Overclocking my AMD XP 2000+

[blacktankofhopelessness]

I'm in the process of upgrading certain components in my system to prepare for certain upcoming games like Half-life 2. The system I have now is this:

ASUS A7V8X M/B
AMD XP 2000+
512 MB PC2700 333mhz RAM
GeForce Ti4200

I'm definately getting a Radeon 9800 Pro hoping to flash it to an XT. The next part is to push my CPU a bit through o/c. I've heard that my current M/B won't support heavy overclocking since it lacks a AGP/PCI Bus master frequency lock so I'm in the market for a new M/B as well. The one that seems most appealing, and the one that people have recommended, is the ABIT NF7-S. Am I right in thinking this is the most suitable o/c board out there for my 2000+?

Another question: Is there a particular brand of 9800 Pro I should choose for easy o/c, I'm thinking heatsinks and that sort of thing, and is there a big difference between the 350 and 360 core?

 

[blacktankofhopelessness]

If I was to try and OC without changing the M/B, do I run the risk of damaging any of my PCI or AGP devices? Or will a too high FSB just cause them to not function at that particular setting?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

 

[CraigRT]

Id be willing to bet since your CPU is a palomino that you won't get more than 2200+ speeds from it.
have you considered getting a 2500 or 2600 for cheap and overclocking that? those CPU's will overclock much more, and give you more power even at stock speeds anyways. that would be my recommendation :thumbsup:
and yes, the NF7S paired with a Barton CPU, would be killer compared to what you've got now.

 

[blacktankofhopelessness]

I have considered that, but on my current budget I won't be able to get all of those components (vid card, CPU, M/B) so I guess I'll try and OC my 2000+ to see what speeds I can get on my current M/B. But once more, do I run the risk of damaging PCI or AGP components when OC on a board without a PCI/AGP bus master lock?

 

[funboy6942]

I would reccomend getting what I got. A asus A7N8X E Deluxe. I have my 2500+ barton running at 3200+ speeds at default volts. If I bump the volts and muliplier to 1.75 and 11.5 I hit 2300mhz past 3200+ speeds. I would reccomend getting that board and then when you budget will allow you get a barton cpu. I think u can get the board for $65ish on newegg and I found my cpu of all places on ebay for $65 shipped. I have a radeon 9800pro matched with all of this and it is just fast as hello.
Hope this helps and BTW the board will allow you to up the fsb on the cpu leaving all others at stock. Im new at this myself and I have been having a blast so good luck to you.

 

[blacktankofhopelessness]

I'm probably going for the NF7-S anyway, it's cheaper here in Sweden compared to the A7N8X. Those are some fantastic speeds you've got there though!!! Thanks for all the pointers guys!

I would still like to know it it's safe to raise the FSB on my board considering the lack of a freq lock...