Need some advice please...

[SupermanCK]

Originally posted by: SaintGeorge
I'd really like to know the overclocking potential of a XP1800 with some serious cooling. I'm considering a Thermalright SLK-800 heat sink with a 84cmf 80mm x 80mm VantecTornado Fan on it, with 3 120mm Delta 78cmf case fans, all with a cost of almost $100.

Not to mean...hahaha...you are running a storm in your future system...maybe you want some ear plugs added to your cost...

 

[SaintGeorge]

Yeah I realise man the CPU Fan which is a Delta might I add not a Vantec Tornado as I wrongly stated, produced 55dba by itself let alone the 120mm fans. I'll be using headphones most of the time anyway though so things shouldn't be too bad. I really want to know how this system would do though, if I could get the XP1800 (1.57ghz) to 1.8 ghz (XP2200+ speeds) then 'i dbe happy cus the XP2200 outperforms a 2.4ghz P4 almost all of the time. Anyone know of someone know owns a system like this?

Thanks, Mark

 

[BuddyAtBzboyz]

Just one more thing to say really. A p4 1.6A at 2.4Ghz would beat a 2.53Ghz in many benchmarks due to the 150mhz fsb. If you can get it up to 2.8 it would beat pretty much any overclocked chip you could throw at it. Just my opinion though I haven't seen anyone try benchmarks on it yet.

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: SaintGeorge
Yeah I realise man the CPU Fan which is a Delta might I add not a Vantec Tornado as I wrongly stated, produced 55dba by itself let alone the 120mm fans. I'll be using headphones most of the time anyway though so things shouldn't be too bad. I really want to know how this system would do though, if I could get the XP1800 (1.57ghz) to 1.8 ghz (XP2200+ speeds) then 'i dbe happy cus the XP2200 outperforms a 2.4ghz P4 almost all of the time. Anyone know of someone know owns a system like this?

Thanks, Mark

Dude, that is going to be one freakin' loud system, headphones or no headphones. Also, there's a much greater risk of not hitting 2200+ on a 1800+ than there is of not hitting 2.4GHz on a 1.6A, especially if you get your CPU from newegg. And with a 1.6A, you won't need nearly as loud a system as you will if you OC a 1800+. In fact, I would go so far as to say that you could make a 1.6A system OC'd to 2.4 nearly silent. You can use the stock HS/F, and 2-3 quiet case fans. As for the "XP2200 outperforms a 2.4ghz P4 almost all of the time", in the XP2200+ review at AT, the P4 2.2A beats the XP2200+ in more than half the benchmarks, IIRC.

 

[SaintGeorge]

Yeah but I only really look at the gaming benchmarks, as I don't need speed for anything else I do on the computer. At Quake 3 the P4 has an advantage for some reason, and always has. But in newer games the XP2200+ beats a 2.4 most of the time. I still think i'm going to go for the Intel system, i've got about $30 to spend on fans and I don't care too much about noise. Also 256mb of Corsair XMS PC2700 is in my budget now and down for either system also, so RAM probably shouldn't be a problem. What case fans would you recommend for a total of $30? I can't find enough about ocing AMD XP systems atm, though there are some big successes, no one tends to say what cooling equipment their using which is a pain in the arse.

Thanks, Mark

 

[SaintGeorge]

I'm pretty sure im going to go for the Intel solution at the moment, theres just a much better chance of me getting a good oc out of it. I'm also looking into Mushkin Hi Perf Cas 2 PC2100 RAM, its meant to be supremely overclockable aparently, and i've seen good reviews for it, with the reviewers getting it up to DDR 400 speeds in fact at 2-3-3 timings. OCsystem RAM seems a good option too though, their PC3000 RAM isn't too expensive. So with PC3000 RAM its less liekly to be my RAM that limits my oc right?

Will a 400watt powersupply be ok you think? Still need some case fans advice too ahrg.

Thanks, Mark

 

[Mikki]

Darkranger, another cool thing about these and other forums is you see what the 'experts' are picking and why. There are so many success stories with the 1.6a's that they can't be ignored. I had the money for a 2.2B, but changed my mind when I saw what people were doing with the 1.6a's, and how a 1.6a @ 2.2 would thrash a 2.2B. Personally (and I've already explained how everyone's reasons are different), I just couldn't see how the AMD's were a better buy unless you were buying a system that you were not going to overclock AND you weren't going to upgrade for a couple years. From what I've seen in these threads and personally, I have no problem recommending Intel right now, but I do with AMD-->right now.

SaintGearge, I had my 1.6A @ 2.4 in a beat-up 4-year-old case with two fans (one intake/one exhaust), one of which was on it's last leg (barely moved!) and a stock hsf. My idle temp never went over 39c, no matter how hot is was in my room. I've upgraded my case since (only because I wanted a really nice case), and have four fans that came with the case (two intake/two exhaust) and the stock hsf. My temp is 38c. You're doing some good research for an AMD system, which is good cause it needs it. An Intel doesn't. I definitely could get my cpu temp down with an Alpha or whatever, but why? I'm using the money for other goodies .

