technology. I'm presuming it's Prescott Core as of now, but could be Northwood.

Hope that helps,
kram

[Redfallon]

Originally Posted by RJ Does it have pins, or no pins. If it doesn't have pins, then it's the Prescott for sure.

Are you referring to the pins that plug into the socket? The prescott still has pins?!?! at least on socket 478 it does. But if it's a 775 it couldn't be a northwood.

[RJ]

Are you referring to the pins that plug into the socket? The prescott still has pins?!?!

The socket 775 Prescott does not have any pins. . because the socket itself has them now.

Look here: http://www.zjl.com.cn/newIT/images/2004110110655.jpg
And the socket: http://www.thg.ru/mainboard/20040302/images/775-1.jpg

RJ

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by RJ The socket 775 Prescott does not have any pins. . because the socket itself has them now.

I think he's referring to the Prescott Cores with Socket 478 DOES have pins on the Processor itself, but the newer LGA775 pin Prescott Core CPU sockets don't have pins on the Processor itself, but rather on the socket on the motherboard.

kram

[sataraid0]

Well, it has 478 pins and is already installed.

I have the box and it is 512KB L2-Cache, PGA-478 Pkg

No where does it say which it is, I do know that nortwood is .13 microns and prescott is .09 microns. Believe that is the thickness of the cpu.

Should be easy to tell if prescott or northwood ????

Oh well, If someone knows the answer please , thanks.

[Redfallon]

that's a northwood core. . .512KB L2 cache. . .prescott has 1MB

RJ thanx for the links, I haven't looked at 775's yet

Kram, yes I was referring to the 478's

[RedKangaroo]

Oh god... let me straighten you out. The .13 microns or .09 microns is the transistor size, not the "thickness." Meaning that a processor with smaller transistors you can process things faster and you can fit more of them on a chip. And if it has 512KB L2 cache, then it's a Northwood because all prescotts have 1MB L2. And prescotts are .09 microns while northwoods are .13 microns. And gosh dang it man! Just run CPU-Z to find out.

[sataraid0]

Well, I guess these answers are appreciated, however, I don't think it is funny that I did not know "RJ" and Gosh Dang it Man, Redkangaroo, I never heard of CPU-Z before.

I do believe that any question is not "DUMB" as is insinuated here.

I do really appreciate the information, as I really did not know the answers.

Just finished building my first computer and went through a lot of grief and also fun getting it running correctly.

Redkangaroo, thanks for the CPU-Z program, it gave me a lot of info I did not know before.

Have been a member of PCMECH for less than a month and have enjoyed reading the posts here and gleaning some information. The more I learn about computer the more I find out there is a lot more out there to learn.

Thanks again...................hope that in the future you all will be less agravated to answer questions

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by sataraid0 Well, I guess these answers are appreciated, however, I don't think it is funny that I did not know "RJ" and Gosh Dang it Man, Redkangaroo, I never heard of CPU-Z before. I do believe that any question is not "DUMB" as is insinuated here. I do really appreciate the information, as I really did not know the answers. Just finished building my first computer and went through a lot of grief and also fun getting it running correctly. Redkangaroo, thanks for the CPU-Z program, it gave me a lot of info I did not know before. Have been a member of PCMECH for less than a month and have enjoyed reading the posts here and gleaning some information. The more I learn about computer the more I find out there is a lot more out there to learn. Thanks again...................hope that in the future you all will be less agravated to answer questions

This person has a valid complaint. Sometimes we forget what it's like to be new and searching for answers. We have a reputation here for treating newcomers and the experienced "old timers" with equal respect. Think you guys owe sataraid0 an apology, especially YOU, RedKangaroo.

