Last AthlonXP system ever

[garyttu]

Alrighty,

I'm thinking of the following upgrade in the next few weeks...
I have decided not to wait for the Athlon64 (unless anyone can convince me ;p) - It's time to put together the last & best Athlon XP system together,while considering bang/buck, given that 64 is right around the corner...

Barton 2500+
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
2 x 512-MB Corsair TwinX XMS DDR400/PC3200 DDR


Anyone have any other recommendations? I'm looking for best bang for the buck until a better CPU line comes out (which will probably be this time next year)- Better OC'able CPU out there? Better OC friendly, feature-full MB? Better mem?

Chime in experts. 😉

 

[leeperpsu]

good choices

if you wanna save some $$$ look into the epox 8rda+ mobo. very good board
are you getting a video card? if so 9700 is getting pretty cheap.

 

[BaboonGuy]

corsair stuff is too expensive, get hyperx. it's significantly cheaper and has the same performance.

the A7N8X is also up there in terms of most pricey nf2 boards, a more economical choice would definetly be the super fast and good 8RDA+ or the more feature packed NF7-S Rev. 2

 

[garyttu]

there any reviews that talk about HyperX vs. Corsair mem?

Real reasons to go with that...

 

[Icewind]

These 512 meg stick of 3500 HyperX stick I have is complete ass. It refuses to run even CAS LAT at 2.0 stable even with the other settings default and with 2.64v on the VDIMM. Star Wars Galaxies crashed repeadtedly, UTK23k would always dump. The only way to even have my machine work is have EVERYTHING at default in the BIOS, which basically makes this gig of $270 worthless. If I wanted stock sh1t, I woulda just bought Crucial. Im gonna do everything in my power to make googlegear to exchange it for Corsair.

 

[Jeff7181]

Don't get HyperX... it has some serious issues with nForce2 chipsets. Not many people get it to run at it's rated timings, let alone overclock it at all. Go with XMS, Buffalo, or OCZ.

 

[SpideyCU]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Don't get HyperX... it has some serious issues with nForce2 chipsets. Not many people get it to run at it's rated timings, let alone overclock it at all. Go with XMS, Buffalo, or OCZ.

I can't agree with that. I just got some HyperX and it in fact fixes the problems I had with my previous memory sticks. Crucial and ValueRAM, yes, that has issues, but a handful of posts with people using HyperX that can't run above 200 MHz doesn't yet convince me that HyperX has issues...especially not for "many people". Someone should run a poll here...

 

[BDSM]

Hey there.. go for an Abit Nf7-2.0 instead. The overclocking features are way better on this board and it's known to hit much higher fsb's.
I'm using it myself with a pair of Twinmos bh-5 sticks @ 220 mhz fsb @ 2-2-2-11 and it performs very nicely!! And you will likely be able to hit much higher fsb's than I do because you have a 166 mhz fsb chip which can go up to 250 mhz on this board assuming you have good NB cooling and do the volt mod.

the twinmos sticks are also abotu half the price of the Corsair here in sweden.

 

[VisableAssassin]

id say ditch the asus board and get an ABIT NF7-S ver 2.0 also the 2500+ may give you the same OC as the higher models so you got a good deal there 🙂
as for yoru ram i am useing corsair xms and ilove the stuff. havent used the kingston yet but since yoru going all out dont screw around with 3200 get some 3700 or 4000 since the newer NF7-S's are capible of hitting 500+mhz FSB 🙂
and if you use a SLK-900U the nf7 is compatible with it last i checked 🙂

 

[garyttu]

Alrighty,

I've decided on the 2500+ and the Asus NF7-S 2.0.... (unless anyone has comments 😉

Now for the memory- recommendations for this setup?

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: SpideyCU

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Don't get HyperX... it has some serious issues with nForce2 chipsets. Not many people get it to run at it's rated timings, let alone overclock it at all. Go with XMS, Buffalo, or OCZ.