So here's another thing to look at: buy an AMD, upgrade all your cooling and a good pair of earplugs, and get your good gaming scores. Or buy Intel for roughly the same price as all that, and get roughly the same scores (I know they might be a little different, but do you REALLY care about that small difference?). Again, I wish you good luck!!!

 

[SaintGeorge]

I'm pretty sure on my system now, XP overclocking isn't as well documented and is more hit and miss than with a Pentium 4 system aswell. Hnngg this is going to be hard on my poor wallet, I don't even own this much money yet, I still have to work my ass off in a damned kitchen for this you know I'll still have quite a bit of spending money though for other things when I go to the US is something twaddles my tweedle. I still don't know whether to buy a Epox 4G4A or a 4G4A+, any help please?? I'm really only interested in overclocking performance, and it must have sound too (I can't find anywhere that states the difference between the MB's).
Right, here goes:

Pentium 4 1.6ghz Northwood - $153
Epox 4G4A or 4G4A+ - $110 for 4G4A $126 for 4G4A+
256mb of Mushkin PC2100 Hi Performance RAM - $89
Maxtor 7200rpm 60gig Hard disk - $75
Gainward Geforce 4 Ti4200 128mb version - $170
Cheiftec case with 400w PSU from newegg - $50
Fans? - $30 I hope

Total - $677 or £432 aprox for me (with the Epox 4G4A not the "+")

Ouch oh well, I just hope airport customs lets me through with this lot on the return journey :\

*dies at though of having to post to UK through normal mail*

 

[CrazySaint]

The only difference between the 4G4A and the 4G4A+ is that the 4G4A+ has RAID and LAN. That's it. If you don't care about integrated RAID and LAN, get the 4G4A.

 

[Toymaker]

Don't worry about the power supply on a P4. The newer P4 motherboards also come with an alternate connection for a standard power supply connector for the processor. Now you can use so called non-P4 power supplies with a P4. I still suggest no less than a 300 watt power supply for either the AMD or P4. I have a P4 1.6A overclocked to 2.4GHZ, Asus P4S533, 1.56 vcore, stock HSF. I also have an XP2000+ overclocked to 1.79MHZ, Asus A7V333, 1.85 vcore, $45 copper HSF(Kingwin KCU-7025). You need to make sure that you have steady airflow through your case with the AMDs. If you buy a generic case with basic airflow, eventually you'll experience lockups. Two 80mm fans, one in and one out the back plus your power supply fans should work fine. The stock P4 will work fine with basic airflow. But, if you plan to overclock the 1.6A to it's max, you should have more than just basic airflow. On both processors, in order for the heatsinks/fans to work properly, hot air can't stagnate inside your case. The AMDs are a little more sensitive to this though. I personally prefer the P4s. But the prices of the mid to upper level P4s are very unreasonable. But right now the 1.6As and 1.8As are relative bargains because of their extreme overclockability and affordable price. On the other hand, the Athlons are all within my price range. And, I can get a top of the line processor for a reasonable price initially. Just my long drawn out $.02 cents.

 

[Darkranger]

SaintGeorge Good luck with the system, looks like a sound choice and a much quieter one to...
P.S.
How about taking orders for your trip to the states, could save me a few quid Just kidding....

Mikki Thanks for that and all the advise, I'm 100% sure it's Intel for me, probably a 2.26b maxed out

Cheers

Neil.

 

[SaintGeorge]

Hehe i'd like to but if i'm already carrying an entire case with almost a whole computer inside it through customs lol in my hand luggage its gonna have to be to. Hopefully security will let me through and the X-Ray machine won't destory my computer. I know it can wipe the memory of digital cameras, anyone know if theres anything that will be damaged b X-Rayins in a typical computer?

I've ordered the Hi Performance PC2100 256mb Cas 2, 2-2-2- timed RAM from Mushkin now, i've seen 3 reviews an all were able to get to at least 185mhz on 2-2-2 timings which is pretty cool . Only $89 shipped from mushkins site they gotta deal on right now.

I've found a site with a massive deal on fans and they've got a 9.56 rating on resellerratings.com, i'm going to order 6 fans for a laugh lol at $1 each they're a bargain. 3 intake and 3 outtake, all about 40 cmf I think and not too loud either. Maybe 8 or 10 fans would be even funnier.

What type of connection should I go for with them, 3 or 4 pin? Anyone know how many 3 pin connection points there is on an Epox 4G4A?

Thanks for all your help, Mark

 

[Darkranger]

Looks like a good deal on the RAM, from what i've heard Mushkin is very good quality and highly overclocking friendly...

For the fans (also a very good deal) i'd go for the 3 pin. In the past i've used coolermaster fans and they came with 3pin to 4 pin converter if you needed it. (at $1 each though i doubt you will get a converter)
The Epox probably has 3 fan headers, this seems to be the norm (don't know for sure) but i've only seen the ABIT IT7 with more (5).

Have fun in the states, hope your purchases go to plan.....

Neil.

 

[BuddyAtBzboyz]

Heck I thought I got my fans cheap when I got them for $4 Anyways keep us informed on the build and by all means if you do run into any problems feel free to ask.