Attempting first OC --- questions

[MrRobOtto]

I am about to attempt my first OC on a new system I just picked up. It is a AMD1800XP on a SoyoDragon+ with an Alpha PAL8045 Heatsink and fan. I have 2 sticks of 256 MB 2100DDR Crucial Micron memory. (non-ecc, unbuffered.) I bought an Antec SOHO 1030B case to put it all in and a Gainward GF3 ti200 video card. (Yes, I regret now getting the 128 MB version since their seems to be little advantage to it over the 64MB one.)

Let me start off by saying that I will using the system primarily for gaming purposes. That being taken into consideration, here are my questions:

1. Is any one OS better for Overclocking a machine than any other? I notice a lot of user profiles using Win2k and NT but not much on the win98/me format.

2. How much airflow should I try and get through my case? My Antec case comes with two 8cm fans in the back and I bought two more to fill out the optional fan holders in the case. Is this sufficient to move air through my case if I try to unlock the chip?

http://www.antec-inc.com/product/cases/sohoser.html

3. Is the Alpha PAL8045 going to be sufficient cooling for my chip if I do unlock it or should I look at some sort of enclosed cooling on my processor.

I'm not looking to do anything too crazy, but I would like to get maximum performance for my buck at a decent level of "safety."

Any info is much appreciated. If you need any extra info I'll be happy to provide it. I'm glad I found this site!!!! :)

I also have some questions about striping two 40 gig RAID HDs together, but I think I will take that discussion elsewhere.

Thanks,

Bobby Otto

[Jeniva]

(oops..double posted)

[Jeniva]

first off...Welcome to the Forums

ok now ..as you will learn there are certain places to ask certain questions..but i'll try to answer them as much as possible.

1. Is any one OS better for Overclocking a machine than any other? I notice a lot of user profiles using Win2k and NT but not much on the win98/me format.

well...I use 98se..im a gamer...98se is a great gaming platform...im not sure any given OS is better for O/C'n..what really matters is Hardware.[EDIT: I stand Corrected...hmmm, maybe i should go to XP]

2. How much airflow should I try and get through my case? My Antec case comes with two 8cm fans in the back and I bought two more to fill out the optional fan holders in the case. Is this sufficient to move air through my case if I try to unlock the chip?

I have The Antec 1040, I have all 4 80mm fans inside set as Exuast, I also have 3 120mm Intakes that I put into the case side..ITs plenty of airflow. You have a nice heatsink/fan combo..so my suggestion is use 2 80mm as intake, and the other 2 as exaust..run your system for a while NOT O/C'd..and see what the temps are.

3. Is the Alpha PAL8045 going to be sufficient cooling for my chip if I do unlock it or should I look at some sort of enclosed cooling on my processor.

The Alpha PAL8045 is an excellent HSF..you should be ok..depending on how far your going to take it.

Just take it one step at a time...Dont jump straight to your Max OC..start slowely..see what the system is doing..if everthing seems ok (temps are good, system is stable) then take another step up...and so on...

Hope this helps :D Another one Gets Bit by the OC Bug!!

[VegetaQ]

Ive Heard from Senior Jon that His personal expearences are Windows 2k handles pushing the FSB higher than Windows XP Does. As far as gaming I havent had too many compatability issues (With NEW games) In any OS. (I dont do Linux. Yet) Only things like Warcraft with Xp. Still havent gotten that to work.

I would go with Xp or @k however because I don't belive (Expecially with the performance jump I saw) that Me or 98 manage any memory over 128 in a good fashion. I know that with my 512 as soon as I switched over from Me to Xp I saw a GREAT diffrence in everything from load times to 3dmark scores (granted my Card is not a super gaming card, But I still got better) Thats my expearence with Os.

[David]

generally NT/2k/XP are better Oses than 95/98se/Me as they are built on the more stable NT kernel and have greater ability to use extra RAM and also dual processors.

[Newbie_Doo]

Although there is an OS question at the top of this thread, I am moving this to Cooling.