How does this setup look? (Intel Overclocking Experts Please Help)

[Pattitler]

I'm buying my new computer for college and I need a little advice. I've finally got all the parts picked out, so I'll probably buy everything tomorrow.
I'm getting the 1.8A and Gigabyte's 8IHXP motherboard with 512MB (256 X 2) PC1066 Kingston RDRAM. Since I'm going to overclock, I've decided to get a serious H/S too. I decided on the Swiftech MCX4000 with a huge fan (loud too, hehe).
My plan is to overclock to 150 FSB, effectively raising my comp to 2.7 with PC1200 RDRAM. This is my first overclock, though I have been doing alot of reading while researching for my computer. My question is, will this work well? I understand that overclocking is really a roll of the dice. You might get a really overclockable CPU, you might not. But what's the percentage of successes of overclocking both the 1.8A and the PC1066 to 150?
My other concern is the 8IHXP motherboard. I've read that you cannot adjust the PCI and AGP speeds to a fixed speed. I've also read that the motherboard doesn't support the advance Ctrl + F1 (something like that, not sure the exact key combo on Gigabyte motherboards) menu that the others have, but it should soon with a BIOS update. When and if this advance menu is unlocked, will it have support for locking the PCI/AGP speed? Does this even matter? Will the current divider on the motherboard cause any problems at 150 FSB?
Thanks in advance for any input and advice you can give me. Suggestions and recommendations are welcome, as well as personal experiences with any of the hardware.

-CP

 

[jiffylube1024]

Whoah, hold on there! I think you're being a little too ambitious (read: WAY TOO AMBITIOUS) on your overclocking ideas. Even with a swiftech HSF I seriously doubt you'll get a 1.8A up to 2.7 Ghz -- most 1.8A's settle in the 2.0-2.5 Ghz range, I've rarely heard of any getting even up to 2.6 GHz. Also, the PC1066 RAM is a gamble also - not all PC1066 will run at PC1200 speeds.

Even getting PC1066 memory with a 1.8A is a risk - if it doesn't run at 2.4 GHz then you are screwed and will be forced to run at slower than PC1066 speeds (which also might be attainable by much cheaper PC800 memory).

For a first time overclocker, I'd recommend a more "safe" overclocking route - get a nice, overclockable P4 motherboard with PCI/AGP locking, (like the ASUS P4B533-C), and some fast memory (like quality PC2700 DDR) and either a 1.8A or 1.6A and just see how high it goes. You may get lucky and get 2.7 Ghz, you may get only 2.1 or 2.4 , at least you won't shoot yourself in the foot by getting components that you may not even need (like PC1066 memory if you can't hit 2.4+ GHz)

 

[Mikki]

I would suggest going with the 1.6a, the lower multiplier gives you more room for overclocking. Also, I suggest the Asus or Epox 845/845G boards, I've seen some good success stories with these boards. And lastly, go DDR, preferably the Corsair XMS stuff. Check out the threads in this forum for info on all this stuff. Good luck!

 

[Bingo13]

If you are going RDRAM get a 2.26 chip on either the 8IHXP or Asus P4T-533.

 

[Duvie]

I think you are being ambitious as well, but newer 1.8a's are seeming to run 2.4ghz at default vcore like a lot of the may or newer 1.6's did....2.7 may be a push without possible 1.7-1.75v of vcore....

The question is the rdrams ability.....


Also you do not need a loud fan to cool a p4...Look at my rig below and I am running an 80mm ystech fan running 3700rp, pushing 50cfm and only running 38dbs...My older 70mm fan that was underperforming ran 4200rpm, pushed only 33cfm and was 39db....

 

[Barrei]

Actually Jiffylube there are quite a few 1.8a's get to 2.6 ghz and higher ,I've seen them as Ive gone to different o/c websites, however they are the exception and not the rule, I run mine at 2.682ghz no problem.