Need help deciding

[P2Mc28]

This is my first post here, so I hope I got it in the right forum. If not, I'd apprecieate if someone could move it accordingly.

I'm getting DFI's LanParty Pro875b board, but I'm having a little trouble finalizing exactly what else I'm going to stick on it. I've been eying some OCZ EL DDR500 along with a Pentium 4 2.4c because of their overclocking potential. I've done a lot of research, because a) I want to get good parts, and b) I'm a geek who likes reading about this stuff.

One big questiong I have is with the CPU; should I stick with the 2.4c, or go a bit further? I can get a 2.6c for several bucks more, but my goal is overclocking. Would the 2.6 go further? I see articles all the time about how people got their 2.4 to hit 3.2+GHz, but I can't recall any such success stories from a 2.6 oc'er.

Also, there are two very similar sticks of RAM, and I don't know which to get. There's the "OCZ Enhanced Latency Dual Channel ... DDR500," which I've read oc's very will with my LanParty board, but for $5 more, there's another pair of sticks that have "Extended Volt Protection," and have a support voltage of 2.75 instead of the 2.8 the other sticks need. Or perhaps I should go with something else altogether? Let me know what you guys think.

Any input would be most appreciated.


Oh, one more thing: What PSU should I get? I don't know anything about those, other than the fact that I should aim high for my goals.

 

[myocardia]

1)I would buy the 2.4C, since they seem to have a much higher OCing success rate up to the higher fsb's, which is what you seem to be trying to achieve. Since the 2.6's have a higher multiplier, some of them can attain as high of a frequency, but with less performance, since they have a higher multi, and are forced to use lower fsb's at the same clock speed. 2)That OCZ is supposed to be very good ram. Also, all DDR ram can handle at least 2.8v, no problem. Quite a few people run theirs well over 2.8v. Oh, and since you didn't tell us what this "other" ram is, how are we supposed to tell you if it's good for overclocking or not? 3)You should probably look into either getting an Antec TruePower, or a Zalman power supply. Most of us around here use the TruePower's with very good results. The 550watt TruePower is really nice. It even gives you the ability to adjust the voltage for each rail, individually. I personally bought a TruePower because it was so much cheaper than a Zalman, but the few people that I've seen who have a Zalman have no problems with them, either.

 

[P2Mc28]

Thank you very much for your input. It seems I'm getting better at selecting parts.

And on the "other" stick of ram, it's apparently identical to the OCZ. They're both OCZ EL ... DDR500, it's just the $5 more one has "extended volt protection," and functions .05 volts lower. Should I go for that one? Would it really make a difference in terms of OC ability? I doubt the additional .05 volts would really be a problem heat-wise, but I worry that whatever makes it require less power would cause it to overclock less.

 

[Peter D]

Yea, get the 2.4C, if you can score an SL6Z3 then you'll likely hit around ~3.2+GHz. As for the RAM, OCZ DDR500 sounds like a good choice. I think the regular stuff without that "Extended Voltage Protection" shiznit would be fine, OCZ RAM can usually take some pretty high voltages. If you wanna do really high FSB overclocking, there's also OCZ Gold Finally, the PSU. If you have to pay a little extra for a quality one, do it. Get an Antec or Enermax or something like that, you won't regret it. Welcome to the Forums by the way!

 

[JustStarting]

What processor you get, and what FSB you are trying to achieve really determines the type of RAM you will need to meet your goals.

A). 2.4c highly OC'ed (275+FSB)- you will need/want good Low latency DDR- PC3200/3500 5/6-2-2-2 rated timings. To reach 275+ fsb you will likely have to enable the 5:4 divider, and lower rated speeds DDR modules (with good timings) are all that is required. If the FSB is 275 or so, then @ 5:4 the memory is only running 220mhz.

3200/12= 266 FSB (hard to get good timings with memory up here- either lax timings 1:1 or tight at 5:4)
3400/12= 283 FSB (you'll definitely need 5:4 up here- so get some tight PC3200/3500 modules- BH-5's)

The OCZ DDR500EL is rated 7-4-4-2.5- I would not get these modules for this type of combo. Get the lower rated PC3200/3500 that will run 5/6-2-2-2.

Get it??

b). 3.0c or so that OC's well- you may need higher speed rated DDR modules- PC4000/4200, as you will most likely not need to use a 5:4 divider to OC. Some decent 3.0's will hit 3.6- 3.7g+ without a sweat on stock cooling.

3600/15= 240 FSB
3700/15= 250 FSB

You should get higher speed rated memory, rated to run tight timings up here. Best timings you will get up here are likely 6/7-3-3-2.5. Not quite as good as the 5/6-2-2-2 timings on setup (A).

I personally am running a 3.0c @ 3.6g at 1:1 (240FSB). My memory timings are not great- 7-4-4-2.5, but overall I'm happy as my Sandra scores are 5800/5900.

Good luck on whatever you decide. There are many options to choose from.

 

[P2Mc28]

Thanks a ton, Startin'. I never fully understood the dividers until you explained them just now.

Thanks to everyone's input, here's what is now on my list of things to get:

DFI LanParty Pro875b (Already purchased)
Pentium 2.4c (Crosses fingers in hopes for a good one)
OCZ EL DDR400 2-2-3-5
Antec True550

And some Arctic Silver to boot . . .


Thanks a bunch guys.

 

[JustStarting]

Originally posted by: P2Mc28
OCZ EL DDR400 2-2-3-5.

Not really sure about the memory choice?? Get a proven clocker on the FS forum instead of crossing your fingers. It will save you time and money.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: JustStarting

Originally posted by: P2Mc28
OCZ EL DDR400 2-2-3-5.

Not really sure about the memory choice?? Get a proven clocker on the FS forum instead of crossing your fingers. It will save you time and money.

Hey, why not just spring for some Mushkin PC3200 or PC3500, since he's spending a fortune on everything else? Although, I hear the Corsair XMS & LL's regularly hit 220 at 2-2-2-5 (or 11, in an AMD rig). I wouldn't recommend buying used computer parts, especially memory. Think about it, anyone who has PC3200 that will do 2-2-2-5 that's still working correctly, has a need for keeping it, not a need for selling it.

edit: I meant 2-3-3-6 for the Corsair's timings at 220mhz and above.

 

[P2Mc28]

Originally posted by: JustStarting

Originally posted by: P2Mc28
OCZ EL DDR400 2-2-3-5.

Not really sure about the memory choice?? Get a proven clocker on the FS forum instead of crossing your fingers. It will save you time and money.

Well you said get some PC3200 or 3500 with tighter timings. Plus, just because one module OC's well in one system doesn't always mean the same for the next. Plus I like new stuff. lol


But seriously though. You guys confused me now. Here's what I know:
1) OCZ has a good overclocking reputation
Crosiar has a good reputaion period
Mushkin has good RAM (don't know much about'em . . . yet)

2) My goal is to hit 3.2GHz, so using 5/4, I want some RAM that can hit 220 whilist having tight timings.


OK here's a senario. Let's say I get these Corsair XMS LL modules (not really much in the name of PC3500, eh? Found these, though), or similar Mushkin or whatever. Would I be able to both tighten the latancy down to 2-2-2-6 and hit the 220+MHz mark?

Originally posted by: myocardia
Hey, why not just spring for some Mushkin PC3200 or PC3500, since he's spending a fortune on everything else?

lol, am I really spend a fourtune? At least I'm not getting a P4EE and an ATi 9800XT! lol . . . on second thought . . . lol

 

[P2Mc28]

Oops, double post