Need some sorta newbie help

[MoSiAc]

I can build a computer no problem there. I'm new to overclocking but wanna try it out.
I want to get a decent system and actually use the stuff I buy for it unlike my friends who just buy big fans and don't overclock.
I'm a little stuck on which CPU to buy its gonna be AMD but what should I get to overclock well?
The motherboard I think is best for this is gonna be the DFI Lanparty Nforce board. The reviews say its the best for overclocking but I don't know for sure. So which chip should I get for it, what ram should I get, what kind of cooling should I get and any case recomendations are more than welcome. Oh I'm also thinking of getting just a regular Radeon 9800 and overclocking it to a Pro but I really need to know what certain parts I should buy so I can overclock safely.
The machine is going to be solely used for Lan parties and gaming so all advice would be greatly appriciated.

[unreal]

welcome to the forums, first off,, second that chip depends on how much is your budget.

[c627627]

Abit or Soltek nForce2 mobo. Both are top notch overclockers and can post lower rated T-Bred B multipliers unlike Asus and all other nForce2 boards.

Weeks 39, 40, 41 and 42 Bartons may or may not be factory locked, weeks 43 and later are 99% locked so if you can't avoid a locked Barton, (list is here: http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=244237), then get any Thoroughbred B for $52 to $62 (newegg.com guarantees 2100+ to be T-Bred B's)

Best heatsink: Thermalright (try svc.com)
Best fan Thermaltake Smart Fan 2 (you can adjust the speeds so noise can vary (I think it's cheaper at newegg)

Don't do anything stupid like get a no name brand power supply.
$36 at least here: http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=manufactory&catalog=58&manufactory=1919&description=&srchFor=FSP350-60PN%20atx12v

Power Supply Unit can take out all your other components.
Many PSU manufacturers list specs that do not reflect true capabilities of their products so all info on the PSU label doesn't mean much except for the brand, just look for the brand:

All Antecs (Channel Well) are good (Antec True Power is better), Fortron (Sparkle), Sirtec (Enlight, Vantec, Thermaltake), or more expensive Herolchi (Heroichi), PC Power and Cooling, or not as good but not dangerous HEC, TTGI, Zalman (Aopen).

I know only one type of RAM that can do 220 FSB and up guaranteed:
twinmos/ch-5 winbond pc3200

I keep waiting for people to post an alternative since the other types of RAM may or may not do that high (hit and miss situation).

Except for Samsung PC2700, most othe PC2700's give you 180-190 FSB but Samsung passes the 200 FSB mark even though it's a PC2700
http://www.c627627.com/RAM/

And yeah, under $100? GeForce4 Ti 4200, more like $200? Radeon 9800.

Nothing in between is worth it imho. Spend less than a $100 on a great card like GF4 that can take on some of the $150 cards, or go "all the way" (well) for a Radeon 9800.

[MoSiAc]

I've been reading the forums a bit more and apparently the Barton xp 2500 is a good chip. I'm a little unsure about this FSB stuff and all that. I don't wanna push it too much but I've read that I can get it to equal a 3200 chip which would be plenty for me. Do I need to get special ram or will like crucial or Kingston do it. Its not so much an issue of money Id just rather save a bit on the cpu if I can since a 2500 sits at around the 80 dollar range and a 3200 sits at a 300 range. I don't really know much about name brand power supplies so a little more into that would be good. Also, what about that DFI lanparty nforce board reviews say its really good for overclocking but I dunno for sure

[Steven4563]

Abit NF7-S
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ ( unlocked one )
ATi Radeon 9600pro or upwards
Twinmos 512MB DDR PC3200 All depends how much ram u want
Antec TruePower 430W or upwards

the Abit NF7-S is properly about the same in proformance as the DFI and is properly a better overclocker

[MoSiAc]

If I just wanna go up to the 3200 speeds it doesn't matter if the cpu is locked or unlocked right

[MoSiAc]

And where is a good place to get this specific ram you are telling me about I see it on pricewatch but I don't know if that is what is the twinmos you want. Its kinda funny before I was just gonna get this case from cooler guys with a 420w ps the dfi board 2800 chip some kingston ram the 9800 card and not worry about it. its looking a bit more expensive to overclock than i expected since the case and powersupply play a big part and the heatsink fan is ofcourse a big part and apparently an expensive one too heh.
I'm also wanting to get a new hard drive thinking of ata133 7200rpm that gonna work well with parts discussed thus far