Moderator

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by sataraid0 Well, I guess these answers are appreciated, however, I don't think it is funny that I did not know "RJ" and Gosh Dang it Man, Redkangaroo, I never heard of CPU-Z before. I do believe that any question is not "DUMB" as is insinuated here. I do really appreciate the information, as I really did not know the answers. Just finished building my first computer and went through a lot of grief and also fun getting it running correctly. Redkangaroo, thanks for the CPU-Z program, it gave me a lot of info I did not know before. Have been a member of PCMECH for less than a month and have enjoyed reading the posts here and gleaning some information. The more I learn about computer the more I find out there is a lot more out there to learn. Thanks again...................hope that in the future you all will be less agravated to answer questions

Actually, I thought it was a valid question - I did a little bit of google researching before inquiring, and found that the P4 3.0G were only used in Pentium 4 laptops and had 800FSB...kinda confused me. CPU-Z is a program that puts up a good list of specs to which you can rely on - pretty neat free program. Sorry if we were a bit exasperated by your question...we always try to answer your question simply as it is.

kram

[Redfallon]

I also didn't find it to be a dumb question, as I, like Kram, had never seen a 3.0G. . .and I didn't know that 775's had the pins in the socket congrats on the build! If you'd have told us your system temp though we'd have known in an instant if it was a prescott or not. They're HOT! mine runs over 70C Enjoy your rig!

[sataraid0]

Thanks, Redfallon. Guess you never did hear of a P4 3g, I meant P4 3Megahertz.
Sorry for the confusion.

See that you have a sataraid0 configuration also. Interesting.

I don't know how you put all the infomation about my build in my posts like your do. Maybe you cut and past it. Would be interested to know.

Here my rig is a AOpen motherboard with 1gig of ddr ram, P4 3.0 northwood, 2 74gig 10Krpm sata drives in sataraid0 config and one 36gig sata drive. CPU temp. runs 42 to 45c under full load, with both processers running at 100%. Using a 5500 rpm fan running at 4000rpm to cool processor with. Graphics 9600se

Built it all from instructions that came with MB and some help from Maximum Magazine. Didn't know about this site. Sure wish I did would have saved me lots of woe.

But, by trial and error finally got the whole thing working. Not all ok, but is passable for now.

Thanks again for the info, and if you would let me know how to put my rig information into every post, would appreciate it. Of course will abbreviate it a lot more. ha.

........................................Yours.................Sterling age 63

[kram 2.0]

Nice - so that's what 3.0G was . 3.0Ghz. You noticed that Intel uses a naming scheme where they put letters after the clockspeed signifying the FSB speed and Processor Core - like "C" is 800FSB Northwood, "A" is 533FSB Prescott. Good thing we got that figured out. For putting the rig in your specs, just go to "Quick Links
" then "EDIT Signature" and type in your specs in the signature kinda like you would when you post a message.

kram

[sataraid0]

Thanks Cram8806, that will save me a lot of typing in the future.

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by sataraid0 Thanks Cram8806, that will save me a lot of typing in the future.

Sure thing - anytime.

kram

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by sataraid0 Sterling age 63

You're 63? Man, I salute you if you are! And I congratulate you in your desire to keep learning new things. I hope I make the effort to learn new things when I'm 63 (only 17 years to go ).

And congrats on completing the new build!

Cricket

[Redfallon]

Wow, so Kram, there IS a 3.0G? A notebook processor? That's interesting. Enjoy the build sataraid.

Originally Posted by sataraid0 Not all ok, but is passable for now.

What other "problems" is it having? We'd all be glad to help ya get her running at the top of her game!

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by Redfallon Wow, so Kram, there IS a 3.0G? A notebook processor? That's interesting. Enjoy the build sataraid.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...115-133&depa=0

Now, I know Newegg won't use "G" for Ghz...something I've almost never heard of up to this point - interest to me .

kram

[Web Gecko]

Note to sataraid0 : How did you go setting up your web mail pop access
for Eudora ?

Howdy all

Very usefull discussion yet again demonstrating the power of the pc mech community. I have often wondered what the differences between Northwood and Prescott are. Now I can pick a Prescott easily. Have to check out the
CPU Z program ( sounds good ).

There are heaps of good pc hw\sw resources on the net but so far I haven't found a pc site\forums of the quality here.

