5 Questions, Some Weird Ones....

[musak999]

Hello! Maybe you guys could help me out and answer these questions that have popped into my head the last couple days....



Do you guys overclock because you enjoy doing it or because it's cheaper than upgrading? Let me say that another way, will I end up saving more money in the long run if I were to buy very good oc'ing hardware right now and pushing it to it's limits or by buying a cheaper system based on stability without oc'ing and upgrading when I feel I need to?

Which is computer makes more noise, an old pent133 system (what I'm running right now) or a new2200+ system with relevant parts?

Do premade systems built by smaller computers stores use OEM or Retail parts?

On a non dual DDR mobo, if I plan to use 512mb RAM, is it preferable to use 1 stick or 2 sticks of 256mb? Does it
matter?

Just curious, are there any electricians out there? I've thought about taking courses to one day be one and I was wondering if assembling computers or oc'ing is somewhat similar to what an electrician does on a daily basis?

Thanx:beer:

 

[Confused]

Do you guys overclock because you enjoy doing it or because it's cheaper than upgrading? Let me say that another way, will I end up saving more money in the long run if I were to buy very good oc'ing hardware right now and pushing it to it's limits or by buying a cheaper system based on stability without oc'ing and upgrading when I feel I need to?

I overclock because I do not earn much money, and can get the higher performance from what I can afford. I got the Epox 8RDA+, as well as a TBred B 1700+, and currently have it as fast as a 2600+. I'd say go for a good motherboard, but the slower, good overclocking processor. The motherboard is probably one of the most important bits, as everything else talks with/through it, so you want a good motherboard.

Which is computer makes more noise, an old pent133 system (what I'm running right now) or a new2200+ system with relevant parts?

You can make a new system quiet, by using a large Heatsink and a slow rpm, quiet fan.

Do premade systems built by smaller computers stores use OEM or Retail parts?

They will use OEM parts, supplied in bulk. There are no differences between the OEM and retail, other than price and packaging normally!

On a non dual DDR mobo, if I plan to use 512mb RAM, is it preferable to use 1 stick or 2 sticks of 256mb? Does it matter?

I personally would use a single 512mb stick, as it gives you more upgrading options, as you can have more total memory later on.

Just curious, are there any electricians out there? I've thought about taking courses to one day be one and I was wondering if assembling computers or oc'ing is somewhat similar to what an electrician does on a daily basis?

Sorry, I'm not an electrician, can't help you here


Confused

 

[jackschmittusa]

1. The new system will make more noise, but with the selection of the proper parts, it may be a minimal increase.
2. Many smaller vendors in my area will often offer a choice of oem or retail parts. Sometimes oem parts have lower performance than the retail version, generally have no software bundle which might be included in the retail version, and sometimes have a shorter warranty. Not all of the above may apply to a particular part, you have to do some homework if you want to know.
3. Single stick
4. I have worked as an industrial and construction electrician and it is nothing like building and ocing computers.

 

[mooojojojo]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
1. The new system will make more noise, but with the selection of the proper parts, it may be a minimal increase.

you sure? the old hard drives used to whine really loud.
also when fans wear out, don't they make more noise? 🙂

 

[TheCorm]

The thing to consider when thinking about overclocking is that if you are the kind of person that is going to upgrade their PC regularly, at least one major overhaul upgrade in 2 years...then it's probably worth it.

Overclocking often reduces the lifespan of a component....so if you overclocked and it reduced the lifespan from 10 years to 3 years but you upgrade every year then what the hell ay?

There are ways of making modern systems quiet but the extra fans needed generally will make more noise than an old system like a Pentium I 133mhz which can actually have no fans in some cases....my mums old PII 300 is definately quiet than my rig.

I am never really bothered whether it's OEM or Retail, if the price difference is minimal I will go Retail because it helps when I resell. Some OEM products are of course just the bare items while others are everything that retail is....less the box.

One 512mb stick might be every so slightly more....but it's worth it yeah.

Yeah....i'm an electrician....FZZZZZZZZZZZTTT....AAAAGH!....Whoops...😀

 

[JBT]

My old P I 200 is in a way noiser than my current XP 1700 Oced to XP2000. it is alot more annoying sounding I do know that. The hard drive in that things SOUNDS AWFUL. All I hear is that thing whining. The new system has the sound ofa nice fan noise (which I need to sleep) =) I perfer the sound of NEw system compared to OLD systems

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: musak999
Do you guys overclock because you enjoy doing it or because it's cheaper than upgrading? Let me say that another way, will I end up saving more money in the long run if I were to buy very good oc'ing hardware right now and pushing it to it's limits or by buying a cheaper system based on stability without oc'ing and upgrading when I feel I need to?

If you want absolute stability (like me), you won't overclock your primary system. However, if you're going to insult your new hardware by using an outdated and inferior OS such as Win98 or WinME, you might as well overclock because it's going to be unstable anyway. If you make the right choice and go with a newer OS (like Windows 2000 or XP), you can still overclock to a point and have reasonable stability (tested by running stuff like Prime95 for a day in Torture Test mode, or Folding@Home with -advmethods, and making sure it doesn't crash).

Which is computer makes more noise, an old pent133 system (what I'm running right now) or a new2200+ system with relevant parts?

Old systems typically have terribly noisey hard drives (especially when seeking), so a newer system with quiet fans and a newer, quieter hard drive would definitely be quieter. However, if you're overclocking, you'll probably want fans that move more air (thus, louder fans).

Do premade systems built by smaller computers stores use OEM or Retail parts?

They use OEM parts. No difference except in packaging, and that some stuff (OEM drives, for example) comes without extra cabling or screws.

On a non dual DDR mobo, if I plan to use 512mb RAM, is it preferable to use 1 stick or 2 sticks of 256mb? Does it matter?

No, the speed will not be different, but I advise one stick of 512MB for future upgradability concerns.

Just curious, are there any electricians out there? I've thought about taking courses to one day be one and I was wondering if assembling computers or oc'ing is somewhat similar to what an electrician does on a daily basis?

An EE or CE might work at Intel designing motherboards or processors, but in the field of EE there are many other types of jobs that can also be done.

<-- a highschool student that is interested in going into EE.

 

[jackschmittusa]

jliechty
Next time you meet an EE ro CE call him an electrician. I'm sure he'll be happy to explain the difference.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
jliechty
Next time you meet an EE ro CE call him an electrician. I'm sure he'll be happy to explain the difference.

Where did I say that? Maybe I wasn't clear enough, but EEs can do computer related stuff (still not exactly what the original poster said, but anyway) among other things, and electricians do (typically) simpler things, AFAIK. Sheesh, people, this is the internet, but why do you have to be so rude?

 

[musak999]

Aha, good one.

If you want absolute stability (like me), you won't overclock your primary system. However, if you're going to insult your new hardware by using an outdated and inferior OS such as Win98 or WinME, you might as well overclock because it's going to be unstable anyway. If you make the right choice and go with a newer OS (like Windows 2000 or XP), you can still overclock to a point and have reasonable stability (tested by running stuff like Prime95 for a day in Torture Test mode, or Folding@Home with -advmethods, and making sure it doesn't crash).Text

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Ahh..good point. I don't think i'll be quick to upgrade after buying my new computer so I should really consider that.