DFI LanParty nF3-250Gb, PC3200, and Overclocking

[Farmer]

In preparation for the legal release of Half Life 2 (is there any other reason?)...

I'm going to do a reformat and reinstall on both of my primary systems, and hopefully get that back into tip-top like new shape, and then install SP2, Norton, and hopefully help them stay that way.

Well, I'm losing my wireless network for a wired one (yeah, first time you heard that one). I just figured, for the amount of money I need to get the signal strong enough, I might as well spend $13 on 100 ft of Cat6 and do some wiring, but, I digress...

Yes, well, I've been using my MSI K8T800 mobo with a Clawhammer 3200+ for a year now, and I've been thinking about moving to the DFI nF3-250Gb board. So, you ask "Why? There's practically no performance difference between the two platforms." Well, the nF has AGP/PCI lock, and, I hate MSI: my first K8T800 was DOA, I RMAd, and got one with a non-functional floppy channel (which presents a problem when trying to install XP onto a SATA HDD).

So I ask two questions: 1.) I use Crucial low latency DDR RAM (runs fine with the AMD64), but its rated for PC3200. Is there any sort of overclocking that can be done, even the slightest bit? and 2.) What is DFI's reputation when it comes to mobo stability; I've heard nothing but good things about the LanParty nF3, but, then again, before I purchased my MSI, I heard the same good things. In another sense, is DFI's QC similar to, worse than (I don't know how it could be) or better than MSI? Is it comparable with ASUS?

Ok, I will ask a third question: Are there any reasons why I should not do anything like this?

 

[Hajime]

1) Yes. I've been using the same ram to experiment with ram limitations lately on my mobo. I've been able to reach 2.4-2.5ghz with an A64 3000+
2) I have not experienced one crash, memory "weirdness", or anything else that was not completely my fault. My only instability is due to problems relating to a WD Raptor and the 1-2 SATA channels not being locked. 3-4, however, are. QC? Every DFI board I've ever used has never had a single issue. Ever. Only Abit has matched them for quality/reliability in my experience.
3) Since the MSI has a non-working floppy channel, if you plan to install a SATA drive, you won't be able to with Win XP.

BTW: Agreed on MSI. I've had more trouble with their motherboards then anything else.

 

[Farmer]

Thanks for the response.

1.) That's good. I don't really look to push any furthur than 2.4GHz (from 2.2GHz), since I will be running 'on air' with a copper HS. Any info on what voltages you're using?

3.) I'm not quite sure how I got XP installed onto my computer in the first place; I just kept trying and trying until one time, it worked, I have no reason as to why it happened, and, being my lazy self, have not deigned it necessary to look for a reason; since then, the floppy drive is detected by BIOS (as always), but nothing can ever be read. So, yes, reinstalling XP would be a no no for me, at least with this MSI mobo and HDD.

2.) Well, I guess we have Oskar Wu to thank for that .

Hopefully, I'll get the DFI by Thanksgiving, along with a bigger power supply for my HP.

I don't build new systems that often, and, until I bought that Intel mobo, I had dealt only with Abit, ASUS and Intel mobos, and all of them had worked out of the box and ran stable. And then the MSI comes along, bring a string of problems. I honestly will never buy MSI again.

 

[Hajime]

Voltages are stock to 1.55v....I'm using the retail heatsink, so it's not a very good cooling system. Untill I get my new case, and know the space I have, I don't have much in the option of heatsink purchasing and whatnot . No ideas of case space == bad for buying heatsinks such as the Zalman CNPS7000 or the Thermalright XP-120 (Or whatever it's called )