Newbie with 2.4C OC questions. Recommendations?

[skaboom]

I'm a newbie to both this forum and building a custom machine. Anyway, I'm looking to build a new Intel box, and like all newbies, I have a few questions that I hope you guys can take some time to answer. Any help/info is highly appreciated.

1) I plan on getting a 2.4C P4 and overclocking it at 1:1 to around 3.0GHz (250MHz FSB)... so I guess the first thing I should ask is if most 2.4C P4s will handle the 250MHz FSB? I know I have read that the P4's OC ability varies; and since I will be buying online from newegg, I can't really look at the batch specs and I don't plan on returning/sending things back and forth until I get the perfect one. I'll most likely stick with the first 2.4C I recieve. So is it likely that most 2.4C's can handle a 250FSB? (Or is it more dependent on a combination of your RAM, MB, etc?) Will the stock Intel HSF handle that speed? or should I opt for a Zalman cooler.

2) If most 2.4C's will handle the 250FSB, should I spring for some RAM rated for DDR500 (like the new OCZ PC-4000)? or will most quality PC-3500 or PC-3700 RAM handle DDR500 speeds? Is there any downside to me spending the extra cash for the PC-4000 RAM and running it at a lower speed (incase the 2.4C will not OC to the 250FSB)? Will the slower timing really make a big difference? Or should I just stick to PC-3700 for better timings incase I can't OC that high?

3) For my motherboard, I'm trying to decide between the Asus P4C800-E DLX or the Asus P4P800 DLX. Will the P4C800-E be more OC friendly for me over the P4P800? Any recommendations for the RAM / MB combo?

BTW: I'll be mainly using my machine for Image / Video editting (need stability), so gaming is not really crucial to me, although I would at least like to have the option to dip into a little gaming in the future. I wanna keep my rig at around $1200 US.

Here's what I'm currently thinking about ordering...

Case: Cheiftec AX-01BLD Black
PSU : Antec True480W
MoBo: Asus P4C800-E DLX or P4P800 DLX
Proc: Intel P4 2.4C 800FSB HT with Stock HSF (Plan to OC to 3GHz)
RAM : OCZ DDR 512MB (2x256MB) PC-4000/DDR500 OCZ500512ELDC-K CL3-4-4-8
Vid : ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
HDD1: WD Raptor 36GB SATA
HDD2: WD Special Edition WD1200JB 120GB PATA
CDRW: Plextor PX-W4824TA/SW-BL

Any recommendations or changes you think I should make?

Thanks.

 

[sman789]

search "2.4C" in this forum....so many topics

please read the async thread, if it changes you, you can get pc3200 and get a way better video card
and if you can get a cheaper psu you can get a larger 2nd HDD or if you have the loot run raid with the almighty raptors

 

[oldfart]

Welcome to Anandtech!

Dont waste your $$ on PC4000. The lousy 3-4-4-8 timings should be a clue on that. If you want to run 250 Mhz FSB, you are better off running a 5:4 ratio, DDR 400 with fast timings. It will be just as fast or faster in real world apps and cost less $$. Get some good PC3200 - 3500 like Kingston HyperX or Corsair XMS.

 

[drewdogg808]

although those are nice boards, if you're serious about overclocking, consider the ic-7.

 

[sman789]

Originally posted by: drewdogg808
although those are nice boards, if you're serious about overclocking, consider the ic-7.

very good choice, i wonder why

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: sman789

Originally posted by: drewdogg808
although those are nice boards, if you're serious about overclocking, consider the ic-7.

very good choice, i wonder why

if for sure you are going to stop at 1:1 250 fsb then yeah i think the ic7 should do you fine...

but if you decide to go higher than 255 1:1 then you're in trouble cuz the ic7 has a bug that prevents it from going behind 255

 

[boshuter]

but if you decide to go higher than 255 1:1 then you're in trouble cuz the ic7 has a bug that prevents it from going behind 255

i'd sure be interested in where you got that info........... i'm really not sure what you are saying? do you mean the IC7 won't go over 255fsb? or just won't do it at 1:1???

 

[sman789]

Originally posted by: boshuter

but if you decide to go higher than 255 1:1 then you're in trouble cuz the ic7 has a bug that prevents it from going behind 255

i'd sure be interested in where you got that info........... i'm really not sure what you are saying? do you mean the IC7 won't go over 255fsb? or just won't do it at 1:1???

theres a bug it cant go over 255 1:1
its all over the abit forums