I have also been using an excellent PC hardware etc resource since 2000 from QUE books by a certain Scott Mueller, Upgrading and Repairing Pcs
( also does one for networks and laptops ) which contains a level of detail
on "everything pcs" ( get a recent version which will cover most of the latest versions of P4\AMD etc etc ) I haven't seen in any similar text for quite a while. Most Intel CPUs are listed with most hw specs including family core
numbers\steppings etc with which it is readily easy to ID CPUs using the various parameters.

http:\\www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com

haven't used the web site much myself but could have links to good
resources. may have access to some good PC related videos
( texts are relatively expensive in australia [around 100 bucks]
but may be cheaper in the US).p.s
an excellent technical resource which could be very usefull to pcmech
users.

Of course as the mech is free it's unbeatable from that view.

cheers

Web Gecko

p.s. NO question should be considered dumb as no matter how experienced
we are, no one knows it all in this industry. It is easy for anyone to
overlook the simplest things. I have been guilty myself of
asking the occasional NO-BRAINER ( NOT suggesting that ANY
of the Qs asked here were in that category ) and even if I know
more stuff in other areas I am always a NEWBIE in many more.

[thorlo6]

Sataraid0, I know it's a little late, but, Welcome to the PCMech forum. As a fella newbie myself, who just finished his own new build in late Aug., I know how the guys on the forum treat most newbie's, very well. That's why I was so shocked at how you were treated. I have been here since Aug. '03, but couldn't afford to build a new PC until just the last few months. But, my motto has always been: "There are no stupid questions, only stupid people who won't ask questions." I know, I've been one of those stupid people! Also, like you, I'm up there in age also, but you do have ten years on me.thorlo6 Daniel

[Web Gecko]

Howdy again

Just dled and tried CPU Z as recommended by redkangaroo.
What a great little program. Lists more low level stuff about my system than I have time to type here.

Suspected that the P4 CPU on this Toshiba lap top was a Northwood
( from my Scott Muehler book ) and CPU Z confirms this.
Shows the maker of your DDR modules ( speed etc etc ) your chipset details
etc etc etc etc.. Too much detail to list.

At 240K or so it's quick to dl and well worthwhile.

cheers

Web Gecko

[Web Gecko]

Yeah,

Welcome to PCMECH SATARAID0

Maybe someone could clarify the new P4 LGA775 from Intel.

Is that what people are calling the new ball grid array P4 Prescott CPU ?
or is it a lug grid array LGA ( not that it matters much ).
I got a PC mag months ago which had mobos with the ball grid array
CPUs and those new PCIx slots ( shorter and faster PCI )
[ which is maybe some kind of "serial"??? PCI system ].

The socket for the LGA775 ( posted by RJ ) looks kinda weird.
Reminds me of those old fish cans with the metal winder.
Good idea though to get rid of pins as they damage too easy.

CPUs to me are a real interesting field especially how they jam so
much transistor electronics\digital logic into such a micro tiny
space. I started out studying and working with the old 8 and 16 bit
CPUs from Intel and others ( in the 80s )
[ even the first 4 bit micros - 4004 and 4040 from Intel are interesting
critters if slow\limitted then you had the 8008 and 8080\8085\86
which I started on ]. Since Intels' 4004 in 1971 there must have been
thousands of different makes\models of microprocessor
manufactured and now we have the micro controllers of all kinds
from PIC, Atmel etc etc..

Todays' CPUs are so much more complex\sophisticated as well
as powerfull ( operating down around 1 volt as opposed to the old
TTL and CMOS [5V and 3.3V ] levels. Computer logic used much higher
volt levels in the past. Now here is a dinosaur ( a little like me
[I speak only for myself ], the thing we landed on the moon with
in 1969 - The Apollo guidance computer in the command module and
the lunar module operated on 28V DC \ 70 watt - 15 watt standby
was made out of approx 4000 discrete RTL ( quite possibly all
multi input NOR gates - from which ANY logic circuit can be made )
[which is resistor\transistor logic for those interested] and these were
old ceramic flat pack ICs, was a 16 bit machine ( 14 data + sign +
parity ) had around 20 instructions ( constructed from around 100
noun\verb pairs) and had only 36K of old rope core [magnetic]
ROM memory and 2K words of magnetic core RAM.
CPU speed was around 2MHZ ( and they made it to the moon
and back more than once with old clunkers like that ).

