Need recommendations for overclocked Barton system

[Caminetto]

Putting together an AMD Athlon XP 2500 "Barton" system that I plan to overclock and I need some advice and information.
Since the system will be near the living area it will need it to be somewhat quiet, but I want to keep things cool too. What kind of heatsink and fans are available for for my purpose and what are you guys using? What will work in my Antec "plus1080AMG" case?
Planned to use Buffalo PC-3200 memory purchased from newegg and see that it has a Cas Latency of 2.5. Also see some other memory with a good brand name at newegg and crucial but has Cas Latency of 3. What specific RAM would you guys recommend here, and where do you buy?
Looking at the Asus A7N8X Deluxe motherboard as I read that it has superior onboard sound, but was considering the ABit NF7S V2 also. What do you think?
Additionally:
I have seen the advantage of a 7200 HD over a 5400, so can I assume that if I go to a 10000 Raptor I will be much happier for the extra money? Opinions from Raptor users?
Was also planning to "splurge" on a video card. I like the ATI RADEON 9800PRO but wonder, since I am not a big gamer, if moving to a lesser card would be a better option?

Alot of questions, but I would appreciate the help.

 

[fleflikr]

thermalright 900a with 92mm panflo fan is sheer art! and very quiet

ram..........corsair xms 3200 cas2 (newegg.com)

both motherboards are excellant

raptor is nice but 7200 rpm hd/8mb cache is plenty sufficient

ati 9800 pro is tops but very expensive........you can cut the price in half and get an excellant vcard (specailly if youre not into gaming)

 

[myocardia]

I say, if you aren't a gamer, a 9600pro is the fastest card you should buy. Although, for just a little more, you can get a 9800non-pro or a 5900non-pro, which will be faster, should you ever decide to start gaming. That would allow you to get some Corsair XMS memory with the difference. Also, more people reach a higher fsb with the Abit NF7-S, than with the Asus A7N8X Deluxe, though neither has any problems hitting 200fsb. And, I also think you'd be plenty happy with a 120GB, 8MB cache drive. The Raptors are very fast, but who wants a drive with only 36GB? I say if you're going to buy a Raptor, then you should get 2, and run them at RAID level 0. That would make a noticeable difference, although it would completely negate the savings from the video card.

 

[Caminetto]

Thanks much guys. I am putting together a wish list system at newegg largely based on your recommends. Still undecided on video card, may go to fleabay for a 9600 or 9700 pro.

 

[MrCodeDude]

Don't listen to these guys, Corsair XMS is over-rated. Anything with a Winbond BH-5 chip will perform fine. If you insist on getting "overclocker" RAM, get the Kingston HyperX PC3200 (2x256MB)

Abit NF7-S v2.0 has more overclocking options but not as many features as the A7N8X Deluxe (such as the superb onboard sound, etc.).

Can't give you a good opinion on the HD problem, but if you're not a gamer, a 9600 Non-Pro should suit you fine and those are in the ~$100 range.

 

[bjc112]

I think a 9700 NP would be a good buy, and at a good price...

Don't fear the Epox 8rda3 for a nice price.. Great overclocking potential.

The buffalo should serve you well @ at least 215. (2.8v)

Good Luck.

 

[rms]

Abit NF7-S v2.0 has more overclocking options but not as many features as the A7N8X Deluxe (such as the superb onboard sound, etc.).

False. Both boards have the identical Soundstorm chipset. The Asus has an additional coaxial (I believe) output, I think a 2nd NIC, and a gameport. The Abit has heatsink boltholes, which greatly increases heatsink options, higher voltage options.

Both would be fine for running a 2500+ at 3200+. It depends how far you expect to overclock.

rms

 

[SuperStrokey]

Aeroflow 1 or 2, NF7-s or 8rda+, OCz pc3500, 9600 pro, maxtor 80 gig HD (quiet version)

 

[Elcs]

Quote

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: Elcs
If I was making another 32-Bit AMD system, I wouldnt hesitate to buy another NF7-S Rev 2.0.
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I generally dont put my faith in reviews but in the general consensus on multiple forums. From what Ive heard, the NF7-S Rev 2.0 generally is the superior overclocker and correct me if Im wrong, but the ASUS had its Soundstorm certification revoked. Ive heard many people say that the sound quality from the ABIT is superior to the ASUS. I can vouch for the ABIT having great sound quality.

I recommend a Panaflo L1A 92mm fan sitting atop an SLK-900A. Keeps my 1700+ overclocked to 210x10.5 @ 1.71V on my ABIT NF7-S Rev 2.0 (1.75V setting in the bios). Never seen the temperature rise above 45C under load.

 

[fleflikr]

nf7 has a bit more control for ocing (especaily in voltage control) but you wont be left wanting with the asus in this department.
have to give soundstorm 2 thumbs up for my asus board.
again, two quality boards

 

[adams828]

Originally posted by: Elcs
Quote

I recommend a Panaflo L1A 92mm fan sitting atop an SLK-900A. Keeps my 1700+ overclocked to 210x10.5 @ 1.71V on my ABIT NF7-S Rev 2.0 (1.75V setting in the bios). Never seen the temperature rise above 45C under load.

that should give you good cooling..

i'd say go with a 7200 rpm drive over the raptor if you want to keep on the quieter side of things

 

[MrCodeDude]

Originally posted by: SuperStrokey
Aeroflow 1 or 2, NF7-s or 8rda+, OCz pc3500, 9600 pro, maxtor 80 gig HD (quiet version)

8RDA+ is out-dated, but it's only $50 and still good.

I'd still go for the Abit NF7-S for $99 for the better OCing options over the $88 8RDA3+

 

[Caminetto]

<FONT color=#000000>Not wanting the RAM to be the weak link in an overclock, I may go for the Kingston HyperX DDR PC-3200. Is there a listing somewhere of Winbond BH-5 chip memory?
Also, it looks like the stock case and PS fans on the Antec "plus1080AMG" case are 30 dBA, if not I will replace with panaflo 80mm's and hope that it is enough cooling.
Further, I just might go the ATI RADEON 9800PRO route since my nephew's 3 boys like to use my computer for gaming and I just may get into a few games myself. Notice that the 9600 & 9700 Pro's are going for $200 and better (used) at fleabay.
Very pleased to hear that the sound is good on the Abit NF7-S.
Appreciate all the help.
</FONT>

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: fleflikr
nf7 has a bit more control for ocing (especaily in voltage control) but you wont be left wanting with the asus in this department.
have to give soundstorm 2 thumbs up for my asus board.
again, two quality boards

If you use the A7N8X Uber BIOS, you get even more control of the voltage and it allows you to modify the chipset BIOS.

With the new Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe, you also get Gigabit LAN as well as some other things I can't recall off the top of my head.