First time AMD user =O. Need some answers.

[G T i]

I am a first time AMD user. Here is what I am building.

Tbird 850
Chrome Orb
Abit KT7A
Enermax EG365P-VE
Avance Technologies CI-7004 Case (Two 80mm Adda Ultra Speed fans)
IBM 20GB 7200 Hard Drive
Andodized CPU Shim (not sure if this is really a good idea after reading all these fourms)
128 Kingston RAM PC133 (will be replaced soon)
56x CD ROM, Floppy
Asus V7100 GeForce 2 MX (maybe a blueorb/ramsinks)
Sound Blaster Live! with add on board (the first ones that came out)
Kingston NIC
Artic Silver 2

Well here my question or questions.
I have learned how to unlock AMD CPU from lots of online research.

What I want to know what is the best setting for FSB,Multiplier and CPU voltage?
What is the top speed I can get with this setup that I have listed?

Is this system going to have heat issues? If so, what else can I do to get better cooling? I don't think this case have room for a top exhaust fan (akdfkdaj?). I am good working with tools, so any ideas will help.

And is there anything I should know about these parts comb? Like HSF unit falling off Mobo, etc? I have read alot of scary stories like cracking the CPU core, etc. And Thanks in advance. =)

[William]

First, ditch the orb. Its an awful hsf. Get something like the SK-6 and use some artic silver on it. As far as multis and the like, check the cpu database on the front page to see what people are getting.

[G T i]

William (Jul 23, 2001 03:05 a.m.):
First, ditch the orb. Its an awful hsf. Get something like the SK-6 and use some artic silver on it. As far as multis and the like, check the cpu database on the front page to see what people are getting.

I just checked that out. But now for a really stupid question. What is better to have? A higher FSB or a higher Mult?

[William]

multi really. A higher FSB can cause stability probs if it isn't at 100 or 133mhz because you start gettin the pci buss out of spec. You can usually go about 20mhz over the bus speed and still run fine though. Multi is better though.

[TranceBear]

For my chip multi was my only option. I have crap ram and it has cost me fortune to get my temps down to even get 135mhz. I can get 138mhz with a multi of 11, but that just won't do for me. I have found out that certain chips/memory will allow you a huge FSB jump, but if you can go mutli, do it and save your PCI cards!

[ManOfKnight]

i don't know...i got some crucial ram (PC133) for cheap and i am able to keep my KT7A-R stable with 140 FSB ( with a 200FSB 900Mhz mind you ). At 145 it won't even turn my monitor on, but is VERY stable at 140, well actually 144 after adding incriments of one in my BIOS. But with decent ram, he should be able to increase both.

And i agree, drop the Chrome Orb, that is what i FIRST had ( it is a BITCH to put on, you have to modify it ). It didn't cool ANYTHING...i got a FOP38, and it dropped my temps by like 10C

[e_storm]

I disagree, I think fsb is the better way to OC...or let me rephrase, a combo of fsb and multi. William is correct that your system will run more unstable by upping the fsb too much, but when you up the fsb, your entire system runs faster cause your bus that everything is running on is running faster.

[G T i]

Thanks for all the help guys. I put everything together.
100 x 10. Hit the 1Ghz mark.
CPU = 62C
SYSTEM = 35C
This is just during the post, so it's no where need full load.
Also I manged to chip the sucker in the corner just abit, thank god it didn't break it. I will change it to SK6 Delta once it comes in and try higher speeds.
I have a big problem. I have connect the CD,HDD and Floppy.
I can't get Windows (anything. 2kpro, ME, 98SE) installed.
It simply will not auto load. All of these CD and bootdisk works on my other
computers and I have tested each out. I followed the PIN 1 connetion per Mobo instructions. Have anyone had this problem with the KT7A? I am really at a lost, because I tested the hardware on my other computers too and they all work fine.

[Paiynn]

I dont recommend installing an OS while the machine is overclocked, but thats just me :)

[Goldwing]

Paiynn (Jul 25, 2001 03:57 a.m.):
I dont recommend installing an OS while the machine is overclocked, but thats just me :)

No, no, no it is not just you...I haven't heard of anyone who recommends installing you OS while overclocked and many who agree with you Paiynn. :) :) :)