Help! AnandTech's Weekly Overclock Setup

[monkeynetman]

Hi AnandTech forum members! The name is Brian and I just joined!

Alright so I'm planning to take Anandtech's recommendation, because I'm in SERIOUS need to upgrade (I'm still running a Pentium III 533!!!)

The Main OC list:
- ABIT NF7-S
- AMD Mobile 2500+
- 2X 256 MB Mushkin Level One PC3500
- SLK-947U + Vantec Fan with Arctic Silver 5
- ATI 9800XT *provided by my company =D*

Okay... now bare with me folks... I'm a newbie when it comes to CPU overclocking... I just need to get some things straight before I begin my overclocking adventures.

Question 1: Memory timing... is it best to set it in manual when overclocking? Or is it okay if I simply leave it in automatic?
Question 2: Are -ALL- AMD Mobile 2500+ multipliers unlocked? I'm probably going to purchase it from newegg.
Question 3: Do you guys recommend any other parts vs. Anandtech's suggestion? I preferrably want to keep this project's budget under $450.

Thanks in advance to those who advise/answer/reply/whatever!

 

[myocardia]

Yes, all mobile XP's are unlocked. And I would recommend getting either Corsair XMS or Kingston HyperX PC3200, over Mushkin Lvl I PC3500. 210 fsb at 2-3-3-11 will perform better (i.e.- faster) than 2.5-3-3-11 at 220 fsb. Oh, yeah, you'll be much better off setting your memory timings yourself in the bios.

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: myocardia
Yes, all mobile XP's are unlocked. And I would recommend getting either Corsair XMS or Kingston HyperX PC3200, over Mushkin Lvl I PC3500. 210 fsb at 2-3-3-11 will perform better (i.e.- faster) than 2.5-3-3-11 at 220 fsb. Oh, yeah, you'll be much better off setting your memory timings yourself in the bios.

2.5 vs. 2... isn't THAT huge... especially in an amd setup... bigger difference probably in an intel setup....

but still.. i'd recommend the kingston hyperx pc3200 non-A version as well...

 

[aboothman]

Just want to throw in that my pc-3500 Mushkin level 1 is running at 222-225 fsb at cas 2. Prime stable
for, well, a while. 8 Hours is the most patience I have had so far...

That setup should rock. I am actually planning on building something similar in a month or so.

 

[magratton]

Originally posted by: myocardia
Yes, all mobile XP's are unlocked. And I would recommend getting either Corsair XMS or Kingston HyperX PC3200, over Mushkin Lvl I PC3500. 210 fsb at 2-3-3-11 will perform better (i.e.- faster) than 2.5-3-3-11 at 220 fsb. Oh, yeah, you'll be much better off setting your memory timings yourself in the bios.

Well.. I am actually running 210 fsb with 2-3-3-11 timings and am using the mushkin ram. I will say though, if there is no price difference, I think I may get one of the others in the future. In myo's defense, previously on this board many of us were having troubles figuring out how to get the mushkin ram to run correctly. If you do buy it, keep it at 2.6v in the bios. That is most stable it seems.

Also, the Thermalright heatsink on the Abit NF7-S v2.0 motherboard may have to be modified. I had to get out my dremel tool to cut a little tab that sticks out on the heatsink otherwise it was pushing against some capacitors beside the CPU. If you want to try a different heatsink (and save a few bucks) then get the Speeze Falconrock instead. Hey, then apply the money you just saved and get the 2600 Mobile instead!

 

[nick1985]

i really suggest a gig of ram

 

[Jeff7181]

<--- has Mushkin PC3500 Level capable of 218 Mhz @ 2-3-3-11 on 2.6 volts... mine doesn't like 2.7 or 2.8 or 2.9 volts either.

 

[Tango57]

nice list! yes get everything from newegg. you should easily get all those components under $450.