Intel 2.xCGHz / ABIT IS7 / Overclocking question... help appreciated

[RobertCane]

Hey all --

Still working on pricing out a system, and thought I might go with the ABIT IS7. The GAT BIOS upgrade seems to make this a very attractive option. My question has to do with OCing a 2.xCGHz Intel chip on one of these things. Actually it's a couple of questions:

1) What's a good HSF that's not too expensive but will ensure rock-solid stability if I overclock?
2) Am I going to need PC3700 memory to take full advantage of the GAT technology on the IS7?
3) Which of the 2.xCGHz chips has the best price/performance ratio for mild overclocking? The 2.4C is obviously cheapest, but is it worth it to go up to the 2.6 or even the 2.8?

Lots of questions, I know, but any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot,

-- Rob

 

[rickon66]

The Thermaltake Volcano 7+ is a solid copper HS with a 3 speed fan. It is one of the best low cost coolers out there. I have a p4 1.8 @2.55 on the IS7 with Samsung 2700ddr. Of course the faster the ram the better.

 

[RobertCane]

Is that necessarily true about faster memory being better? I don't know too much about this, but I remember reading somewhere that there's a latency penalty for using higher-speed ram when overclocking that negates performance gains. Let me know if I am misguided.

-- Rob

 

[brettjrob]

What's the noise like on the Volcano 7? I looked up the price and it's not bad at all, but I have an Antec Sonata case made for quiet computing I would hate to ruin it with a hairdryer HSF.

 

[RaymondY]

I like my Zalman 7000CuAl HSF with my 2.6c processer on my IS7. Haven't had a chance to o/c yet. Maybe next week

 

[rickon66]

The noise on the Volcano 7+ ranges from nearly silent on low speed to moderately noisy at the high position. I used the low setting on my P4 1.8@2.4 and it ran great until I kicked up the CPU to 2.55. I now use the medium speed. I think this is a very underrated HS/Fan, with very good construction quality. Make sure you are looking at the 7+ , I think there is a plain 7 that is not all copper

 

[ferrarifreak93]

Originally posted by: RobertCane
Is that necessarily true about faster memory being better? I don't know too much about this, but I remember reading somewhere that there's a latency penalty for using higher-speed ram when overclocking that negates performance gains. Let me know if I am misguided.

-- Rob

It depends what you mean when you say faster. You can buy "fast" ram, like pc3500 or pc3700 or even pc4000, but you must pay attention to memory timings. For example, you can buy cheap pc3200 memory that runs at 200Mhz but at slow timings (ie 3-4-4-8). You can also buy low latency hi-speed memory, like Kingston HyperX or Corsair LL modules that run at very fast timings (ie 2-2-2-6).

Anyway, to your questions...

1) I suggest Thermalright SLK-800 or Zalman CNPS7000Cu

2) You don't need pc3700 memory, but you shouldn't skimp too much when buying memory

3) If you don't mind spending the money, the 2.6c is better. However, I would go with the 2.4c if I was buying right now. I don't think the 2.6c is worth the extra money - around $40.

 

[orion7144]

If you are going to get the PC3700 memory I would just save some money and get the 2.4C. Also there is no need to upgrade the HSF if you buy the retail CPU. It's only a few bucks more and has the 3 year warranty. I tried the Zalman and only lost about 1-2 degrees over the stock HSF so I sent it back.

 

[RobertCane]

Thanks for all the help so far. Here's what I think I'm going to go with:

ABIT IS7
2.6C
CORSAIR MEMORY XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, Low Latency (Twin Pack) 512MB(2 x 256MB) 2x(32MX64) TWINX512-3200C2PT With Platinum - Silver Heat Spreader.Retail
Specifications:
Speed 400 MHz
Organization 2 x 32M x 64
Memory type DDR
Part number: TWINX512-3200C2PT Model#: TWINX512-3200C2PT Special Free FedEx Saver Shipping ($132)

Let me know if there's a better 512MB i can get on newegg for less. It may turn out that I go for the highest GAT setting over a CPU overclock. Thanks again,

-- Rob

 

[Nebor]

Just so you know, GAT is a joke. You have to disable part of it to run your system stably on the top two performing GAT settings, Street Racer and F1. I'd still recommend an Abit board though.

 

[brettjrob]

*Get the ABIT IS7-E if you don't need FireWire or RAID to save a few bucks (although it's really just that... a few bucks)

*Looks like good memory you picked, should be good for overclocking. Thing to remember with dual-channel is that if you think you're ever going to need 1GB (2x512MB) while you own this board, you might want to get it now instead of paying $130 for the 512, deciding in 6 months you need more, and having to pay again for 2 sticks of 512.

*In response to Nebor, can GAT be set on "Turbo" (what I've heard is the equivalent of PAT) without stability problems with most memory?

 

[SexyK]

I highly reccommend the Zalman CNPS-AlCu7000. Dead silent and a great performer. 2.4C @ 3.0GHz the this HSF never even breaks a sweat.

 

[RobertCane]

*Is* GAT a joke? The IS7 review that AT.com links to shows some pretty solid performance increases when it's enabled at the higher settings. Is that bogus? Here's the link: http://techreport.com/reviews/2003q3/abit-is7/index.x?pg=1

-- Rob

 

[DGath]

I have a 2.8c IS7 with a gig of HyperX 3200, should be fine to run GAT. Nope, can't even run it on turbo cause it'll crash my system. GAT isn't a "joke" if you are lucky enough to have a good motherboard, but if you are lucky enough to have a good enough motherboard to run it, you likely have a 875 versus an 865. GAT (PAT) is built made for the cream of the crop 865s, which are sold as 875s. And that is why it is locked on the 865s, because it won't run on all of them.

Don't expect to be able to run GAT smoothly. While you can get lucky and get an 865 that slipped through the 875 testing, don't plan on it cause you have more of a chance of getting one like mine that can't even run it. Still though, this system flies!

 

[batmang]

I'd actually recommend going with an IC7 and a 2.4c, along with a SLK-900u and a nice 90mm fan. I have a IS7-E, 2.6c, SLK-900u, Thermaltake Smart Case Fan (original), Geil 3500 Ultra Platinum 2x256, 450w Allied PSU. The highest I can get it to run fully stable at is 3.11Ghz. I had to go all the way to 1.65vcore too....which sucks. Using that high of a vcore just to get 3.11Ghz kinda blows...but then again, getting any oc is good, but I expected to get at least 3.2Ghz, but im limited by the vcore. With the 2.4c/IC7, ive seen alot better oc's compared to the 2.4c/2.6c/IS7 combos. Ive seen 2.4c's run at 3.5Ghz with 3200 Corsair XMS. Id go with that, imho.

 

[brettjrob]

That sucks... just purchased an IS7-E last week and my 2.4C is on the way. Just when I was dreaming of an easy 3.0GHz overclock I hear this . And the IC7 was only $30 more :disgust: