Choosing hardware for E21xx overclock

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quadomatic

quadomatic

Senior member
May 13, 2007
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Hey everybody. I think I'm finally going to upgrade my PC to the E21xx and overclock the hell out of it.

Which is a better choice? The E2160 or the E2180? I heard the E2180 is better because it has a 10x multiplier, but I wanted another opinion.

I've decided on the Abit IP35-E for the motherboard, as that seems to be the best motherboard for this job. Any other ideas?

I'm having trouble choosing RAM. These looked decent, but I really don't know what RAM is good. Could someone give me recommendations, or tell me if I should get any of the following:

Patriot Extreme: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220144
Crucial Ballistix: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146565
G.Skill: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231098

I also saw HP Ram available for $7.80 a stick, after $20 rebate, limit 5. Is this deal still valid? Is the RAM good for overclocking the E21xx series? It would be nice to get 4 GB of ram for $30.

http://www.pcuniverse.com/product.asp?pid=3863691

I'm also having trouble deciding on a cooler. I was thinking that I should get the Freezer 7 Pro, but some people said that it has problems fitting on the IP35-E. I saw this $2 Cooler Master Hyper TX2 cooler. Is it any good? Should I get this or the Freezer 7 Pro? Is it true that the Freezer 7 Pro doesn't fit on the IP35-E? Any other recommendations for coolers?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835103031

I also had a question about the power supply. I have an Ultra 400 Watt power supply right now. Should I get a new power supply?

Thanks

UPDATE: The IP35-E went out of stock AGAIN. Does anyone have recommendations for a different motherboard?
 
S

SerpentRoyal

Banned
May 20, 2007
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IP35-E, E2160, HP RAM, and TX2 will work well. The Ultra will work, but I would watch hot deals forum for $30 AR Antec Earthwatts 500.
 
B

brencat

Platinum Member
Feb 26, 2007
2,170
3
76
Newegg sells the E2160 for $80 and the E2180 for $85. If you can get an M0 stepping E2160 for ~ $75 elsewhere, I'd go for that. If not, get the E2180.

The main difference is the multiplier. The E2160 has a 9x multiplier while the E2180 has a 10x multiplier. However, the max OCed core speed is roughly similar on all the E2XXX series as well as the E4XXX series chips ... right around 3.1 - 3.2ghz +/- 200 mhz. Max FSB for these chips is in the 370 - 380 range. Some can do more than 400 mhz.

By getting the E2180, you'll be able to use that cheap HP RAM you linked because with the 10x multiplier your FSB will probably be limited to ~ 335 (since you'll be close to the CPU's max core speed at that point). If you go with the E2160, you'll probably be wanting to go for 370+ FSB (9 x 370 = 3.33ghz core speed), so you'll need the better PC2-6400 RAM.
Out of those 3 RAMs you linked, I'd choose the Ballistix first, then G-Skill, then Patriot last.

The AC7 Pro will need to be trimmed slightly to fit on the IP35-E, so I'd avoid that. The CM Hyper TX2 is a good cooler from what I've heard but do not know if it fits as I haven't worked with it personally.

Lastly, the most important thing in your new rig is the power supply, so don't cheap out. Stick with quality - Seasonic S12/M12, Corsair 520/620HX(made by Seasonic), and PCP&C. OCZ GameXStream 700W is also good, as are some Antec Earthwatts. Be careful with Antec broadly though as some of their PSUs are not good.

All the best.
 
quadomatic

quadomatic

Senior member
May 13, 2007
993
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76
Thanks

I don't think I'm going to go for the HP ram, since PCUniverse has a very bad rating. I think I'll stick with newegg.

I think I'd go with the G.Skill among the ones I linked to, since the Ballistix is $25 more before rebates.

What RAM would you choose besides the ones I linked to?

I read something about M0 stepping on the E2180. Can someone explain what this is, why it's a good thing, and how much of a better overclock I could get because of it?
 
B

brencat

Platinum Member
Feb 26, 2007
2,170
3
76
Originally posted by: quadomatic
What RAM would you choose besides the ones I linked to?

