Which processor? (Im a newbie.)

[ZathrothATL]

Im not one sided with amd or intel. Im getting ready to start Ordering parts for my computer. I have never overclockers but i would like to learn. nothing over the top though. I only play games and online games on my rigs. I Was wondering which processor should i get. I would like something that can o/c with ease to 2ghz without watercooling etc. Im not ready for that i think yet. I can get this chip but he said this isnt a chip for a newbie. Whats your view on which chip/mobo set i should get? AMD or intel it doesnt matter.

This is the chip i can get
P4 1.6A retail box $140 shipped
complete retail box ~ unused HSF ~ unopened manual and sticker

Costa Rica 5/20/02 SL668

overclocks upto:
2480mhz 155fsb on 1.50v
2704mhz 169fsb on 1.71v .....(on an Abit BE7 ~ YMMV)

[ZathrothATL]

bump ..going to bed

[Gizmo200118]

I hear that the XP 1800+ Tbred will clock realy well that is the chip that i am going to oreder next week. It is only $69 oem and $79 retail on newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1

[CrystalMethod]

If you're new to overclocking, I'd go with an Intel chip. There's a bit more tolerance for error with them. The P4 1.6Ghz is a great overclocker.

[BaldHeadedDork]

I'm going to agree with CrystalMethod. Here's the Intel package I'd recommend:

MOTHERBOARD: Abit BE7 RAID
PROCESSOR: Intel P4 1.8A
HEATSINK/FAN: Cooler Master IHC-H71
MEMORY: Corsair XMS-3200 CAS2 512MB

This setup will cost $503 at Newegg and would be a terrific foundation to build an overclocking rig around.

You could get into an AMD system for a little less money. I've had too many problems with Via chipsets to recommend an AMD overclocking board for a long time. But as reports on the nVidia nForce2 motherboards come in, I might be changing my mind on that. If you decide to go with AMD, I can only recommend using an nForce2 board. I just don't know how well they overclock.


BHD

[Hookem]

Best overclockers has to go to the Intel's...Bang for the buck easily goes to the AMD camp...I'm sitting on the middle of the fence. I see no harm in having a Corvette and a Saleen Mustang. ones a Chevy and the other one is a Ford. My next box is going to be a hyper thread P4. As soon as the smoke clears on which motherboard, processor, memory (I think samsung is the only one making the new RDRAM) it's on...Before you buy your processor you need to find out what stepping is the best for overclocking. If you do some research or ask here at overclockers what the best overclocking processors are in the AMD and Intel processor section you will come up with the best advice on the net...period... these guys know their stuff and are more than happy to help someone who is taking their first crack at overclocking...Yeah Yeah Yeah...I know...Soon, very soon...Let me get my case cleaner certificate and I too will give it a whirl !!!

[svenrune]

I say intel

[Top Hat Theater]

I'd say go with a Northwood or a Tbred 1800. I use an nForce2 board and I'm currently running my 1600 at 199x10 and 1.85vcore. Totally stable.

~THT

[punisher2k3]

wait till the clawhammer comes out and the nforce2 and the new nvidia cards.

punisher2k3

[baltoos]

I'd recommend Intel for O/C noobs: I have a P4 1.6A Northwood on an Abit TH7II-R running at 140fsb or 2.24GHz w/ STOCK HSF & Default V-core. Runs just fine at this speed - NO probs whatsoever. Intel makes some AWESOME overclockers! IMO -Dave

[Malpine Walis]

Whatever you decide on, don't buy the bleeding edge of procs. AMD and Intel boh have brand spanking new stuff out and really great OC procs are most likely to be found after like 3-4 months into a production run.

Also, remember that the overclock you get is dependant on all the parts that you buy, not just the proc. Start with the mobo (find one that is known to OCwell), I recommend ASUS or EPOX. Also get good memory. Mushkin, Crucial or Micron will give you the best chance of a decent OC.

[punisher2k3]

amd the way to go. but, wait till the clawhammer comes out. thats what im going to do before i build my next system. good luck on building your firsy system.

punisher2k3

[macklin01]

The nice thing about Intel for a first OC is that you can get pretty far on default voltage with the stock cooler. Heat is easier to deal with. And no exposed cores to crack.