I can't agree with that. I just got some HyperX and it in fact fixes the problems I had with my previous memory sticks. Crucial and ValueRAM, yes, that has issues, but a handful of posts with people using HyperX that can't run above 200 MHz doesn't yet convince me that HyperX has issues...especially not for "many people". Someone should run a poll here...

I ordered two sticks of this and a revision 2.0 a7n8x. I plugged everything in and never got a stable boot out of my system. I ran memtest 86 and got massive errors so I said "the heck with it, it's going back". I purchased 2 sticks of pc2700 crucial instead and it runs like a champ.

If you own an MSI K7N2G-ILSR, do NOT buy this RAM! It caused frequent hang-ups on BIOS memory detection/intitialization and is not recommended by the experts in the MSI tech forums.

I bought two of these. It started crashing my computer silly until I finalliy realized it was a memoyr problem. called tech, wanted to return two, was told it might just be one. called back later verifying it was one. guy was nice about it. but if you pay attention to warrenty it's a stright 30 days warrenty. I'm afraid they'll send me another defective memory.

I can't even begin to tell how dissapointed I am with this memory. Bought 2x256 sticks. I absolutely can not get 2 sticks to run stable. I can barely overclock one stick above 137fsb @ 2-2-2-5. Tried absolutely everything, voltage changes, v-core, cas settings, different slot combinations.etc...etc...etc... I had PNY 2700 previous and could overclock at highest settings. I expected this memory to at least be able to keep up with the PNY memory.

one word... PITIFUL, I bought 2x256 of this, cannot run at stock 185FSB at 2-3-3-7 on my Soltek 75FRN-L... The computer froze about 1hr into windows, hell... 2-6-6-10 dindt even work. I tested the sticks 1 by 1, BOTH sticks are doing this to me.

it works, barely. Im running these in an asus a7n8x dual channel. 3500 chips only run stable at 166 at some crazy high cas timings. On the other hand, the 3200 chips ran just fine at thier rated speed of 200 mhz at 2-2-2-6. I plan on RMA'ing the 3500 and just getting some corsair, hear it never fails.

I had high hopes, I'd read a lot of good reviews for the hyperX memory. however it seems that this memory didn't get along w/ my soltek sl-75frn-rl (there is a big thread about this over at amdmb forums >soltek, check it out. anyway a lot of soltek nf2 owners seem to have difficulties getting the hyperX stuff to work.

Purhased 2 sticks of this 512Mb memory, (2x) 256Mb Kingston HyperX PC2700, (2x) ASUS A7N8X DLX, and (2x) ATHLON 2500. Had to step up voltage to 2.8 to get the 512Mb's to run in DUAL CHANNEL. Consistantly had POST Memory errors. Finally locked up to the point of having to boot with 1 stick only.

A bought this memory along with the ASUS A7N8X Deluxe MoBo and the AIW Radeon 9700 Pro and the AMD Athlon 2500 Barton at 166 FSB. I had a host of spontaneous reboots when using graphic intensive games (Unreal, FS, etc.) After playing with the settings clock speed and so on, I had to downgrade the CL to 2.5. This is the only thing that worked for me. I havent had any problems and the performance remains acceptable. I should have bought the more expensive Crucial. I would not recommend this memory if you have this motherboard, it is a waste of your money.

This HyperX RAM + Abit BH7 = Incompatible. Just a warning for anybody planning on purchasing this combination. I tried raising the voltage to 3.05, raising the latency, and switching slots... and it still crashed in games. Swapped it out for Kingston Value 2700 and it worked perfect.

This is good memory, but you may have problems if using an Nforce2 chipset(per Kingston tech support). Have RMAed mine back to Kingston, they are swapping for KHX2700K2/1G, two pieces of 512MB totaling up to 1G. I have an A7N8X and have had periodic reboots since installing the Hyperx ram.

bought 2. installed on my XXXXXXX computer and it started crashing like mad. called for rma. XXXXX was nice and asked me to test both so I don't waste time. 1 was stable and the other was culprit.