If you could see how much circuitry goes into the latest
P4s, AMD XPs, Itaniums etc etc The modern microprocessor
has to be the circuit from HELL ( designers nightmare ).
And yet the damned things actually work.
Stuff is getting so small now it really is a miracle they can
make em work. And now we are getting into multi core
CPU designs etc etc.. Our machines in coming years will
have multi CPUs and all sorts of powerfull new stuff.

Sorry about the ramble. The CPU field is really quite an
interesting field to follow.

At 43 I may be one of the youngsters around here
( although at times I feel like a dinosaur ).

"Dang me" is probably one of those terms still used somewhere in the
US. If anyone here can remember that old dude that sang those old songs
( King of the Road "Trailers for Sale or rent, rooms to let 50c, I'm a man of means by no means .... punch line", Engaland Swings like a Pendulum Doo ??)
then like me, you may be showing your age ( dang me dang me gonna take a rope and hang me, hang me from the highest tree, woman don't you weep for me [same old dude] ). Now what could possibly make us feel like that in this
contented, modern world !!!

cheers

Web Gecko

[Moki]

I'm a true newbie...so I'm grateful that someone else is asking questions like this so I don't have to take the heat! (But I have a feeling I'm going to hang myself out here anyway.) I'm just starting to build a system that will hopefully be a "multi-purpose" deal. My son wants to game online, I have hi-speed cable, will be networking two or more computers, & am just starting on my Graphic Comm. degree. Basically, I want to build way ahead of my current needs so that I will not run short of what I may need for future applications/hardware, (incl. 3D video animation, music & video editing capabilities and things I may not even know I need yet.) I'm not looking for cheap, but the best I can get in a "reasonable" price range. I do expect to buy a high-end graphics card, but first I need to pick my mobo.

I took the plunge and purchased my processor first, (one-day sale, Newegg, great price, couldn't pass it up),a P4 3.2GHz 478 512 L2, 800 MHz bus. While looking at mobos,I kept seeing "Prescott ready" and "Northwood." I almost ignored that & was making a decision based on other criteria, but something told me I better check that out here first. Glad I did. I'm gathering from this thread that I must have a Northwood, and it would not work on a "Prescott ready" board? (What's the advantage of one over the other?) Also, I have been told that Asus, AMD and Gigabyte are good considerations, yes? What other criteria should I consider for my purposes? Also, I just ordered a 430W case (knowing I'll probably purchase a new PS soon). Here's the potential gratuitous dumb question: The case has two USB ports in front. What if the mobo I order has 4 USBs in the front? Does it matter? (cringe) Any thots about firewire for my needs? And chipsets? I have been looking at i875p based on the comparisons at Intel's site. Thanks for all your help and please, be gentle.....

[Web Gecko]

Hey Moki

The PC field changes so fast these days we all have something new to learn.

Planning\designing a new build which will provide performance & capability beyond your current needs will be quite a challenge. You will basically have to research each item as you need to.

Your PS is over 400W so that's a good start. On whatever mobo you go with initially ( if your performance expectations and applications change too much before long you may be changeing your mobo\cpu again ) make sure you check the depth dimension ( from back to front of case ) of the mobo you intend buying as some of the new mobos give you little clearance between the back of the mobo and the 5 1/4 inch drive bays ( some new cases may have more clearance there ) i.e. You may only be able to use a max of 1 or 2 of these bays to flush mount optical drives if your mobo is too deep
( you don't want drives and mobo contacting ).... you need to check this aspect out with your case supplier.

