Epox 8RDA+ + AMD 2100+ ... Help

[SpyderX]

I'm planning to upgrade in a week or two (but want to make sure I have all the facts straight before I go on), mainly upgrading my "main pc", which is basically the motherboard, processor and memory, along with a watercooling setup. The parts I will order will be
-Epox 8RDA+ (NForce2 Board)
-AMD AthlonXP 2100+
-Corsair XMS PC3200 (DDR400) 256DDRRAM (I only have enough for one but when I have the additional money, I will get another stick to take advantage of the DualDDR Technology. For my watercooling setup, I will be using the white water's block, along with dtek's customize radiator, bay resevoir, Eheim 1024 (I might have the model # wrong but I know it's 102#). I'm also thinking about maybe getting a block for either the north or south bridge (although I don't know which one would receive more heat, or etc) and I might be getting a little ahead of myself. So mainly I would start out with the CPU and not have to worry about anything else then right? (Ie - Memory and PCI/AGP (PCI/AGP because of the lock))
So basically it's all about lowering the multipler and upping the FSB first (to match my stock speed) and of course after that, use stress programs (Prime, Toast, Folding, etc) for at least 12 hours to test it and then once stable, continue to try and get the FSB up some more until it becomes unstable. Then I would up the vcore and same thing. THEN I would start with the multipler and in the end, when I found the best thing right before it gets unstable + great temperatures and also hopefully a vcore that's suitable, that's mainly it?
And with multipler, FSB and vcore, I would of course be upping it little by little and not in huge chunks...
Thanks for the help
BTW, is there anything I'm missing about OCing or ???, if anything, please tell me so I know and etc. I'm still somewhat confused about how memory involves the OCing and etc. Thanks!
Actually, what about burning in before overclocking...How do you go about it...

 

[MichaelD]

Hello again.

Your rig is fine...but why are you going w/a water-cooling setup when this is kind of an "initial" foray into OCing for you? Watercooling can be dangerous if not done right/supervised constantly...it's not a "set and forget" type thing...at best you can fry your entire rig; at worst, your apartment/house...think about it. NOT trying to discourage you at all, just playing Devil's Advocate. For A WHOLE LOT less money, you can get a really nice traditional HS like a SK800 and pair it with either a quiet fan or a screamer. I use a Thermalright AX-7, which is not the best thing out there, but it is close. The key is to get a HS that allows you to use an 80mm fan (case fan). You then have your choice of ultra quiet fans like the Panaflo A1 (pretty sure about the model#) or Vantec Stealth Fan (what I use...very nice) or a 5,000rpm hairdryer...up to you. 80mm fans move a lot more air than the traditional 60mm CPU HS fans do. More air at less noise. Win-win for you.

AFA parts go, your setup sounds great. You don't need any additional cooling on the Northbridge, but I would recommend (b/c Insane3D recommended it to me, and he's Dr. Know Everything...really) removing the Northbridge HS, removing the thermal pad (pink pad) that Epox puts on it and replacing it with some AS3. It makes a BIG difference, especially if you plan on shooting for 180MHz or better FSB.

You have a good base to start overclocking. With the 8RDA+/2100 B TBred/Corsair XMS3200 CAS2 you can't go wrong. Good luck.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Here's my vote for the 8RDA board. While I am not OC'ing, my recent purchase of a 2000 XP+ and Epox 8RDA MB was my first venture into high end AMD systems. I have not had any problems with the Epox and am very satisfied with my decision to go with Epox...

 

[MrC4]

MichaelD makes a lot of since. Unless you are going with watercooling for the novelty, save yourself the headache and get a good air cooler.

 

[BLoop]

AFA parts go, your setup sounds great. You don't need any additional cooling on the Northbridge, but I would recommend (b/c Insane3D recommended it to me, and he's Dr. Know Everything...really) removing the Northbridge HS, removing the thermal pad (pink pad) that Epox puts on it and replacing it with some AS3. It makes a BIG difference, especially if you plan on shooting for 180MHz or better FSB.

Just so you know, removing or changing the NB fan will probably void the warrantee. Here is a quote from Epox Tech, over on the AOA Epox forum.

Any activity changing or modifying the northbridge cooler is outside of warranty.

It's about 1/3 of the way down in this post. Not saying, you shouldn't use the AS3. I'll be doing the same thing. Just thought you should know.

 

[majewski9]

Yeah I have always wanted a water cooled rig but I really dont think I want to manage the up keep on it. Im going with the pal 8045.