[Steven4563]

for me overclocking isnt to save money its a hobbie like most ppl here and about if u only want to go to 3200+ speeds thats fine u dont need it to be unlocked and the 420watt should do fine if its a good brand u dont really need a big heatsink and fan to overclock just that much

get a SK-7 and a TT Smart fan II comes to about £30 here if u want u can get cheaper ram just make sure its pc3200 so it can hit 200fsb like the 3200+ :D

[MoSiAc]

Well its a case from www.coolerguys.com a company called custom cases I dunno if anyones had any experiences with them or not. It doesn't really give much listing about the power supply in the case. Ok so as long as the ram is 3200 I can hit the 200fbs and reach the 3200 speeds. This is a very interesting hobby. I just wanna make a gaming system a little cheaper and use parts in the way they are supposed to be used. My friend is spending tons of money on cooling and heatsinks and stuff but doesn't even overclock his hardware he just worries too much about it. Thanks for all the help I'm sure Ill be frequenting here. I'll probably have nothing but problems after I start putting the whole thing together

[Steven4563]

lol dont worry we all have to start off somewhere :) my first overclock was a amd athlon 850mhz to 901mhz i was scard id break it but i didnt oh btw once u overclocked once u cant stop :p

[MoSiAc]

Another question. So I'm supposed to get the Barton 2500 right
is it a 333fsb when I order it cause thats what New egg has, just checking.

[Steven4563]

yes the 2500+ is a 333fsb chip :)

[cphastings]

I agree with Steven, the ABIT NF7 or NF7-S Rev 2 is definitely the way to go mobo wise. Plus, if you ever get into hardcore overclocking there is a lot of info on how to modify the board. If you're not in a hurry there is a new ABIT AN7 AMD Nforce board coming out shortly that looks very promising.

Be careful about the 2500+ Bartons as they're being locked now.

For the best Memory, look in the "Memory" section of the forums and find the thread "This weeks BH-5 Pricelist" - any of those choices for Memory would be great. I would suggest getting 2 x 256 MB Sticks of whatever you choose to go with.

Thermalright is definitely best heatsink hands down.

Most important thing of all: GET A RECOMMENDED POWER SUPPLY. I had pretty good parts in my sig and could never get it stable until last night when my new Fortron 350W arrived. I was stuck running 200 * 11 and now I'm up to 217 * 10.5 and rising.

With all the great info in this thread you should be able to make a wise decision.

[MoSiAc]

How come you guys aren't very positive about the DFI board all the reviews seem to say its a great board for overclocking. I'm not wanting to go hardcore just move the 2500 up to 3200 speeds. I'm doing OC for the opposite reason that most of you guys do it to save money the killer seems to be case psu i really don't want to spend 1000 dollars but if i want a good recomended PSU then I need to find a nice case thats inexpensive for it too. I looked at the antec ones and don't really want that big a case this computer is supposed to be for Lanning only so movement is a big issue.

[cphastings]

It's because the DFI hasn't been hardcore tested like the NF7 series has. Granted I'm sure the DFI is a great board, but it's more expensive (I think) and do you want to pay more for a glow in the dark mobo or for one that's proven to be great board over and over again.

The only PSU you need is the $42.00 shipped Fortron 350W from Newegg. If you want more than that go for the 530W Fortron.

[MoSiAc]

would 350 be ok for the fans and the cases lights and all the stuff in there?

[c627627]

Fortron rates their PSUs at 70% output, that means it can easily take on 400, even 500 watt cheapo power supplies and you'd be surprised just how many people skimp on this backbone of every overclocked system.

350 Fortron should be just fine for basic overclocking.

More extreme overclockers should definitely look into higher rated Fortrons though...

[MoSiAc]

ok thanks I think I found the case I want too. Another question will 1 front fan and one back fan be enough cooling case wise or should i look into something else or should i look into getting nice case fans?