I won't try to cover everything here as you will have to research items individually by asking more questions on the forums here ( try using the search functions here as well on different stuff like the best PSes to buy etc ). Google is also great for research ( how many people end up at pcmech as well - like me ). You need to shop around price wise so you have as much comparison as possible. Sounds like you want plenty of functionality and performance ( and quality ) so be prepared to pay.

My choice for a good base is a good quality case\power supply ( plenty of
wattage - check standby requirements of the mobo you choose [ for functions like wake on USB or LAN etc ] ) 400 to 500W a good start and a case that has room to work\grow inside ( full or mid tower ). Your mobo is really the most important aspect of your machine. You should choose that first while researching the type of CPU which will complement it and meet your initial requirements. You have purchased a good CPU though
( which from the specs seems to be a Northwood, not sure if that's a
hyper threading version but may well be - ( maybe someone else can help
on that ?)).

Your new P4 CPU "should" work on a Prescott ready board !!!
There are many mobo suppliers but Asus, Gigabyte and MSI
( MicroStar International ) are my preferences as regards
quality, reliability and performance ( check out the manufacturers
web sites [google] and here etc and you will find the info you need
oh and go talk to the dealers [but don't get sucked into
"you have to buy it NOW and there's a SPECIAL deal etc"].
Probably the net is best for tech advice but occasionally you find
a smaller dealer who is good like that.

Here is Asusteks US site and their mobo index page

http://www.asus.com/products/mb/mbindex.htm

You mentioned the i875P chip set which is good for
the CPU you have. I would probably go for either an
Asus or Gigabyte mobo ( for gigabyte you will have to
check their web info for mobos with the specs you need
[similar specs]).

AMD by the way ( unless there is a mobo oem out there by the name of
AMD ???) is actually Advanced Micro Devices, Intels main competitor.
AMD have been around since the late 60s, licenseing many of Intels early chip designs but have been making their own CPUs for many years now
( K5\6, Athlon, XP\MP, Duron, Sempron etc ).

Something like the P4C800E deluxe mobo here could be OK :

http://www.asus.com/products/mb/sock...d/overview.htm

This would set you back over 300 bucks in Oz but should be 2\3 of that or
less in the US. Very good quality, high performance mobo with good
options ( like wifi if you want it). Check with the dealers as there can be several versions of the same make\model of mobo which come with various
options ( like wifi, extra USB etc etc ).

This mobo takes socket 478 P4s and Celerons to 3.2 GHZ plus will take hyper threading CPUs and the new Prescott ( for socket 478 ),
( 800, 533 and 400MHZ front side bus speeds [fsb]), Supports up to
4GB of ddr400 pc3200 sdram memory ( plenty for advanced needs !!!!)
and memory is dual channel for extra performance ( make sure you get
2 matching ddr400 modules !!!! I would start with 512MB or 1GB
initially [up to you - others can recommend ddr makes]) -
supports ECC or non ECC memory ( for applications which require
high data integrity ECC memory is best [ error checking and correction]
but you can usually get by with non ECC memory ).

This mobo has a whole heap of stuff like firewire, plenty of USB ports,
support for standard ATA UDMA HDDs and the new SATA ( serial )
drives ( old parrallel ATA drives are OK - having the SATA option a
good idea but wait 6 to 12 months to see how the new SATA tech
performs in the industry before going SATA - this should not
put you off a good mobo with SATA option though
[ you can start with parrallel ATA drives]).
My preference for a good fast HDD is Western Digital with 8MB cache
( as much as you can get) 7200rpm from 80GB and up.
There are better drives out there but you will pay more.

Many cases have two or more USB ports at front of case
( and an audio outlet for headphones or to drive speakers -
disables the rear audio feed temporarily usually when used ).
You will be able to feed your USB connections from headers
on your mobo forward to front of case or back to a slot
mounted USB option ( talk to dealer about your options here ).
Many mobos have 4 or more USB ports at rear and a couple
headers on the mobo which support maybe another 4 USB
conns. You can connect 4 port hubs to one USB conn so
you needn't worry about USB access ( usually heaps
- just check with your dealer ). Nothing major to worry
about here.