I read something about M0 stepping on the E2180. Can someone explain what this is, why it's a good thing, and how much of a better overclock I could get because of it?
Click to expand...
Personally, if you're not going with the Ballistix, I'd go with these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146673

$39 AR w/free ship and Mushkin has lifetime warranty and great Forum support too.

Regarding your question about L2 vs M0 stepping, the M0s have a higher thermal spec -- 73.2C I think, versus 61.4C for the L2s, which theoretically makes them more tolerant to higher OCs because they can be pushed further under load. The E2140/E2160 were made in L2 and M0 stepping, while the E2180 is M0 only.
 
S

SerpentRoyal

Banned
May 20, 2007
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HP RAM will easily hit 400MHz if you bump Vdimm to 2.0. It's the most compatible RAM for your board. Always stick with high quality 1.8V DDR2 667 or 800 RAM. Don't worry about stepping. Even the E2140 is good enough with the HP RAM.
 
quadomatic

quadomatic

Senior member
May 13, 2007
993
0
76
Alright, since I'm doing this on the cheap, I think I'd go with the following at this point. If you can, please tell me what kind of overclock I could probably expect with this setup:

Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 - $79.99
Abit IP35-E Motherboard - $89.99
Cooler Master Hyper TX 2 - $21.99 ($1.99 after rebate)
2 GB HP DDR2 667 MHz Ram - $70 ($30 after rebate)
-http://www.costcentral.com/pro...ail/HP/PX976AT/L49299/
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (have some lying around)
Ultra 400W PSU (already have)

Total Cost Upfront - $267.56
After Rebates - $207.56

Not a bad price, though before rebates kind of hurts (I just put the cost in for reference)

If you have any recommendations or changes to this setup, please let me know.

Also, a guide for overclocking with this setup would be nice, since I'm kind of a n00000b.

Thanks a bunch!
 
B

brencat

Platinum Member
Feb 26, 2007
2,170
3
76
YMMV on the OC but I'd say 3.0ghz is virtually guaranteed and 3.2 - 3.3ghz is highly likely with at least 1.425 vcore.

You know where I personally stand on RAM -- I only use Crucial Ballistix and Mushkin. Serpent likes to pimp the cheaper stuff and he's right btw ... it is "good enough". But not good enough for me.
 
S

SerpentRoyal

Banned
May 20, 2007
3,517
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0
To overclock...clear CMOS with power disconnected, use 1:1 memory divider, 2.0Vdimm, 1.42Vcore, and 333MHz FSB.
 
quadomatic

quadomatic

Senior member
May 13, 2007
993
0
76
Thanks a bunch

I'm hoping that I'll buy the parts in a week or so, and that I'll have it set up and overclocked before mid-January.

Anybody know any good deals on any of the components I listed before? I'd like to save some money here and there to try and bring the total cost down (especially the cost before rebates)
 
G

GundamF91

Golden Member
May 14, 2001
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You missed out quite a few rebate deals around Xmas, but don't worry, the tech prices always trend downwards. If you must have it now, check out ClubIT, mWave, Microcenter, and NewEgg. You should have all you need there, and compare their prices on different components. If you can wait another 2 months, the Penryn should be out in masses, and then you might be able to get more for your dollar. I think the E2180 will drop to E2160 price level, but you'll only really save $10 at most.

 
S

SerpentRoyal

Banned
May 20, 2007
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Originally posted by: Zap
Originally posted by: quadomatic
Patriot Extreme: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220144
Click to expand...

I know you already chose your parts, but I just wanted to point something out in case others were thinking of these parts. I had some of this Patriot RAM (but with red heatspreaders) and it would NOT work on first POST with the Abit board.
Click to expand...

Those are NOT 1.8V DDR2 800.

IP35V is an inferior boad. Fair value is around $40.
 
quadomatic

quadomatic

Senior member
May 13, 2007
993
0
76
Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Originally posted by: Zap
Originally posted by: quadomatic
Patriot Extreme: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220144
Click to expand...

