Considering overclocking

[Lanthanide]

Okey dokey. I'm pretty much a complete newbie to computer hardware, and am buying the parts to build meself me first computer (that ain't my parents). My MSI Neo2-FIS2R motherboard is on it's way from USA as we speak; MSI product page (http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=433)

Now I just have to buy the RAM and the CPU. I am going to be going with Adata RAM, 'cause I can get cheap price on it.

Basically my decision right now is this:

Buy a 3.0 GHz P4 with PC3200 ram, or buy a 2.8 GHz P4 with PC4000 RAM and overclock to 3.5 GHz for $20 more than above.

Simply by increasing the FSB speed to 1000 from 800. My questions are this:

1. Is this very risky, in terms of ruining things?
2. Would stock cooling be good enough for the proposed overclock, or would I need to buy better stuff? I've heard that the stock Pentium 4 coolers are pretty decent.
3. Would I need a better power supply? I'm getting a 420 watt one as part of my case.
4. Is Adata ram decent enough?


And just to make people envious, my setup:
2 x 120 gig SATA Western Digital 7,200 RPM in RAID 0
1 gig of 512 dual DDR RAM (adata, speed to be determined)
MSI Neo2-FIS2R (gigabit lan, SATA RAID, 6 channel sound, 8 x USB 2, 3 firewire)
Hercules Radeon 9800 Pro 128 mg
2.8 GHz or better Pentium 4

Case, mouse, keyboard, modem, Viewsonic G90f monitor, speakers, case lights (http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?image=00-700-008-09.JPG/00-700-008-16.JPG/00-700-008-10.JPG/00-700-008-11.JPG/00-700-008-12.JPG/00-700-008-13.JPG/00-700-008-14.JPG/00-700-008-15.JPG/00-700-008-01.JPG) , etc.

All for ~$3250 :)

[Valium]

well seeing as I know very little about intel dont take my words as gospel...

Id suggest going for the 2.4C as it clocks really well for a much smaller price. ($180 less)

One would assume that you would need a better cooler if you are wanting to overclock it that much, but i know nothing about intel cooling solutions...

The PSU is a delicate situation, as the 420W rating tells you nothing, look on the psu to see what its 5V and 3V rails are rated at, that will tell you alot, and the brand is often quite important.

Ram is something that you really shouldnt skimp on, trust me, ive done the cheap and nasty solution and it just comes back to bite you in the ass, go for mushkin/corsair if the budget allows these sticks have a great rep around here and never disapoint.

I think thats all i got to say, wait for tiggerz to turn up, he knows the intel well

[Lanthanide]

Yeah, basically what I'm after is a low-risk overclocking option that wouldn't require additional cooling or anything.

So I figure 800 -> 1000 FSB is pretty safe, with 500 DDR RAM.

2.4C overclocks to 3 GHz at 1000, which would be a lot cheaper than buying a 3 GHz outright (as my current plans are aimed at). But I think I'll only go that route (or 2.6) if overclocking the 2.8 to 3.5 is risky/annoying.

As for the PSU - yeah, I asked my uncle about this earlier and he said to check out the voltage rails on it. The problem is it's coming with my case and I can't find any info on the net about it. So meh.

As for Adata being cheap - I don't think it is, really, I mean it has 500 DDR ram, it must be pretty decent (compared to cheaper brands which don't have 500 DDR, for example). Not many reviews for it around at all though is the problem.

I could probably go for Legend RAM at a cheap (not as cheap) price too, if people think that's better than Adata. Part of the reason for picking Adata is the MSI motherboard page has Adata (although only 256) approved on it's list for working with the mobo - I'd rather not have hassles with having to return RAM for it not working and such.

It's good having relatives who work at electronics wholesale places :cool: :D

[Barry the Seagull]

well what type of case is it because generaly people that make cases will say what psu they put in them and if not go searching for reviews on the cases as most of the time they say what type it is or at lest if it is any good for overclocking

[bob_dole_nz]

Well, here is what i would do.

Microstar MS6758FIS2R i875P Neo ATX, 382.50

I woulda gone the IC7-G but you already have this board on the way.