The main advantage of firewire is it's high data transfer
rates ( 400Mbps 1394a or 800Mbps for 1394b ) which
would be great for transfer of digitised video
( which could be one of your apps ) i.e. cam corder
connection etc.. over slower stuff like USB 1.1 ( 12Mbps).
USB 2.0 compares better at 480Mbps.
You will have to ask dealer whether your mobo has
1394a or b. Some apps for firewire are
dv camcorders, digital cameras, HDTV [set top boxes]
, HDDs, scanners, music stuff etc..

The mobo above has a depth of 9.6" which may put it
into the category which can have some of the clearance
problems I mentioned above ( but this depends on the
case - talk to dealer ). Then there is stuff like DVD drives,
burners, what kind video display, AGP card etc etc etc..

There are a million graphics cards out there.
You want probably 8x AGP and 128MB or better.

If you want the new Prescott CPUs ( LGA775
ball or lug grid array ) you may need the new mobos
with stuff like the new faster DDR2 memory,
the new PCIx expansion slot system etc etc..
( more of the green again ).

Good luck with your research and the new build.

Hope something here helps.

cheers

Web Gecko

[thorlo6]

First I think I will answer web gecko's aside in reference to two different songs both of whom were written and sang by Roger Miller. As for your questions Moki, if the mobo has four USB's up front and the case has only two, then obviously you only hook up the two that the case can handle the other's are left alone. As for firewire, it depends on the individual, and his particular uses. Personally, at the present time I have no need for firewire, but should the need arise in the future, then I have two on my PC. As for yourself, it depends on what hardware you intend on using. Chipsets, that question will probably be better handled by someone who knows more about them than I. Personally I like the Intel chipsets, especially since my own mobo has the i865G chipset. But, at any rate I hope you can use the info I have given.thorlo6

[Moki]

Wow, Mr. Web Gecko! (And Thorlo6!) Thanks for all the good info. Which leads me to *more* questions/comments

First, I didn't think to check for clearance in the case. I have been getting anxious to get some parts in hand so I can at least feel like I'm getting somewhere. So, I already have my (HT) processor, and my case is on it's way. Guess now I should check the dimensions in the case when it gets here to make sure it allows for appropriate space as you suggested. Drat. I know the mobo is the first thing to get, but I have been researching 'til I'm blue in the face, and it seemed that if I just ordered a stinkin' CPU and case, it would force me to narrow my choices. Well, it did, but maybe that's not such a good thing.

Second, you said: "...My choice for a good base is a good quality case\power supply ( plenty of wattage - check standby requirements of the mobo you choose [ for functions like wake on USB or LAN etc ] ) 400 to 500W a good start and a case that has room to work\grow inside ( full or mid tower )...."

I don't really understand what you mean by standby requirements. Do you mean that I should make sure I have extra wattage on my powersupply to accomodate future add-ons? The case I have ordered is 400W and a mid-tower. And what is "wake?"

I'm still a little foggy on the pin thing? Does BOTH Prescott and Northwood have pins on the processor? My CPU has pins, all 478 of them. Is that what makes it possible for my P4 to work on either mobo? Arrghh. If I can just resolve this question, I can move on to the other mobo options.

Anyway, my case does have USB & audio ports up front and I'll probably pick up a USB hub if/when I need it. I will get firewire just in case, SATA is a for-sure, most seem to have it anyway and of course the matching DDR. I will check the mobos you suggested and see if one of them will do the trick. Will probably have M-O-R-E questions. LAN stuff, RAID stuff, etc. The video card is the next thing I have to research once I pick out the mobo. Sigh.

And lastly, I don't know anything about the new LGA775 (don't want to, my head is ready to explode at this point), PCI Express was causing me fits and 64-bit processing was also disturbing me. So I decided to just ignore it all for now. I think I'll be fine with 32-bit /478 /AGP8X for the next couple of years. By then my ulcers will have healed and I can do this all over again. I read somewhere this was supposed to be fun? lol

BTW, King of the Road was one of the first songs I learned to play. And Kansas City Star, (that's what I are), Chug-a-lug, whole bunches of Roger Miller songs. He was a very prolific writer, too bad he left us so early...

