Is This An OK System To Overclock???

[drunkmonkey]

Would this system handle overcloking well w/ a better cooling system and what else whould I need to overclock it? Any other recomendations? I'm a newbie to overclocking as you see. Thanks.

I have this system:
Mid-Tower Case w/ 2 fans (soon 2 be more)
Gigabyte K7 mobo (GA-71XE4)
AMD Athlon Processor @ 800mhz
128mb of RAM (soon 2 be 384mb)
ATI Magnum/Xpert128/X99/Xpery2000 16MB
Creative SoundBlaster Live!
30gb standard hard drive(don't know manufacturer
MTRP 52x CDROM
I think power supply is 300W, I can't open my case at the moment
-current CPU temp: 104*F
-Core 0: 1.78V
-Core 1: 2.56V
Is there any other info I nEEd to give you guys/gals?

[jbell]

Tough call...

First keep your ram the same!! so what ever that 128Mb is - buy a matching stick, do NOT mix your ram!!! Also CAS Speed helps - look for ram with a CAS speed of 2

I don't know ATI video cards, but it sounds liek it isn't the newest model and thus prolly harder to mod. Plus being 16MB I don't know if it supports 4X AGP....

The price of CPUs and MOBOs these days - dropp $120 into a EPOX kta 3+ and an Athlon 1G+ or a EPOX DDR board but then you have to get new ram altogether but RAM is VERY cheap....

If your HD is OEM it might not handle a higher bus speed.... especially if it is a 5400rpm

Your PSU is certainly strong enough to handle a higher system - and an overclocked one at that!!

52x cd-rom is respectable!

If your going to overclock two fans will not be enough... also consider a high end heat sink.... A Alpha PAL or a WinGlobal CAK38 are two good heat sinks... Thermaltake Volcano 6cu+ is another - that is what I run right now.

Hope that helps and WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!!!

[FRANK]

First of all, Welcome to the forums.

Now the bad news. After looking to the Gigabyte website and perusing the manual for your board, I have to say that the potential for overclocking is rather limited. According to the manual for that board, with the AMD 750 chipset, the FSB is limited to 115MHz max. This along with no multiplier adjustments will limit what you can expect.

This is one of the first generation socket A motherboards, it was introduced before the 266FSB ("C") CPU's, therefore the 133MHz option was not necessary. Although there is an option for a FSB setting of 115, it would not be surprising that you can't reach it. I didn't see any options to increase the voltages to the CPU, RAM or cards, if that's the case, it is very unlikely that you would be able to go much over default anyway.

One other thing, this board only supports up to the ATA 66 standard, the newest hard drives coming out are moving to the ATA 133 standard, twice as fast as what your board can take advantage of.

You can try your luck at increasing the FSB, but I believe that your results are going to be limited.

There are a lot of motherboards available now in the $75 to $100 range that would give you excellent results while keeping your basic system intact (I just bought the new Epox 8KHA+ with the newest VIA KT266A chipset for $107).

Spend a little time in the "Beginners Guide" and the "CPU Database" both found on the front page of this site. The time spent there will help you get a handle on what's necessary to achieve the results that you are seeking.

Good Luck!

[drunkmonkey]

Thanks a lot, I wuz thinking of buying a new mobo anyway if this could not handle it. I'm sure my hd is 7200rpm but I don't know the manufacturer. I've heard shuttle mobos are good 4 overclocking, any input? Thanks for all of the advice... :D :beer: :eh?: :D

[FRANK]

Originally posted by drunkmonkey
Thanks a lot, I wuz thinking of buying a new mobo anyway if this could not handle it. I'm sure my hd is 7200rpm but I don't know the manufacturer. I've heard shuttle mobos are good 4 overclocking, any input? Thanks for all of the advice... :D :beer: :eh?: :D

Four different replies will yield four different answers.

I have an Epox 8KHA+ that has worked well for me. Although this board has been a bit "quirky", I've been able to work through it with very good results.

I've read of good results with the Shuttle as well as the Soyo Dragons both of which use the Kt266A chipset. Nor can you can't overlook the offerings from ASUS, Abit, Iwil, MSI, FIC and the rest. All of these boards have their supporters as well.

My advise would be to do some research, there's a wealth of information out there that only you can sort through and use to determine which is best for you.

Good Luck!

[Mike K]

right now I use a Dragon Orb 3 and have 4 case fans running all the time pretty loud but I dont mind
I have a Shuttle that is very easy to raise the multiplier
I could probly go higher but I need some Artic Silver

*EDIT* I' m using a generic thermal paste right now that came with my 1st hs&f-there really is no other brand
The Dragon Orb 3 is my 3rd fan