Overclocking/building new systems... been out of the game for a long time, need advice!

[Phokus]

Hey guys... it's been 3 or 4 years since i've built my own system and i'm rusty. Haven't really been following the Intel/AMD offerings over the past few years. Which processor/platform do you suggest for the ultimate bang for your buck in terms of O/C'ing?

I've just read anandtech's article about the intel core duo 4300

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2903

That seems promising, but how does it compare to the other CPU's in terms of performance/overclockability/value?

My system will mainly be for high-end gaming.

Thanks guys!

 

[jpeyton]

E4300
Scythe Ninja or Tuniq Tower
Biostar TForce965
DDR2 667
Geforce 8800 GTS

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
E4300
Scythe Ninja or Tuniq Tower
Biostar TForce965
DDR2 667
Geforce 8800 GTS

thanks for the tip (i assume this is your config? )

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Phokus

Originally posted by: jpeyton
E4300
Scythe Ninja or Tuniq Tower
Biostar TForce965
DDR2 667
Geforce 8800 GTS

thanks for the tip (i assume this is your config? )

No, I don't game. That's the best bang-for-the-buck config right now for high-end gaming.

E4300 with a good air cooler will do 3GHz without a problem (9x333). Cheap DDR2 667 will do 1:1 with a 333MHz FSB at stock. The Biostar is a good enough board to hit 500FSB (if you ever need that capability in the future). And the 8800 series clobbers ATi right now for high-end gaming.

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Phokus

Originally posted by: jpeyton
E4300
Scythe Ninja or Tuniq Tower
Biostar TForce965
DDR2 667
Geforce 8800 GTS

thanks for the tip (i assume this is your config? )

No, I don't game. That's the best bang-for-the-buck config right now for high-end gaming.

E4300 with a good air cooler will do 3GHz without a problem (9x333). Cheap DDR2 667 will do 1:1 with a 333MHz FSB at stock. The Biostar is a good enough board to hit 500FSB (if you ever need that capability in the future). And the 8800 series clobbers ATi right now for high-end gaming.

Thanks for the explanation

 

[tcG]

Jpeyton's recommendations are always right on the mark.

With memory prices having been dropped so drastically over the past month, the memory market is a hectic place. That being said, something like this, which will hit DDR2 900, offers a theoretical overclock of 4050MHz (DDR2 900 / 2 = 450 * 9). Obviously, the limiting factor in a build like this will be the natural limits of the silicon, rather than crappy component selection.

 

[nyker96]

I second jpeyton's build as well. excellent for what you doing, that allows also a 3Ghz OC on 4300+ if you do 1:1 on RAM that is.

just one comment, if you only doing 3ghz or below I think you can use retail cooler that come with CPU but in any case the two HSF he suggested will keep it even cooler.

 

[ikonzero]

thanks a bunch for this info...

any tips on how much power this type of build would need? I'd like a case and psu for under $100 if possible... but scouring the internet is driving me crazy

thanks again!

 

[tcG]

This build wouldn't require much in the power supply department if it wasn't for that 8800GTS. That being said, I would get the Enhance ENP-5150GH 500W (likely the best power supply under $100), and take advantage of this deal.