cheapest reliable AMD 64 overclocking setup

[designit]

Hi guru's.
I am interested in putting together the cheapest but reliable PC w/ AMD 64 3000 (939)
and would like your inputs on putting it together the least expensive, that at the same time can boost it up.
Basically least expensive mobo, 1G Dual Ram, Preferably AGP since can built the whole thing cheaper. But PCIe is ok too as long as not jacking up the cost too much.
What Ram
What Mobo,
how much overclocking? mid range ok
ATX wattage requirement? not a gamer but use CAD for technical Arch/Eng drawings.
I need about 128 MB AGP ,open GL, Active X compatible.
The Idea is to put this system together the least expensive and most reliable.
I would really appreciate your help.
I wouldn?t mind looking into Intel Dual D 820 if I can put it together reasonably priced and if I can boost it up w/ overclocking.
I like 820 because it is not that expensive and only .2-.4 GHZ shy of expensive Intel/AMD high end dual cores.
Thanks a bunch

 

[Bucks]

Am AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail -$190
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - $85
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - $126
CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - $90.50
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A - $42
MSI NX6600GT-TD128E Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - $181.50
Antec Sonata II (comes with 450watt psu) - $136

Total: $809

 

[Cheezeit]

Originally posted by: Bucks
Am AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail -$190
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - $85
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - $126
CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - $90.50
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A - $42
MSI NX6600GT-TD128E Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - $181.50
Antec Sonata II (comes with 450watt psu) - $136

Total: $809

what he said is okay, but since you're ocing get the 3000+ instead of the 3200.

THE ocing mobo is the DFI ultra d

The msi card has hsf problems, so it will probably overheat when ocing. i reccomend the evga, leadteck, or bfg.

as for the sonata2, you can get a differnt case and the fortron blue storm 500

 

[madthumbs]

I got an Athlon 64 3000+ Venice and have it in an Asus A8V Deluxe.

Results according to cpu-z;

2386.4MHz (default is 1800)
x9 multiplier
HTT 265.2

Memory;

Frequency 216.9MHz
FSBRAM cpu/11
Cas 2.5

Using 2x1GB Corsair XMS cas2

Beware if you plan to use 4 dimms, you may be locked into a much lower dram frequency. I've heard it's because of the cpu's memory controller and is no fault of the mobo.

 

[furballi]

Corsair VS or Kingston Value RAM...$85
AMD 3000 winchester...$117 OEM version
Abit AX8...$100
Antec SLK 3000B...$50
Enermax 495 Noise Taker V2.0...$75
X300 128MB for basic CAD...$55
Zalman 7000 CPU cooler...$25
NEC 3520/3540 DVD burner...$45
Seagate SATA 150GB...$59
Samsung floppy...$7
OS...free if you already have W2K or WXP

The new 8237A is compatible with X2. The board uses all Japanese caps. I have no problem hitting 275MHz FSB. So what's the problem with VIA? The board is very reliable due to the passive northbridge heat sink. Key words...cheap and reliable!

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Ew. VIA Chipset is the worst thing to get now, it's not even X2 supported.
If you're not getting the DFI LanParty board Iw ould recommend changing that board to the EPoX Ultra board which got extremely good overclocking marks, unlike the Chaintech which the 2nd poster mentioned.

-TPG

 

[designit]

i like your system. But I thought asus is not good overclocking for AMD, but works well w/ intel.
You are right about 4 dimms not clocking well. But I thought it was chaintech mobo.
I dont know much about chaintech. so i am shying away from it. what about Gigabyte motherboards?At least i know Gigabyte has good reviews where ever website i look posted by buyers.
would you please give me the spec on the ram.
thnaks

 

[KoolDrew]

AMD Athlon 64 3000+
DFI NF4 Ultra-D
OCZ Value RAM
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB
NEC ND-3540A
ATI Radeon X800XL
Cooler Master Centurion 5
Fortron AX500-A

 

[designit]

Thanks Bucks,
This is a very good setup, thanks. But have to say it is a little over my budget.
I am using my old WD 80 GB HDD, modem, CDrw, and a good case w/ 250W PSU. But I may have to buy 350-500W and just replace it w/ the old one. Hopefully I dont have to do it if 250W is enough. Let me know please
thanks

 

[KoolDrew]

You can get a cheaper videop card then such as the 6600GT. Also a 250w will defitely not be enough. Get the Fortron AX500-A for $70 as I recommended.