I went with Intel for my first system and found it to be a nice combination of speed, stability, thermal issues, and noise.

Whatever you decide on, take your time and have fun! -- Paul

[rustymaitland]

Originally posted by Malpine Walis
Whatever you decide on, don't buy the bleeding edge of procs. AMD and Intel boh have brand spanking new stuff out and really great OC procs are most likely to be found after like 3-4 months into a production run.

Also, remember that the overclock you get is dependant on all the parts that you buy, not just the proc. Start with the mobo (find one that is known to OCwell), I recommend ASUS or EPOX. Also get good memory. Mushkin, Crucial or Micron will give you the best chance of a decent OC.

micron is good for oc'ing?

[macklin01]

Actually, micron is the manufacturer for crucial. ;)

I had 2 sticks of 256 MB PC133, CL3 SDRAM that ran great at 156 MHz FSB, for example ...

-- Paul

[dxiw]

intel for n00bs and even experienced ppl. they have good temps overclock great and have los of bandwidth. as far as the chip there is no n00b chip they are all the same. the 1.6a is a great chip and overclocks wondefulyl also for hceap computer parts look at www.newegg.com i think the 1.6a runs 120$ there

[Hawk]

Originally posted by CrystalMethod
If you're new to overclocking, I'd go with an Intel chip. There's a bit more tolerance for error with them. The P4 1.6Ghz is a great overclocker.
Agreed

[rustymaitland]

Originally posted by macklin01
Actually, micron is the manufacturer for crucial. ;)

I had 2 sticks of 256 MB PC133, CL3 SDRAM that ran great at 156 MHz FSB, for example ...

-- Paul

interesting, cause i bought 2 sticks off this guy almost 2 years ago for $75 cdn and i was wary doing so. have had no issues since.

[ZathrothATL]

Well my budget is a bit of a handicap. I would liek to spend about 1200 to build a full system with monitor. By the time i get 1200 it will be about mid january to first of febuary. Im still reading alot and trying to learn as much as possible before hand. BTW i found a mobo that has two different things about it on newegg. One has RAID and one doesnt in the specs. What is RAID?

[macklin01]

RAID (redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks) is an array of multiple IDE or SCSI hdd's which act together as though they were a single hdd. There are two main goals in such a setup: (1) increase reliability of data by storing multiple copies of all data (RAID1) or (2) increase speed of data by splitting it between multiple disks to increase read / write speed (RAID0), or a combination of the two. (RAID 10 or 0+1).

Unless you plan on buying 2 or 4 identical hdd's, I wouldn't worry about RAID too much. At any rate, you'll probably get better RAID performance if you buy a separate card, rather than using onboard RAID, but don't quote me on that. ;)

I hope this helps -- Paul

*EDIT* Rustymaitland: yes, I've always been pretty happy with Crucial / Micron memory. I'm glad it turned out well for you and you got a good deal. The identifying characteristic on a Micron chip is an "MT" on it, which you should also see on Crucial RAM. Crucial is the consumer-oriented arm of Micron. I'll upload a picture of some later if you want. ;) -- Paul

[ZathrothATL]

Well right now i have a 13 gig HD and i use about 5 gigs of it. I only have the games i play and other misc stuff. I dont use too much. So what RAID is so that the multiple HDD work together as one?

[macklin01]

That's it in a nutshell. It allows higher transfer rates and/or higher data integrity. It's pretty hardcore, though, and expensive. You can get pretty good performance out of a WD SE drive, which gets consistent transfer rates approaching that of low-end SCSI for under $100. Some newer maxtor's have proven nice, too. -- Paul

[TheFrag]

Unless you get an Nforce2, go with pentium if you are an OC n00b. Why? It will ba a lot stabler. Why will the AD boar dif not Nforce be less stable? 3 letters. V.......I........A

[macklin01]

Yes, certainly one of AMD's worst enemies is VIA, not Intel ...

No wonder they'd rather integrate their memory controllers on-chip ... maybe they'll move their AGP and USB there as well and be done with it! ;) -- Paul