Newbie Overclocker

[PacoD]

I have a 4 year old system. I would like to get into overclocking but i'm not sure if I should on my current system. I have a Gigabyte GA-8IR533 Mobo (Socket 478, FSB 400 Mhz, 3x 184 pin DDR DIMMs, Supports up to 2GB of DDR 200/266 memory), with a Intel P4 2.0 GHz CPU, 512 RAM, and a NVidia GeForce FX 5200 (APG). I would probably get a new PC in the next 2-3 years depending on my gaming needs. Right now this PC does everything I need...mostly sure the net and play some games. I have found that some of the newer games in the last year (ie GUN) are a little choppy. I would like to experiment with overclocking on this current system. What do you guys think. I am a total newbie when it comes to this stuff so would you guys recommend this? Thanks

 

[elite6]

Yeah well that AGP* 5200 is a bottleneck. You should consider getting a 7800GS, 6800GT, X800 series AGP card, but not an AGP X1600. As for the processor, get the thermaltake big typhoon and overclock your proc to 2.5. I do not know how you have your ram setup, but I suggest getting 2x1GB sticks.

If your budget allows it, wait for AM2 from AMD, or conroe from intel and jump on those platforms.

If overclocking is ur only options, get coolbits for your vid card(google it) and see how well it overclocks. And try overlclocking your proc and see how high it goes without overheating. Overclock in small increments from the BIOS. Google pentium 4 overclocking..im sure some good guides exist.

Well hf and good luck!

 

[PacoD]

I've been told in other areas of the forum that getting a better vid card wont help with my cpu...it would be better to upgrade my cpu first...what are your thoughts? The RAM is 1 stick of 512/266...I was considering getting a 1 GB corsair value kit (2x512)...is this OK?

 

[Ika]

As for memory, just get another 512/266 stick, since memory doesn't really bottleneck a system. Your CPU right now is better than your graphics card; you could try overclocking it some for basic applications but for gaming, you're probably going to need to get a new graphics card.