I know you already chose your parts, but I just wanted to point something out in case others were thinking of these parts. I had some of this Patriot RAM (but with red heatspreaders) and it would NOT work on first POST with the Abit board.
Click to expand...

Those are NOT 1.8V DDR2 800.

IP35V is an inferior boad. Fair value is around $40.
Click to expand...

Wow, k, thanks for the warning. I'll stay away from that one then.
 
B

brencat

Platinum Member
Feb 26, 2007
2,170
3
76
Originally posted by: Zap
Originally posted by: quadomatic
Patriot Extreme: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220144
Click to expand...

I know you already chose your parts, but I just wanted to point something out in case others were thinking of these parts. I had some of this Patriot RAM (but with red heatspreaders) and it would NOT work on first POST with the Abit board.
Click to expand...
Agreed Zap. From what I've observed, Patriot RAM often requires more vDIMM than many comparables and will frequently not boot at the JEDEC spec of 1.8v. Hence, why I ranked it 3rd out of the 3 he listed. I would rank it dead last if you also include the Mushkin RAM I linked in my following post.

In addition, Patriot has not been the best with rebates either. I've had 2 friends who got burned on separate offers at different times with not getting their rebates back.
 
S

SerpentRoyal

Banned
May 20, 2007
3,517
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0
99% of RAM problems are caused by POS non-JEDEC DDR2 667 or 800 ICs. Look for 1.8V DDR2 667 or 800 RAM from Crucial or Kingston (N5 only). These guys are the top vendors with very good R&D. KISS. Do not waste time with other resellers! Note that Kingston N5s do not come with rebate.
 
S

SerpentRoyal

Banned
May 20, 2007
3,517
0
0
Originally posted by: quadomatic
Hey everybody. I think I'm finally going to upgrade my PC to the E21xx and overclock the hell out of it.

Which is a better choice? The E2160 or the E2180? I heard the E2180 is better because it has a 10x multiplier, but I wanted another opinion.

I've decided on the Abit IP35-E for the motherboard, as that seems to be the best motherboard for this job. Any other ideas?

I'm having trouble choosing RAM. These looked decent, but I really don't know what RAM is good. Could someone give me recommendations, or tell me if I should get any of the following:

Patriot Extreme: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220144
Crucial Ballistix: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146565
G.Skill: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231098

I also saw HP Ram available for $7.80 a stick, after $20 rebate, limit 5. Is this deal still valid? Is the RAM good for overclocking the E21xx series? It would be nice to get 4 GB of ram for $30.

http://www.pcuniverse.com/product.asp?pid=3863691

I'm also having trouble deciding on a cooler. I was thinking that I should get the Freezer 7 Pro, but some people said that it has problems fitting on the IP35-E. I saw this $2 Cooler Master Hyper TX2 cooler. Is it any good? Should I get this or the Freezer 7 Pro? Is it true that the Freezer 7 Pro doesn't fit on the IP35-E? Any other recommendations for coolers?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835103031

I also had a question about the power supply. I have an Ultra 400 Watt power supply right now. Should I get a new power supply?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Earthwatts 380 PSU for $20 AR. Free ship. Jump on it before it goes OOS.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...005&CMP=AFC-C8Junction
 
VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,587
10,227
126
Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
The HP/Crucial RAM is $ in your pocket.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. I sent my rebate in during 10/2007, and still haven't received it yet.
 
VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,587
10,227
126
Originally posted by: brencat
Agreed Zap. From what I've observed, Patriot RAM often requires more vDIMM than many comparables and will frequently not boot at the JEDEC spec of 1.8v. Hence, why I ranked it 3rd out of the 3 he listed. I would rank it dead last if you also include the Mushkin RAM I linked in my following post.

In addition, Patriot has not been the best with rebates either. I've had 2 friends who got burned on separate offers at different times with not getting their rebates back.
Click to expand...
I've got some Patriot 2x2GB 5-5-5-12 2.0v modules, and they boot and run just fine at 1.8v. So I would guess it depends on the module.

 
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