Budget motherboard recommendation for e4300 overclock?

[adsmith82]

I am purchasing parts for a friend's computer within the next few days. We are looking for cheap performance. I have read that the $135 Asus P5N-E SLI board is a very good overclocker. But for an e4300, won't the $109 MSI P6N SLI-FI do just fine? Even if I drop the multiplier so I can run 1:1 with 400MHz memory (btw, what do I gain running 1:1?), 400MHz really isn't that demanding.

Also, what is the increment when adjusting multiplier down? 7.5 x 400 would yield 3.0GHz. That is about what I am expecting for CPU speed. I think if I go for 8 x 400, I will have to raise the voltage and it will be too much for a stock heatsink/fan. Correct me if I'm wrong, 3.2GHz would be great.

As far as I know, 650i SLI boards are currently available from MSI, ECS, ABIT, ASUS, and GIGABYTE. Shouldn't all be equally capable of maxing out a CPU with a 9x or 10x multiplier (namely e4300/e4400)?

Also, if I run something like 333 MHz x 9, would I be just as well to buy DDR667 memory or is it better to run 5:6 and use DDR800? (Am I right to say 5:6? Is it CPU:MEM or MEM:CPU?) Or... is it always best to run a 1:1 ratio?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Zardnok]

Does he need an SLi board?? If not, maybe a Gigabyte 965 S3 or DS3 or spring for a tad more and get an Asus P5K vanilla board. It would likely be the absolute best.

As for multipliers, I am unfamiliar with partial multis... I always though it was 6, 7, 8, 9, not 7.5. Someone else feel free to correct me.

3.2G on a 4300 chip is outstanding.

I am unfamiliar with the 650i boards, so can not give an accurate opinion of how each of the boards listed OCs.

If you plan on running 333X9, yes you can do fine using a DDR2-667 RAM. Even if you want to go a tad over 3.0, the 667 should OC a bit. The pricing on the 667 vs 800 is really close these days though, so depending on what is on sale, you may do just as well to go with the 800 and run a lower latency on it. The Corsair XMS2 PC2-5400C4 stuff is on sale at the egg for $70 shipped. I am using some of that for a build I am doing for my cousin. Decent DDR2-800 stuff is $15ish more, although there is a GSkill set from Newegg that you can get a 1gb flash drive for $3 bundled.

As for memory ratios, back in the olden days, AMD chips needed to be run at a 1:1 ratio for optimal performance. Today, it doesn't really matter much, especially not on an Intel chip. There are perhaps some benchmarks that MAY show a benefit running your RAM faster than your CPu, but for gaming, I just don't see much benefit.

If I was doing your build, I would use the Asus P5K vanilla board and the Corsair XMS2 PC2-5400C4 stuffage. Looking at just over $200 for mobo and RAM.

 

[adsmith82]

I am not sure if he wants SLI capability... we are starting with a single 8800GTS. If he doesn't want SLI, we might choose a P965 or P35 board.

Basically, I want to look at the following possible fsb/multiplier combinations that we might use, evaluate likely voltage and cooling requirements, and see what you, the experts, have to say. Which of the settings below would be practical and safe? What voltage adjustments would likely be required and why? (I want to understand voltage adjustments so I can know when and how much to adjust them.) Would stock heatsink/fan for the CPU be sufficient for the below settings? Are there certain motherboards I should avoid because of inadequate northbridge cooling at the given settings?

We will likely use one of the following:
7.5 x 400 (3.0GHz) [is 7.5 possible?]
8 x 400 (3.2GHz)
9 x 333 (3.0GHz)
9 x 355 (3.2GHz)
9 x 400 (3.6GHz) [only if this can be considered safe... I've read of 4.15GHz with an e4300. Why is 3.6GHz asking a lot?]

The following 650i SLI boards are available. I currently like the P6N for it's brand name and price tag. I have heard that the P5N-E is a good overclocker, but like I said, I'm not sure it is necessary for an e4300? If he has no interest in SLI, feel free to recommend a P965 or P35 board. Keep in mind we are looking for cheap. (Memory performance gains in P35 may be worth a small premium if they are significant and have real-world benefits.)

$90 ECS NF650iSLIT-A (after $20 rebate)
$110 MSI P6N SLI-FI
$127 ABIT Fatal1ty FP-IN9 SLI
$135 ASUS P5N-E SLI
$140 GIGABYTE GA-N650SLI-DS4

 

[AnotherGuy]

I donno about 7.5 multis, but i just ordered an Asus P35 P5k for $139.99 + an e4300 OEM for $108 both shipped for $10... i think pretty good deal on both items... dont forget u need an hsf thoe if u choose oem... I ordered it from Xpcgear.com
I donno this etailer but seemed fine to me ... wish me good luck.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Why not the P6N SLI Platinum, with the heatpipe running across the VRMs and the northbridge and southbridge.

 

[adsmith82]

AnotherGuy: P35 sounds good, I just wish it supported SLI. I may go with that if the guys says he doesn't want SLI.

VirtualLarry: The platinum with heatpipe would be fine if the heatpipe is necessary. I just don't think it's worth the $160 price tag. I could opt for an evga 680i SLI board for that price.