Looking to buy a cheap overclockable system please help!

[sirgamesalot]

Hello im looking to get a system (intel) that will be able to play large games, run alot of 3d programs and all that other heavy stuff.

The thing is im trying to get a processor/mb that can overclock alot but at a good price.

Can someone please tell me a nice intel cpu, motherboard, ram and video card ( i need a nice card that can be overclocked)

Also i need a nice case that will be able to hold alot of fans because i want to try and do this with fan cooling not water cooling.

Im looking to get around 3.6ghz, but im unsure if its possible to run games etc at that speed.


Kind regards,
Eddy

[emerald]

mhm ... waht is a good price for you when you speak about ~3.6GHz ?

[sirgamesalot]

Im not too sure, im just trying to get the lowest prices system that can hit that speed.

Ive seen the 2.4c get up there, depending on the price i would go with a 2.4c if it can get up around 3.2 on air cooling.

Price is a factor but im just trying to get a system for a good price that will be able to oc to the highest possible speeds.

/eddy

[sirgamesalot]

Sorry for the double post but are Jet 4's any good for cpu cooling? they look great...

/eddy

[mattspalace]

Hmmm... if you want 3.6GHz, then your best bet is probably a 2.8C, but 2.4C's and 2.6C's have also reached those speeds..


Whatever you do, don't skimp on CPU cooling. I'd spend as much as you can afford on a very good heatsink and fan.

For a motherboard, I'd go with either an ASUS or Abit Springdale chipset.

You have several memory options with a 2.8C, depending on the ratio you're looking to run, but again.. don't skimp out.

I'd recommend a radeon 9800 Pro personally. But I don't know how much you plan on spending for your setup..

Got any cost ideas?

[barton2500]

I doubt if you'll really appreciate the difference between 3.4(most 2.4/2.6 should do this) and 3.6.

You won't get much cheaper than that for Intel. But for AMD, you could be getting a ~$100 mobile AthlonXP 2500 that does 2.6/2.7 easily, which will compare well against the P4 @ 3.2.

There's a thread on overclocking mobile Celeron 1.6A(256k cache) to 3 GHz. That costs ~$100 and would be a good deal, but remember it doesn't have 512k cache like Northwood P4s.

[batboy]

It's hard to make recommendations when I don't know your budget or what features you need on your motherboard, but here's one possibility that should make 3.4 to 3.5 gig (or maybe 3.6 gig if you get real lucky).

Abit AI7 motherboard, 2.8C P-4 (preferrably SL6Z5), 2X256 or 2X512 Kingston HyperX PC3000 (use the 5:4 ratio and tight timings), and Thermalright SP-94 or SLK-947U cooler.

You could substitute the 2.4C which should get close to 3.4 gig using the 5:4 ratio and tight timings. Plus, the Abit IS7-E is a little cheaper too if budget is a big factor.

The ATI Radeon 9800 Pro is awesome, but sort of expensive. For a little less, maybe look around to see if you can still find a 9700 Pro. For a medium priced card, maybe consider the 9600 XT. All of these these choices are good overclockers.

Case? Lots and lots of good ones available. Look around and find one that you like. I just got an Enermax Rainbow case that has room in the front of the case for up to a 120mm fan, two 80mm in the back (I used LED lighted fans), 80mm in the side, and 80mm in the top. Plus it just looks so cool with all the lights, black body, silver front, and LCD temp readout. I used black floppy, DVD, and CD/RW drives in mine. Here is a pic of this beauty. I've already had two people offer to buy it from me.

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/batboybain/bat+lighted+computer.jpg

[sirgamesalot]

Thanks for the help guys. You know the clear cases? how many fans can fit in there? im looking for a case that allows alot of fans.

Regards,
Eddy