AMD d00d needs advice with Intel stuff

[infinite012]

Okay I've finally snapped and lost my senses (and cents, for that matter) and have decided to sell off the parts from my current nForce2 PC (somehow my video card got included in this) and I am going to purchase a P4 2.4C GHz CPU and mobo. From what I have heard, I should get a 865pe or 875 based motherboard from either Abit or Asus. Now comes the tough part - which one?

Abit IS7/IS7-G
Abit IC7/IC7-G
Asus P4P800/Deluxe
Asus P4C800/Deluxe

I don't need gigabit LAN (using wireless) so -G from abit would be overkill, right? So what's so different about the Deluxe and non-deluxe boards from asus? Gigabit LAN? ICH5R?

Which one of the 4 boards (assuming -G and Deluxe boards have overkill components like Gb LAN) would be the best for overclocking? Also, I have only PC3200 RAM - 1 512MB Buffalo BH-5 and 1 512MB Crucial Micron. Will these work okay at the speeds that I want to push the CPU? I want it to be at least 3GHz if at all possible for the CPU (I know there's a lot of factors involved, so 3GHz is my goal).

NEXT QUESTION!! Oh man I have a lot of these
The SLK-800(u) doesn't have much surface area on the bottom so will it be alright to use it with the P4? It looks like it won't contact 100% with the heatspreader.

LAST QUESTION!! I hope
What code/stepping/whatever should I look for with the 2.4C?

 

[jdogg707]

I would suggest the IC7, I have used it and it overclocks very well, but if you are into saving money, you can get the IS7 and lose a little bit of speed, but get the same general overclocking ability. The 800u should be fine, I have the 900u and it has pretty much the same amount of surface area on the underside of the heatsink, but cooled my processor just fine! As far as a stepping goes for the 2.4C, it really hasn't become evident that one stepping does better than another. You can try looking at the overclocker's database at www.overclockers.com, but you'll probably find the results all over the place as far as chips go.

 

[infinite012]

Well $20 difference in price isn't that much so I guess I could save up a little more for the IC7.

Thanks for the info. I'm going to be buying a 2.4C off of someone on the anandtech forums hopefully.

 

[jdogg707]

Sounds like a good plan...good luck with the overclock!

 

[Slammy1]

This should give you an idea:
2.4C Overclock DB

Looking at the top 10 for the 2.4C, one mfr does stand out. I like PC3500 for a 2.4C, 3200 is better for a 2.6C. You'll still reach 3GHz, but to go beyond you'll need to underclock your memory on a 3:2 ratio. I currently run 3.38GHz on a P4P800 with a Zalman 7000CU and HyperX 3500 on a 5:4. Max temp 47C. But I'd recommend the 2.6C for extreme o/c'ing on PC3200 memory, where running the memory at 400MHz will net you 3.25GHz.

 

[Shimmishim]

if you wanna do at least 3.0 ghz, then pc3200 should be fine....

if you set the fsb to 250 mhz and use the 5:4 divider, then your memory will be at 200 mhz which is perfect for pc3200

most likely though, you'll be able to get higher... but i think your pc3200 should be able to handle it..

but when you first start overclocking, use the 3:2 ratio to figure out the limit ofyour chip... that's what i did...

once i determined the limit to be around 292 mhz fsb, i realized with the 5:4 divider, i would need some pc3700 (233 mhz) so i bought some...

but if you get limited to ... 285 or lower lets say, then pc3500 would be fine for you...


try to determine the limit of the board/chip first

btw, ic7 is a great board except your limited in the range of voltages you have for the vmem though... unless you do a vmem mod like me!!!

 

[oldfart]

Another vote for the IC7

 

[infinite012]

Is the vmem mod hard? Like the ones for nForce2 boards? Soldering and all...

 

[sman789]

hey look at my sig



how is the vmem mod done....i have a l310 chip and it seems alotta people can get this chip really high...my OC at 3.4 would fail prime in 1 minute or so and the memory was as relaxed as you can get (even with GAT)

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: infinite012
Is the vmem mod hard? Like the ones for nForce2 boards? Soldering and all...

Yes, and seeing how Shim is being to modest to link to his handy work, here it is linkage

 

[Shimmishim]

thanks dapunisher!

yeah...

doing it isn't hard...

i just have no experience with soldering and it took me a while to figure out the correct way of tinning the wire and then getting the solder heated up while keeping a VERY steady hand on the pcb...

but if you're an experienced solder-er then it should only take like 10 to 15 minutes to do...

originally where i got the mod from

 

[infinite012]

Looks...difficult.

Okay another question: Will the IC7 be able to recognize my 200GB hard drive? It's a UATA/133 hard drive and the IC7 seems to only take ATA100...