Second-timer needs some advice

[walla]

I plan on throwing together a computer here in the next few weeks (my second time) and am going to do things a bit differently. Here's the setup so far...

CPU: Athlon XP 2100+
Mobo: GA-7VRXP
Mem : Crucial Micron PC2100 256MB x 2
SndC: Soundblaster Audigy Xgamer (or Santa Cruz...undecided)
Vid : GeForce Ti 4600 (possibly 4400)
HD : Western Digital 800JB 80gig
Case : Evercase looking good
Monit: already have
Speak: already have
CD/DVD: something Lite-on
PSU : ?
Cooling : ?

I think I want to overclock this thing, but haven't ever done that before. I know I need to take cooling into account, and perhaps power supply issues (?). When I buily my fisrt system a year ago, it was an Pentium 1700 system running stock everything. I did not even add extra fans, and there didn't seem to be any heat issues. But I am under the impression that AMD processors run a bit hotter on average.

What I'd like to know is - what is essential for consideration (and purchase) when OC'ing an XP2100+? Are there any good guides out there regarding OC'ing? Advice? Paste/fan recommendations? Price is not restrictive, but i'd like to keep it sensible.

Thanks!!

 

[murphy55d]

You'll want to use Arctic Silver 3 and for a HSF...the Thermalright AX-7 has gotten a good response.

I have the cheap Evercase from NewEgg.. it is the midtower, cost like 40 bucks or so, came with a PSU. I'm using that PSU with the system in my sig. No issues, although I don't overclock my processor. You might want something a little more powerful, maybe an Antec 400W or so. (you can buy that evercase w/o a PSU also for a bit less).

 

[Gyrene]

If you're going to overclock an XP, I strongly reccomend that you use water-cooling. I use the Epox 8K3A+ Mobo, found that it works really well for OCin. Artic Silver III is a must. And the one step you must do to get any result whatsoever is Unlocking Your Athlon. If you can jump your XP up to 2.1 GHz, you'll leave all those Pentium users in your trail (note: I'm not biased toward AMD, I love Pentiums...but all you unbiased people out there know it's true.)

 

[walla]

Water cooler - ahhh, don't think I trust myself or my computer skills enough to stick water in it Really, I just want to OC it a bit (100-200 mHz), just to say I did it, and to see how it affects performance and things like that. I don't need to break records or go hardcore performance wise.

I've heard a lot about arctic 3. When I built the P4 system last year, the processor (retail box) came with thermal paste. What would the big difference between something Intel/AMD provides next to Arctic 3, for example?

How about intake/outtake fans? I think I read that the EverCase has a side fan. Any good source of info on this? Like i said before, the pentium system I built last year had no outtake (maybe an intake that came with the case) and the CPU temp nover got much higher than 100F. No OC'ing, though.

 

[walla]

AMD XP need to be 'unlocked' to be overclocked? Is this really something that someone with no OC'ing experience (or computer hardware mod'ing for that matter) should try?

Shows you how clueless I am.

 

[murphy55d]

Originally posted by: walla
AMD XP need to be 'unlocked' to be overclocked? Is this really something that someone with no OC'ing experience (or computer hardware mod'ing for that matter) should try?

Shows you how clueless I am.

I've never tried it, but I'm not sure trying it for the first time on your brand new 2100+ is a wise idea.

 

[Gyrene]

Yes, Athlons must be unlocked, the only flaw to their endless and supreme power . It's not too difficult to unlock them. Just read the guide and make sure you don't mess up .

 

[walla]

--Never Mind--

 

[walla]

I've just read at PC STATS NETWORK that OC'ing the XP2100 is a bit more difficult than the simple gap fill / bridge connect method described above. Involves using engraving tools to muck with the L10 bridges so it mimicks a <XP2100 CPU. Too much for me.

So should I just go stock speed on an XP2100 or go to the XP2000 and OC using the simpler method? I'd really like to try OC'ing a processor (with conventional, cheap tools), but I don't want to take obscene risks since I'm new at it. Any advice MUCH appreciated.

 

[murphy55d]

I'd just go with the stock 2100+. What app could you possibly run that would require more anyway? I know you wanted to OC but really, upping the FSB to get an extra 75-100-150 mhz isn't all that thrilling, especially when you're already at 1.8 ghz or whatever a 2100+ is, you'll never know the difference.

 

[Gyrene]

I'd just go with the stock 2100+. What app could you possibly run that would require more anyway?

More is always better, even if it is just 1 MHz . But seriously, if you're new to ocin, don't start on an Athlon...the 1.6a is the king of overclockers and gives you a lot of leeway. So if you really want to OC that badly, go with the P4 1.6A.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
I'd just go with the stock 2100+. What app could you possibly run that would require more anyway? I know you wanted to OC but really, upping the FSB to get an extra 75-100-150 mhz isn't all that thrilling, especially when you're already at 1.8 ghz or whatever a 2100+ is, you'll never know the difference.

I would agree with that statement.