Need opinion on build.

[Boreas]

http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cf...o=CA4830994#%20%20%203.3%20GA-965P-DS3]Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 3.3[/url]
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231088]G.Skill 1 GB DDR2 800 @ 4-4-4-12 Timings. [/url]
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=E4300]E4300 OEM[/url]
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=FAN-AC7PRO]AC Freezer 7 Pro[/url]

Now the question is whether I should get the e4400 or stick with the e4300. The objective with this build is to set up a nice overclock for the CPU. I also choose that cooler because I wanted something better than stock but not expensive. I also know I should get 2 GB instead of 1, but I will upgrade later.

So what is your opinion on this build, should I go-ahead and place these parts for order or is there something that I should change?

 

[AnotherGuy]

U can get ur DS3 Mobo rev 3.3 from ewiz instead to save some money... from specs it seems like its the rev 3.3 ( notice the new audio version and the fsb 1333

Keep in mind while not totally 100% confirmed we might see the new P35 motherboards coming out May 21st. Those will support both the e4300 and Penryn while the ds3 probably n most likely not

 

[yacoub]

Well the E4400 just gives you one more option since it's a 10x multiplier and the c2ds are only unlocked downward, so the E4300 (9x default) cannot be pushed to 10x, but the E4400 can always be lowered to 9x to match the multiplier of the E4300 (and both can be lowered to 8x, 7x, and 6x). I would select the E4400 just because it gives a bit more flexibility that way.

 

[Zardnok]

What OC are you looking to hit?? Your memory is rated at 400 with tight timings, SO... 9X400Ghz= 3.6 (maybe possible, but really high for a 4300) while 10X400=4.0Ghz (extremely doubtful with a 4400). I see no reason to buy the 4400, unless you were going with cheaper RAM.

You would do better to spend the extra money on better cooling or more memory or perhaps even a 6320/6420. You should be able to OC your memory up to 500ish for a 6320 OC of 7X500=3.5Ghz or a 6420 OC of 8X500=4.0Ghz, but I doubt you would hit those levels without more cooling.

 

[yacoub]

Originally posted by: Zardnok
What OC are you looking to hit?? Your memory is rated at 400 with tight timings, SO... 9X400Ghz= 3.6 (maybe possible, but really high for a 4300) while 10X400=4.0Ghz (extremely doubtful with a 4400). I see no reason to buy the 4400, unless you were going with cheaper RAM.

You're not thinking of other possible scenarios. What if his RAM on that board can only do 300 MHz with its stated lowest timings. Then he could keep those lowest timings by not going over 300 fsb and still get 3.0GHz with the E4400 where as with the E4300 he'd be limited to 2.7GHz.

 

[The-Noid]

p35 boards come out Monday-Tuesday

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Yoxxy
p35 boards come out Monday-Tuesday

I keep saying it but I'll say it again...

1) low stock for a while is almost guaranteed
2) overpriced boards based on popularity and stock availability is almost guaranteed

I'm guessing that this release will be like the P965 release initially

 

[Boreas]

Im just looking for a decent overclock, nothing specific but the higher I can go the better. Im a poor ole' college student so id like to get as much bang for the buck as possible.

Im not going to get the p35 boards because of reasons stated by the previous poster, and ive already waited a long time to start building my new machine, so to wait longer = forgetit! And ive already budgeted for this BOM, so if theres going to be any change in parts it should be within price.

So I suppose that the e4400 is as good of an overclocker as its predecessor correct? If so then ill switch over to that one. Is there any place I can get it OEM so I dont have to pay extra for the stock heat sink?

 

[Zardnok]

Originally posted by: yacoub

Originally posted by: Zardnok
What OC are you looking to hit?? Your memory is rated at 400 with tight timings, SO... 9X400Ghz= 3.6 (maybe possible, but really high for a 4300) while 10X400=4.0Ghz (extremely doubtful with a 4400). I see no reason to buy the 4400, unless you were going with cheaper RAM.

You're not thinking of other possible scenarios. What if his RAM on that board can only do 300 MHz with its stated lowest timings. Then he could keep those lowest timings by not going over 300 fsb and still get 3.0GHz with the E4400 where as with the E4300 he'd be limited to 2.7GHz.

I don't understand why G-Skill, a reputable company, RAM would only do 300 MHZ on a DS-3 board. The RAM is rated 4-4-4-12 at 400. Why would it not do at least the 400 it is rated as?

