?? The compatbility issue is HUGE. One uses Rambus memory and one uses DDR memory. Rambus is faster, arguably more stable, marginally more expensive & rumored to be on the way out in Intel's roadmap. Word is the 850 is the last Rmabus chipset from Intel.Quote from canyonman00:
For standard uses there's no real difference. Both have certain compatibility issues with other stuff, but that's small.![]()
DDR memory is somewhat slower, stable when not pushed to the edge, maybe a little cheaper and rumored to be the technology Intel is going with in the future.
The next chipset everyone is waiting for is Intel's dual channel DDR 400mhz w/800 mhz FSB I believe. That should out do even the 850, but who knows when it's going to be available and at what cost. If I were to buy a system today I'd probably go w/ the 845PE, but if I want the best performance and don't care that I may be placing my bets on technology slated for pahse out, I'd go with the 850. HTH