Mushkin 1024MB PC3200 Level 1 232 Dual Pack ( 2 x 512MB) 581.00 653.63

Intel P4 2.4 Ghz 800FSB - Retail box 346.00 389.25

Thermalright SLK900 Pure copper heatsink no fan, P4 478 3.06GHz, AMD XP3000+ 98.00 110.25

Vantec Stealth 30

Zalman ZM-NB32J Northbridge Heatsink, golden aluminum, with thermal grease/adhesive 25.00 28.13

Power Colour XF98-C3 ATI Radeon 9800 Pro ATi Original Card in Powercolor Retail Box, 128M DDR, CRT+TV Out+DVI-I 796.00 895.50

2x Seagate ST3120026AS 120GB Serial ATA 7200RPM Barracuda 7200.7 - 8MB Buffer 230.00 258.75

3R System Neonlight (Black) - No PSU 92.63 104.21

Enermax 430 Watt ATX - Adjustable Speed 228.00 256.50

That is 3360. You still need a keyboard and mouse etc. Ie Ratpadz GS+MX500.
And a monitor. But I assumed that you are able to get stuff from newegg or the USA, so this stuff should be a fair bit cheaper. Just don't forget to factor in GST.

Also, with the SLK, that 2.4c should fly along. 3.2 if ya feeling up to it.

All these prices from starlyte. If i was gonna skinmp anywhere, i would drop back to 2x256 mushie. And maybe get 1x120gb, and a 36gb raptor instead.

[Lanthanide]

I've already got the hard drives and graphics card on their way to NZ, and the motherboard. So no changing them.

Western Digital > Seagate from everything I've heard, anyway. Which is why I got WD and not seagate :)

Basically what I want to know is if the type of overclocking I want to do (simply raising the 800 FSB to 1000) on the motherboard very risky/hotter?

Also whether it gets hotter/riskier for the higher CPU clocks, like is a 2.8 is more likely to throw a hissy fit than a 2.4...

I have $5000 so it's not like money is -really- an issue, I'd just prefer to get faster than 3 GHz if possible.

[AndarieL]

ally uo need now is a really decent sound system ;D
logitechs all the way~
z-680's :D
450 watts of rms ;)
get that if ya got a spare 600ish you wont be disapointed :o

[Barry the Seagull]

if you have 5000 to spend then i would be thinking of logging on to some american site and ordering a p4 3.2

[I.R]

Originally posted by Lanthanide
Hercules Radeon 9800 Pro 128 mg


dude where you gettin that from :eek:

[Lanthanide]

The hercules is from america. It comes out to ~$635 NZ.

Cheaper than any of those creative pieces of crap :P


Barry - why buy a 3.2 ghz if I could buy a 2.8 and overclock to 3.5? This is what I'm trying to find out. Also, if there's a fault with the CPU or something, having to send it back to USA is just a big hassle. That's why I'm buying the CPU and RAM here (+ they only came out about $40 NZ cheaper buying from USA anyway).

[Barry the Seagull]

if u can overclock a 2.8 to 3.5 why not overclock a 3.2 to around 3.8

[Lanthanide]

Why pay $400 extra now for something that won't really help much ATM and will be much cheaper in 6 months?

Also:

"It's also important to choose the right processor: Simply overclocking a 3.2-GHz model from 800 to 1000 MHz could go awry since the chip will then have to struggle with a 4 GHz speed. Our experience shows that this speed is probably only achieved by extreme cooling using Prometia or Vapo-chill type systems or using liquified gas in an uber-extreme temporary setup."

That is why I am asking about overclocking a 2.8 to 3.5.

[Seraph]

I'm running a P4 2.8C at 3.5ghz. Its easy as, Only had to up the voltage to 1.575 (might not even have had to, just did to be on the safe side). With stock cooling it idles at 30-37 depending on ambient. Goes like a scolded cat too

[tanivula]

ive got one of these boards :D they are wicked. ive posted a few messages here (http://forums.overclockers.co.nz/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9647)

shame.. i need a window to show off this uber(ish) stock nothrbrigde fan :cool: