Looking for a good p4 underclocking board.

[Buickbeast]

Just finished setting up my HTPC and found out that my used Abit IC7 Max3 doesn't go below stock voltage for the cpu. I'm using a 3.2c and looking to leave it at 3.2ghz with the least amount of voltage so I can remove my exhaust fan and maybe 7volt my stealth fan.

Anyone have a recommendation on a board? Most reviews don't go over how low the voltage adjustments are.

Thanks guys!

 

[3chordcharlie]

You won't be able to lower temps enough to start doing away with fans, especially not on a P4 (or desktop Athlon) system. You can however invest in some low-noise fans for less than the cost of replacing a motherboard.

You could *maybe* underclock the processor to 533fsb, and keep HT enabled, but it would lose a lot of processing power. That should lower temps significantly though if that's all you want to do.

 

[Buickbeast]

thanks for the reply. I have all silent fans but just wanting to run quieter. I know it can be done as one person on silentpcreview has a passively cooled p4 running with ~1.2v and a large duct.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: Buickbeast
thanks for the reply. I have all silent fans but just wanting to run quieter. I know it can be done as one person on silentpcreview has a passively cooled p4 running with ~1.2v and a large duct.

I'd really worry about it being stable at that voltage; 3.2 isn't a slow chip!

I know what you mean about noise; I'm almost ready to buy a VIA if it means my computer will STFU. I hate fans!!!

 

[Buickbeast]

well, as of now, the 3.2 is disappointing me It's stuttering on my HD files that my $50 1700+ @ 2.2ghz played fine. I guess my only real choice is a mobile a64.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: Buickbeast
well, as of now, the 3.2 is disappointing me It's stuttering on my HD files that my $50 1700+ @ 2.2ghz played fine. I guess my only real choice is a mobile a64.

That's almost certainly a setup problem; a 3.2 P4 shouldn't be 'stuttering' on anything.

Check DMA settings, and I guess I should ask what kind of PSU you have, and how much other stuff is in the system. How much RAM? (esp. compared to the previous system)

 

[RalfHutter]

Undervolting your CPU by .2-.4V can easily drop your max load temp by 10°C. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of P4 boards that let you undervolt.

Go to SilentPCReview. They've covered this issue fairly well and even have a list of undervoltable mobos on their main site. There's also been extensive discussion about this in their forums. Search the site for "undervolt AND P4*" and you should get lots of hits.

 

[Buickbeast]

Originally posted by: RalfHutter
Undervolting your CPU by .2-.4V can easily drop your max load temp by 10°C. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of P4 boards that let you undervolt.

Go to SilentPCReview. They've covered this issue fairly well and even have a list of undervoltable mobos on their main site. There's also been extensive discussion about this in their forums. Search the site for "undervolt AND P4*" and you should get lots of hits.

Thanks, I'm looking now.