There is a mystery about this RAM because some love it and some have had no luck with it. I have had consistent BSOD at SPD settings on my Albatron 845PE mobo with WinXP. I cannot oc except with slowest timings. Thanks to other reviewers suggestions, I called Kingston tech support and I am reassured by their excellent service. They told me some revisions of this memory have problems with timing. They are sending me a new module via cross ship. If anyone has the same problem, my defective RAM revision is #9905193-018.A00.

Kingston returned my email about ASUS A7N8X Deluxe and this memory: "I'm sorry to inform you that your motherboard isn't able to support the HyperX modules. Especially its dual channel function mode. To take advantage of the dual channel function, you should use our KVR line. Best regards, Technical Support, Kingston Technology Company"

I couldn't get this ram to run stably at 5 2 2 2.0 at 166 FSB on an Epox 8RDA+ mainboard. I had to increase timings to 7 3 3 2.5 for it to run. With those settings I might as well have gotten cheapo RAM.

Bought two sticks. One was DOA and RMA. Waiting for its replacement. Other required a Bios memory volt increase. I'm still getting crash-to-desktops, but at least no more forced reboots.

I RMA'd two sticks of these back after my A7N8X (2500+ Barton)would keep booting back to Windows from BF1942 every 10 minutes. I put in Corsair CMX512-3200C-2 memory (two sticks) and have been running flawlessly with BF1942 for three hours now.

Need I go on?

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: garyttu
there any reviews that talk about HyperX vs. Corsair mem?

Real reasons to go with that...

My personal review is that i have some Hyper x 3200 that does 220 FSB 2/3/3/6..

Currently running 1700+@2.4ghz 11.5x 210 fsb..

😀

Hyper X is a good bet..

 

[bjc112]

This HyperX RAM + Abit BH7 = Incompatible. Just a warning for anybody planning on purchasing this combination. I tried raising the voltage to 3.05, raising the latency, and switching slots... and it still crashed in games. Swapped it out for Kingston Value 2700 and it worked perfect.

That is simply not true, i built a Abit BH7 with Hyper X 3500 ...

That 2.4b is sitting cool @ 3ghz...

😀

 

[Jeff7181]

I tend to base my purchasing decisions on the experience of people who've bought the same product and have similar hardware. Fact is, I see more complaints about HyperX than I do Corsair XMS. I'm not using Corsair XMS because I can't afford it... I'm using some PalmTreePC PC3200 stuff with Winbond BH-5 chips that I got from eBay. They're decent, 7-3-3-2.5 @ 200 Mhz is the lowest they'll go. I'm currently experimenting with the "tRas 11" theory... priming at 11-3-3-2 now... spontaneously rebooted at 11-2-2-2. Maybe when I get my new XP2500 I'll experiment with raising the FSB and keeping the RAM in sync.

 

[Lyfer]

Get some Crucial 256MB PC3200, from the reviews this stuff is overclocks better than the Corsair 3200C2.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: Lyfer
Get some Crucial 256MB PC3200, from the reviews this stuff is overclocks better than the Corsair 3200C2.

ah, seems kinda "iffy" to me...

I would rather place my money on Geil then Crucial's CL 3

 

[Mickey21]

I say, dump the whole thing and go Intel..... 😀

2.4C (good week)
Abit IC7 (or G)
Corsair TwinX (take your pick...)

Just my two cents, but to stay on topic....

Barton (Whatever)
Nforce2-400
Corsair (Whatever X2)

 

[SpideyCU]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I tend to base my purchasing decisions on the experience of people who've bought the same product and have similar hardware. Fact is, I see more complaints about HyperX than I do Corsair XMS. I'm not using Corsair XMS because I can't afford it... I'm using some PalmTreePC PC3200 stuff with Winbond BH-5 chips that I got from eBay. They're decent, 7-3-3-2.5 @ 200 Mhz is the lowest they'll go. I'm currently experimenting with the "tRas 11" theory... priming at 11-3-3-2 now... spontaneously rebooted at 11-2-2-2. Maybe when I get my new XP2500 I'll experiment with raising the FSB and keeping the RAM in sync.