 

[designit]

Thanks Cheezeit,
Yes I was more interested in 3000.
So you think DFI is a good board?
how much overclocking can I get out of it. and would it take 4dimms for good overclocking?
I have read (on intel's forum) that 4 256 (2 set duals) performs better than 1- dual @ 512. I think all I need is 1gig of ram just doing CAD drawings and rendering. not a gamer just use the computer for working and surfing.
I would appreciate it if you give me the Ram's model # and at what speed (500,533,600,etc,)
Thanks

 

[designit]

furbally,
this is a great choice. so as some of the other suggestions. you guys are all full of good ideas. Now I am confused. just kidding.
I am going to start studying the suggestions.
you have been a great help.
thanks

 

[designit]

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy
Ew. VIA Chipset is the worst thing to get now, it's not even X2 supported.
If you're not getting the DFI LanParty board Iw ould recommend changing that board to the EPoX Ultra board which got extremely good overclocking marks, unlike the Chaintech which the 2nd poster mentioned.

-TPG

dose epox have good drivers? and is it easy to overclock it?
I will look into this mobo. thanks pentium guy.
by the way-If you are a pentium guy, what do you think about intel's 820D, 2.8GHz dual core? it only costs about $235.
I have been a pentium user too and I like it. Can you overclock this 820D?
specially what kind of FSB would i get out of it?
The reason I have become interested in AMD is because of this 2000 GHZ hyperthreading vs intel's 800FSB.
But if I could boost the 820D's FSB, I think I can get better performance than AMD high end cpu's. better than fx55 and pay a lot less.
specially when DDR2 667 are the latest tech these days.
I would'nt mind paying little more if I can overclock 820D.
any suggestion?
Thanks

 

[The Pentium Guy]

by the way-If you are a pentium guy, what do you think about intel's 820D, 2.8GHz dual core? it only costs about $235.
I have been a pentium user too and I like it. Can you overclock this 820D?
specially what kind of FSB would i get out of it?

WTF kind of question was that? It sucks.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

dose epox have good drivers? and is it easy to overclock it?

Yeah, way easier to overclock that than the DFI, because the DFI has all these little settings that you need to fine tune.

 

[designit]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
You can get a cheaper videop card then such as the 6600GT. Also a 250w will defitely not be enough. Get the Fortron AX500-A for $70 as I recommended.

Thanks KoolsDraw.
U also suggest DFI board. I will look into it.
I guess I have spend that $70 on fortron. better to be safe than sorry.
I may get back to you after deciding what system I would buy and ask your help on choosing the right Ram and what clock setting.
thanks a bunch for all the suggestions

 

[Matt2]

I didn't even read the entire thread, just look in my sig.

Best bang for your buck system available today.

My chip will go even higher, but even at 2.6GHZ the stock cooler can't hack it, the temps started to scare me so I backed it down to 2.2GHZ until the XP-90 arrives.

 

[designit]

Originally posted by: Matt2
I didn't even read the entire thread, just look in my sig.

Best bang for your buck system available today.

My chip will go even higher, but even at 2.6GHZ the stock cooler can't hack it, the temps started to scare me so I backed it down to 2.2GHZ until the XP-90 arrives.

is that 1 single ram or a dual 2-512?
would dual give you better performance thanjust one gig ram?
what about 2 sets of duals= two 2x256/
which of the 3 settings of rams would give you better performance
how does the hyper transport and memory controller works in AMD- does it splits the FSB evenly among 4dimms? if so what what ram speed wuld work better as far as effeciancy is concerned, not wasting any extra ram spped.
I hope I didnt make it to confusing. What i know is that intel's 800 FSB is splits to 2-400 MHZ between rams and 400 MHZ all it needs. what about AMD since it has 2000 HT?
I guess what I am asking is what size, setting(dual or single) and at what speed should the ram be for your overclocking suggestion?
thanks

 

[bob4432]

to the peeps that are helping designit out - look at this thread where he is crapping all over amd but want help on building one here??? seems like a mental troll..

 

[BOLt]

Originally posted by: bob4432
to the peeps that are helping designit out - look at this thread where he is crapping all over amd but want help on building one here??? seems like a mental troll..

I agree with bob4432. This designit troll needs to piss off.

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: bob4432
to the peeps that are helping designit out - look at this thread where he is crapping all over amd but want help on building one here??? seems like a mental troll..

LOL

"AMD is built on cheap products and inferior quality."

They're cheap alright, but quality is through the roof.

THis coming from the guy who hated AMD. I was Intel all the way up to my P4 2.4B Northwood, which was still an excellent processor. MAde the move to AMD when I went to college via 1700+ @ 2.2GHZ and I have never looked back nor will I ever go back to intel.

Who else can give you a 2.6GHZ+ 64-bit processor for $140???

Not Intel.

 

[Crescent13]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
AMD Athlon 64 3000+
DFI NF4 Ultra-D
OCZ Value RAM
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB
NEC ND-3540A
ATI Radeon X800XL
Cooler Master Centurion 5
Fortron AX500-A

:thumbsup:, but personally, I would get a smaller hard drive (~160GB).