I'm new on AMD - Help please!

[Adrian]

Hi guys.
I'm planning on getting rid of my P3 733eb( guess why), and going to buy an AMD T-bird.
As I havn't own an AMD CPU before I need som help to get myself a nice OC system.
CPU: T-bird 800-900mhz
mobo: Abit KT7A
mem: Mosel Vitelic 256Mb SDRAM 7ns
an heatsink: no idea...

ONE more question whar FSB speed does the cpu run on 100mhz or 133

I appreciate any advice

[Metaxas]

Well, the depends, you can buy a true 133FSB cpu, but you'll pay a premium price. I would say all modern T-bird over the 1Ghz mark will do a 133FSB, providing you turn the multiplier down. 800-900 t-birds i'm not so sure about, as some have aluminum interconnects instead of copper, and that would severly limit you ability to overclock past the 1Ghz mark. CPU prices arn't too bad, you can get a 1+Ghz CPU for a decent price, just check pricewatch.com, and be sure to use resellerratings.com to check out the company before you buy.

However, if i'm in error on anythis, please someone, tell me. :) Hope that helps dude.

[Bovon]

I don't know this from personal experence, but I read an awfull lot at forums and reviews. From what I read, any of the Athlon cpu's, Duron or Tbirds will run at 133 mhz fsb, being very carefull to reset the mulitpliers. A good HSF is a necessity, and there are several very good ones. Sence you are an Intel guy, be aware you will need to close the factory jumpers on the Durons and Tbirds...they come locked to 100 mhz fsb, there are several online tutorials showing exactly how to do this. The very new C-series, true 133 fsb processors just now hitting the market come unlocked, so I understand. Should you order one of these, be sure to confirm this. They start at 1.2 ghz...and I have read where they O/C like a bat outta h**l...

All of the current AMD processors on the market now are fab'd in Austin Texas, and have the auluminum cores. The Dresden Germany plant is gearing up for the new processors, and that is where the copper core cpu's came from.

Look here for closing the jumpers on a Duron / Tbird:

http://www1.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1345&p=3

And here:

http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/00q3/000711/index.html#overclocking_by_altering_the_processor_ the_tiny_copper_bridges_of_tbird_and_duron

Here:

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/articles/amd_oc_10-00/3.shtml


And here is a factory unlocked chip

http://www.hardocp.com/new_img_01/mar/030801a.html

[Adrian]

thanx guys. I'll look into it....

[SickBoy]

most any AMD socket A CPU will do 133+ MHz FSB (on a KT133A-based board), just turn the multiplier down. My Duron 700 will do 140 MHz, I am sure it will go farther but my memory is holding me back.

Also - best cooler out there is the Swiftech MC462, but it's definitely a load of cash. Second best in my mind is the PEP66 (modded to vertical configuration). Maybe the FOP38 if you're strapped for cash.

SickBoy