While I'm certainly floored by the fact that you went through the trouble of getting all those quotes, I'm still unsure. I can hear you now:
"For cryin' out loud, what the hell more do you want?"

Well, the fact of the matter is that many people have no issues running this stuff at rated speeds, and beyond. Heck, look at bjc112 right there. I still suspect the classic "third variable" that people are overlooking, but hey, maybe it's just wishful thinking. Another thing to consider is that many more people are running HyperX than Corsair in the first place (mainly due to cost), so I'm not surprised to see more complaints about it.

Onto a slightly different topic, one thing in particular caught my eye in what you posted:

Kingston returned my email about ASUS A7N8X Deluxe and this memory: "I'm sorry to inform you that your motherboard isn't able to support the HyperX modules. Especially its dual channel function mode. To take advantage of the dual channel function, you should use our KVR line. Best regards, Technical Support, Kingston Technology Company"

WHAT!? KVR line, AFAIK, is their ValueRAM line. That stuff is what I went *from* when I got my HyperX - I even RMA'd my ValueRAM to make sure it wasn't just a fluke, but the new stuff wouldn't run at spec either. 4 sticks of 512 MB, none of them would run at 166 MHz even by themselves. If they're recommending that people go from HyperX down to ValueRAM, something is seriously screwed up with these folks...

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: bjc112

Originally posted by: Lyfer
Get some Crucial 256MB PC3200, from the reviews this stuff is overclocks better than the Corsair 3200C2.

ah, seems kinda "iffy" to me...

I would rather place my money on Geil then Crucial's CL 3

i guarentee that nobody will duplicate those results

 

[Jeff7181]

If they're recommending that people go from HyperX down to ValueRAM, something is seriously screwed up with these folks...

And THAT doesn't convince you that HyperX may not be the best choice?

*EDIT* Newegg reviews are to be taken with a grain of salt, since you don't even need to buy a single product from newegg to be able to post reviews on every product they carry... however... there's been posts here on the boards about HyperX compatability problems too... I was going to buy HyperX, but I decided, if I'm gonna go with something cheap, I may as well find something cheap that works. So I landed on PalmTreePC RAM from eBay... and it works exactly as stated... doesn't overclock too well, but at least it runs at it's rated speed and timings, even in dual channel mode.

 

[Necrolezbeast]

I have a HyperX pc3000 512mb running with my 8RDA+ and 1700+ @ 187fsb 2-2-2-5 (changing this due to the recent post about tras timing, just haven't had time to test yet). I have had it proven stable through prime95 and memtest @ 210fsb with same cas timings, but I get lower performance due to my processor being clocked lower...I can't get above 2063mhz so 210fsb wasn't a good set to get maximum performance... The problems I have heard with HyperX is with their pc3500 512mb sticks and in DCDDR...I also recently put XMS pc3200 cl2 in my friends machine and then mine to test and it doesn't run as well as my pc3000 HyperX does...so I think it is more luck of the draw than anything else

 

[Jeff7181]

so I think it is more luck of the draw than anything else

Could very well be... I think this is like the debate about what hard drive manufacturer is better... I'll never use a Maxtor again because I had 2 fail, and my friend had at least 3 fail in his RAID 0 arrays. Some people swear they'll never use Western Digital again... some don't like IBM, some don't like Seagate... I think it has a lot to do with how your past experience with similar products has been. For example... McAfee tech support sucks the big one... so I'll never ever buy another McAfee product for as long as I live, and I urge everyone else to avoid them too. But lots of people use McAfee products and don't have a problem.

 

[Dug]

Originally posted by: shady06

Originally posted by: bjc112

Originally posted by: Lyfer
Get some Crucial 256MB PC3200, from the reviews this stuff is overclocks better than the Corsair 3200C2.

ah, seems kinda "iffy" to me...

I would rather place my money on Geil then Crucial's CL 3

i guarentee that nobody will duplicate those results

Are you talking about the Crucial? If you are then you don't know what you are talking about as I have 2x256 3200 sticks and can duplicate those results.

 

[INemtsev]

Isn't OCZ good ram to use?