 

[Cheex]

The chip will reach its limit before any of the other components. As with any overclock, that is the way it should be. Nothing should be holding your processor back. You should have everything else optimal and max out your chip.

 

[The-Noid]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: Yoxxy
p35 boards come out Monday-Tuesday

I keep saying it but I'll say it again...

1) low stock for a while is almost guaranteed
2) overpriced boards based on popularity and stock availability is almost guaranteed

I'm guessing that this release will be like the P965 release initially

Stock is not low. The board is not that overpriced with p5k-deluxe coming out at $224 compared to $190 for the p5b deluxe right now. If you have a hot case you are going to want the p35 board for sure. You can't believe how cold these boards run.

 

[Boreas]

$200+ for a mobo is out of my range.

How far can people OC the 4400? So far ive only read that it can go into the 3.2 range despite that the 4300 can go higher. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[yacoub]

Originally posted by: Zardnok

Originally posted by: yacoub

Originally posted by: Zardnok
What OC are you looking to hit?? Your memory is rated at 400 with tight timings, SO... 9X400Ghz= 3.6 (maybe possible, but really high for a 4300) while 10X400=4.0Ghz (extremely doubtful with a 4400). I see no reason to buy the 4400, unless you were going with cheaper RAM.

You're not thinking of other possible scenarios. What if his RAM on that board can only do 300 MHz with its stated lowest timings. Then he could keep those lowest timings by not going over 300 fsb and still get 3.0GHz with the E4400 where as with the E4300 he'd be limited to 2.7GHz.

I don't understand why G-Skill, a reputable company, RAM would only do 300 MHZ on a DS-3 board. The RAM is rated 4-4-4-12 at 400. Why would it not do at least the 400 it is rated as?

dude, hypothetical situation. point was just to show that E4400 gives you one more option but yeah most likely you'll hit CPU limit before anything else, especially on a DS3.

 

[Boreas]

What about a 4xxx vs a 6420?

 

[yacoub]

2MB more cache and a higher default fsb / strap setting. Depends on if that's worth the extra $$ to you.

 

[perdomot]

My e4400 is going at 3Ghz with 1.4vcore with no problems. I've only tested with 1.4 but I get errors if I go any higher so I'm thinking of testing with less vcore and keeping the 3Ghz OC. From what I've seen, using higher vcore to get to 3.2-3.4Ghz doesn't produce enough of an increase to justify the extra heat.

BTW, you can get the mobo here at a better price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128042

 

[perdomot]

Here is something just out today on OCing an e4400:
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=642&p=0

 

[yuppiejr]

Originally posted by: AnotherGuy
U can get ur DS3 Mobo rev 3.3 from ewiz instead to save some money... from specs it seems like its the rev 3.3 ( notice the new audio version and the fsb 1333

Keep in mind while not totally 100% confirmed we might see the new P35 motherboards coming out May 21st. Those will support both the e4300 and Penryn while the ds3 probably n most likely not

Do NOT make the mistake I did and assume that the product specs on EWiz are correct. I ordered what I thought was going to be a DS3 v 3.3 board and got a 2.0 board (with the F10 BIOS at least). I can confirm that the e4300 works fine in the DS3 2.0 and 3.3 versions with the F10 BIOS.

In my Vista Premium MCE box I'm currently overclocking my e4300 on the DS3 2.0 to a conservative 2.4 ghz using a 400 mhz FSB x 6 with DDR2/800 RAM and it purrs like a kitten. I did install a 60mm fan on the NB since the Freezer 7 doesn't push any air across the northbridge which was blazing hot since I was obviously O/Cing the crap out of it.

The 9x multi of the e4300 is more than adequate with most of the Allendale's capping out in the 2.8-3.2 gig range for overclocking. For an extra $25 I just don't see the benefit of the e4400 versus the e4300 unless you have a serious FSB limit, which the DS3 does not.


OP - if you want the best bang for your buck, here's the config I'd pick:

Gigabyte P965-DS3 v 1.3 for $99 shipped at Newegg. Same features as the DS3 v 3.3, -2 fan connectors and an on board audio-codec change that has no significant real-world value for a $30 savings.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128042

Two gigs is the only way to go, I don't care how "tight" the timings are - 2 gigs of RAM at the same rated clockspeed with looser timings will still beat the pants off 1 gig in pretty much everything you do. Go with the 2-gig G.Skill DDR2/800 (5-5-5-15, known to do 4-4-4-12 without much trouble @ 800 though) kit for $89 shipped also at Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

..and of course the retail e4300 for $114.50 shipped, also from Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115013

.. so for $302.50 you get into the C2D game with a highly overclockable setup including the 2 gigs of RAM you wanted. See how far you can go with the stock cooler and then decide if you need to go aftermarket cooling. There are serious advantages to the "top-down" airflow design of the Intel cooler (particularly in pushing air to the Northbridge) versus towers like the Freezer 7. Notice in the cited Legion Hardware overclocking article that they used the stock cooler all the way to 3 gigs and the load temp still didn't exceed 50c...

