E4500 + ECS P4M800PRO-M for budget OCer?

[21stHermit]

Can I use my ECS P4M800PRO-M-V2.0 MB with a E4500 and OC [11x300] to 3.3GHz? Please look at the 4 screenshots in the link, they show the BIOS screens for overclocking and RAM control. The FSB can be set by 1Hz up to 300Hz, but no higher. The CPU can be bumped 0.03V, next screen, but no more.

I'm still coming up on the curve and not sure if my Kingston DDR2 value ram will work. I could use my DDR 400 RAM in the same MB, but would rather use the DDR2, both 2x1GB.

I have a Big Typhoon for cooling.

Thanks
Hermit

 

[Markfw]

They really suck for OC'ing, I have had them.

 

[21stHermit]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
They really suck for OC'ing, I have had them.

Is that ECS in general or that specific MB? Suck is hard to wrap my arms around, could you be more specific. I want to learn.

Thanks

 

[Markfw]

well, they are fine motherboards for a non-ocer. But the way it works with dividers and and what not, I could only get a E4300 up to 2 or 2.1@280 (if I remember correctly), it wouldn;t even do 300. Then I took the same chip and memory, and got 2.9 on an S3 motherboard.

 

[21stHermit]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
well, they are fine motherboards for a non-ocer. But the way it works with dividers and and what not, I could only get a E4300 up to 2 or 2.1@280 (if I remember correctly), it wouldn;t even do 300. Then I took the same chip and memory, and got 2.9 on an S3 motherboard.

I assume by "it wouldn't even do 300" you mean after setting 300 in BIOS it wouldn't POST?

My only OC was taking a P4 Northwood 1.6GHz and using the multiplier to get it to 2.4GHz, no voltage, no divider, it just worked and its still running today. So I didn't learn a lot.

 

[Markfw]

Right. I don;t remember exactly, but if you want to play with OC'ing, get a giga-byte motherboard, any one in my opinion. The greatest cheap board is the S3.

 

[21stHermit]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
Right. I don;t remember exactly, but if you want to play with OC'ing, get a giga-byte motherboard, any one in my opinion. The greatest cheap board is the S3.

Maybe this thread will jog your memory. I'm wondering if you didn't have the original ECS MB and not the V2 MB?

I have no interest in "playing" with overclocking. I'm looking for a max bang for the buck OCer. I already own the ECS MB, I didn't buy it as an OCer but I was wondering if it just might. The article I linked to seemed quite positive.

Currently I'm considering two options:
1] Bump my A64 s939 to an X2 and OC or not.
2] Put this $106 E4500 into my ECS MB, its 11X multi is the draw.
in either case I wouldn't need a new VGA card or a new MB.

I'm thinking a E4500 would run circles around an A64 X2, both with a mild OC. What'd think? :thumbsdown: :thumbsup: Maybe both.

Thanks

 

[o1die]

Not with the ecs p4m800-pro. You'll take a 5-10% performance hit with the via chipset and agp. I wouldn't get the 4500 until you get some fast memory and a decent overclocking motherboard.

 

[harpoon84]

Originally posted by: o1die
Not with the ecs p4m800-pro. You'll take a 5-10% performance hit with the via chipset and agp. I wouldn't get the 4500 until you get some fast memory and a decent overclocking motherboard.

You're missing the point man. The OP doesn't *want* to buy a new mobo and RAM, he just wants to get an E4500 and run it as fast as he can.

21stHermit, the main factor is what FSB the mobo can sustain. If it can do 300MHz, great, you may max out the E4500 @ stock voltage before you even hit 300FSB.

If it maxes out around ~280FSB like Markfw900's old board, then you're looking at ~3.1GHz, which is pretty close to what most E4500s can do without a voltage bump anyway.

Of course, the E4600 with the 12x multiplier is even better, you only need 250FSB to hit 3GHz, or 275FSB for 3.3GHz.

 

[21stHermit]

Originally posted by: harpoon84

Originally posted by: o1die
Not with the ecs p4m800-pro. You'll take a 5-10% performance hit with the via chipset and agp. I wouldn't get the 4500 until you get some fast memory and a decent overclocking motherboard.

You're missing the point man. The OP doesn't *want* to buy a new mobo and RAM, he just wants to get an E4500 and run it as fast as he can.

Thank you for reading and understanding my situation. :beer:

21stHermit, the main factor is what FSB the mobo can sustain. If it can do 300MHz, great, you may max out the E4500 @ stock voltage before you even hit 300FSB.

If it maxes out around ~280FSB like Markfw900's old board, then you're looking at ~3.1GHz, which is pretty close to what most E4500s can do without a voltage bump anyway.

Of course, the E4600 with the 12x multiplier is even better, you only need 250FSB to hit 3GHz, or 275FSB for 3.3GHz.

I wasn't aware of the E4600, oops!!!

Currently I'm considering two options:
1] Bump my A64 s939 to an X2 and OC or not.
2] Put this $106 E4500 into my ECS MB, its 11X multi is the draw.
in either case I wouldn't need a new VGA card or a new MB.

I've pretty well decided to do both: The $60 A64 X2 Manchester now and see what BF offers for a s775 upgrade later.

Many thanks
Hermit