[Web Gecko]

Hey again Moki

So far you got no great problems to worry about ( no need to lose sleep
over any of this stuff - only when you offer your kids\wife a planet and they want the universe ). Rushing in without enough research usually causes the biggest problems ( buying the wrong stuff ) but you are doing OK so far.

400 to 500 watts for the PS is good. Standby power is part of the power management of our PC mobos. Modern mobos\BIOS software etc can monitor activity on a system and switch off certain items ( or put em in a low standby power mode to save power - a device drawing less current
will be cooler and in theory may give you longer life for that device ).
Some power management activity operates by default but there is a lot of stuff\settings which can be changed in the BIOS as to frequency and which devices to put into standby etc.. With standby there are different sleep modes for devices, hence the "wake on" type function which means if your system is not active and goes into low power standby then clicking on a USB
mouse\keyboard or maybe your modem or LAN card activating may "wake"
your system up ( bring it up fully into full power mode - ready to rock ).

Wake on functions can be configured by jumpers on a mobo and\or BIOS settings and other software. Power management is becoming quite complex so you will have to check this type of stuff out with your dealer etc for whatever mobo you are interested in. Mobo manuals generally say stuff like,
your ps must be able to supply at least 2 amps on the 5V standby line, so much on 3.3V etc to enable the wake on functions to successfully bring a fully optioned system up from sleep\standby modes. You shouldn't worry too much about it. Your dealer will have the info you need.

Also the "pins" issue isn't that big a deal. As far as I can tell the socket 478
P4 CPUs ( like yours ) have pins whether they are Northwood or Prescott
( which should both work in that Asus example mobo ). Basically your
socket 478 P4 CPU will only work in a mobo with socket 478.
The new Prescott without the pins only works in the new P4 mobos
with the new socket LGA775 . The CPU instead of using pins uses what they are calling "ball grid array" which are kind of like small lugs instead of pins
and the CPU "sits" into the LGA775 socket ( lugs mated with the LGA775s
ball grid array ( grid of round dips )) and locked into place by that thing
barely reminiscent of a ZIF lever ( more like a winder on a fish can ).

I think the new ball grid array P4 CPUs and matching LGA775 socket
is a good system as the old pin system could suffer damage quite easily
if people aren't carefull handleing the CPU and when installing the CPU
in the 478 socket. This is the new system which is not really something you need to worry about ( next system you build ?).
If people are carefull the pin system works well but still the new system has it's merits.

I won't even try to get into the graphics side of things ( not my specialty ).
I heard that the early thin LCD screens weren't that great for fast moving images ( gaming ?) but things have no doubt improved since then.
TFT\LCD probably the best screens but can be expensive.

Hope this clears up some of your questions. Posting on this thread will get you some info ( and IS FINE ) but the best place to ask each "research" question is to go to forums and the specific forum you want ( like this is the right one for hardware ) and actually create a new thread for each question.
That will then be "your" thread and you will find that more pcmech users
actually see\read and respond. This will get you answers faster.

Hope this helps.

cheers

Web Gecko

p.s. King of the Road was one of my old fave Roger Miller songs
"I smoke old stogies I have found
short but not too big around
I'm a man of means by no means"
punch line

I smoked a long time ago but have never tried stogies
( the ones you buy are bad enough, but then stogies
may have a lower nicotine content [healthier?
I doubt it ] ).

I take it you play guitar ?

chou 4 now

[thorlo6]

Checking for clearance is a real no-brainer, is the case for micro-ATX or ATX? Then the flip side of the coin is your mobo, is it micro-ATX or ATX? According to newegg, your case that you ordered is an ATX. Now comes the easy part, just order a mobo that is ATX! TADA!!LOL Not so hard is it? This is why modern PC's are called PnP. So, be easy on yourelf, your trying to make a mountain out of amolehill.thorlo6