As an owner of two Freezer 7's in two DS3 mainboards I would NOT choose this heatsink again simply because it provides no secondary airflow to the mainboard components and runs louder than expected under load due to the close spacing of the radiator fins. While it's a highly efficient way to cool the CPU you are going to also need at least one additional fan on the NB to make up for the lack of direct airflow that the Intel OEM and other top-down coolers will provide.

If I had it to do over again, I'd go with Gigabyte P965 rev 1.3 DS3's versus the 2.0/3.3 models, I just don't see the benefit of the $30 extra in two fan headers and a slightly upgraded audio codec. Instead of $130 for the DS3 3.3 I would look at the DFI Infinity P965S for $140 since you get tangible upgrades like the ICH8r southbridge, firewire, better power regulation and a more robust overclocking BIOS. I'd also avoid the Freezer 7 and either stick with the stock cooler or go with a top-down 120mm fan based aftermarket cooler like this one:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/scansama6hep.html

 

[perdomot]

I'm using the S3 mobo from Gigabyte and according to this, the only difference is the network controller:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/ga-965p-s3_2.html

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Yoxxy

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: Yoxxy
p35 boards come out Monday-Tuesday

I keep saying it but I'll say it again...

1) low stock for a while is almost guaranteed
2) overpriced boards based on popularity and stock availability is almost guaranteed

I'm guessing that this release will be like the P965 release initially

Stock is not low. The board is not that overpriced with p5k-deluxe coming out at $224 compared to $190 for the p5b deluxe right now. If you have a hot case you are going to want the p35 board for sure. You can't believe how cold these boards run.

over $200 for any mobo is overpriced IMO. Why spend that when you can get a 650 SLI board for under $150 and they overclock extremely well. Even a DFI Infinity P965 is less than $200 and it overclocks like crazy too.

I only got my P5B Deluxe because the DS3 had serious problems when I bought this back in October, and there was no other viable option available. Today I would not spend more than $160 for any mobo. They will all max out your CPU regardless.

That's how I feel about it.

 

[yuppiejr]

If the OP is looking to get the most performance for the least money in a C2D overclocking system, the Gigabyte P965-DS3 ver 1.3 at Newegg for $99 shipped paired with a e4300 and one of the various sub $100, 2 gig ddr2/800 kits is untouchable from a value perspective. The board will easily run a 400 mhz FSB which means he'll hit the CPU's wall long before his mainboard becomes a limiting factor. Unless there is a feature he needs that's absent on the DS3 it would be pissing money away to dump more cash into the mainboard for this BUDGET ("poor ole college student") build.

 

[MustangSVT]

any other good boards that's maybe closer to $50?

 

[yuppiejr]

There are no free lunches, under $99 you are looking at an older chipset and nowhere near the overclocking options, but there are certainly boards that will get you by:

The Asrock 4CoreDual-VSTA seems to do some modest overclocking and is $60 plus freight:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157107

Any of the cheap 945gz chipset boards out there will support a 266 FSB and DDR/533 RAM. Assuming the BIOS supports it you SHOULD be able to pop in a 4300, set the FSB to 266 and get right to 2.4 ghz (2.66 ghz with a e4400) without too much trouble. Not exactly a screaming overclock, but that's in e6600 territory so not a terrible option.

This GIGABYTE GA-945GZM-S2 board looks like a good example for $55:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128033

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: MustangSVT
any other good boards that's maybe closer to $50?

If you need to go that low, you should consider going with AMD.

 

[yuppiejr]

You can get an Athlon 64 X2 3600+ retail and a Biostar Tforce 550 board for around $150 shipped at eWiz and overclock into the 2.4 - 2.8 ghz neighborhood. Or you could go with the C2D e4300 and one of the two cheapie boards above for $170-180 and hit 2.4 - 3 ghz which will still kick the snot out of the overclocked AM2 which is 20% slower on a clock for clock basis. I have nothing personal against AMD but their current offerings are simply outclassed by everything in the Intel C2D lineup.