[Tnick24]

Originally posted by Steven4563
Abit NF7-S
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ ( unlocked one )
ATi Radeon 9600pro or upwards
Twinmos 512MB DDR PC3200 All depends how much ram u want
Antec TruePower 430W or upwards

the Abit NF7-S is properly about the same in proformance as the DFI and is properly a better overclocker



Totally agree!

[MoSiAc]

ok so how does this sound
Abit NF7-S board
amd xp2500 barton oc'ed to a 3200
512mb ram pc3200
Ati Radeon 9800np flashed to a Pro
generic case
Fortron 350w PSu
and some Thermaltake HS and TT Smartfan II

[hitechjb1]

Originally posted by MoSiAc
ok so how does this sound


Abit NF7-S board
amd xp2500 barton oc'ed to a 3200
512mb ram pc3200
Ati Radeon 9800np flashed to a Pro
generic case
Fortron 350w PSu
and some Thermaltake HS and TT Smartfan II

Make sure the NF7-S is rev 2.0.

For memory, make sure it uses Winbond BH5 chips, CH5 would be OK too. E.g. Buffalo PC3700 (make sure the BH5 version, not micron), or TwinMOS 3200 (CH5) or Kingston HyperX 3500 (CH5).

For PSU, if getting Fortron 350W, get the one w/ 120 mm fan.

Get Thermalright HS SLK-947U, instead of Thermaltake. For less money, at least get SK-7 or SLK-900A (now on sale $20 at SVC w/ coupon). If you have to move the computer often, get the SLK-947U instead of SLK-900A.

[MoSiAc]

OK I"m also looking at the Casemaxx 210 series but they only have one rear 60mm casefan I want this case but not sure of my mod options. It looks like I could put 2 more 60's in the back but would that even be worth the trouble or should I try to find a way to Mount an 80 or something in there. Watercooling is not an option

[Tnick24]

check out www.frozencpu.com for cooling supplies, think they have olutions to make a 60mm port to a 80. Check them out, they have great stuff.

[MoSiAc]

Just checking but if I get the fortron with the 120mm fan as an intake fan will a 60mm or 80mm make much a difference since that fan will be doing alot of work. I figure just as long as theres another fan back there things will be ok but I could be wrong.

[MoSiAc]

Just thought I'd give a bit of an update I purchased the case, PSU, Heatsink and Fan for my new system all recomended by you guys thanks a bunch heh I cheaped out and got the SLK -700 I hope I didn't make a bad choice there but well see when I get home and get to put everything together only 22 days

[trimai]

SLK-700 should be fine. I think it is a replacement of the SK-7. You should have no problem with this H/S.

[MoSiAc]

OK I've been reading and in 10 days I get to start work on the new computer. Should I give the computer a couple days before I try to OC it and since I'm just going to 3200 speeds just put the multi at 11 and the fsb 220 right I've been reading about the overclocking and everything and I haven't seen a real straight answer for what I want to know heh

[Mustanley]

I would at least wait until you have your OS and all software and drivers installed before attempting to overclock.

[MoSiAc]

ok well I was thinking of giving it a 24 hour burn in session at base install that way it gets used to running stock and then starting to overclock just wnated to check to make sure

[Tnick24]

It wouldnt be a bad idea.

[Zyl]

Originally posted by MoSiAc
OK I've been reading and in 10 days I get to start work on the new computer. Should I give the computer a couple days before I try to OC it and since I'm just going to 3200 speeds just put the multi at 11 and the fsb 220 right I've been reading about the overclocking and everything and I haven't seen a real straight answer for what I want to know heh

Hmmm just thought i'd mention...XP3200 speed is 11x200 not 11x220...you're pushing about 2.4ghz if you're doing 11x220...and even at 11x200 you might have to raise Vcore up some (about .1mV)

[Steven4563]

just put the fsb to 200 when u get all your stuff :) should be ok run prime95 for 12 hours if it fails up the Vcore 0.25V then try again

[MoSiAc]

Ok thanks for the info on that. I remember when I tried overclocking my first time on an Athlon 800 slot chip, I had bought one of those alpha heatsink/fan combos the heat was so bad in my case the cpu was fine but everything else almost melted I didn't know what I was doing. Glad I found this forum.