Time To Upgrade: Need Advice ... UPDATE: Here's What I Got!

[Dan]

I can't resist. I'm going to hit the Computer Show in Pomona tomorrow and scratch my upgrade itch. As always, I'll go with an OEM AMD chip. So, here's what I have in mind:

CPU: I want a T-Bird with the best overclocking potential and the best dollar value. (Don't we all? :confused What are the odds that a 1.2GHz chip will overclock to the same upper limit as a 1.3GHz chip? Are there any significant advantages to a 266MHz FS over 200MHz? What markings, steppings, etc. should I be looking for when I examine the CPU?

Mobo: I was leaning toward the KK266 but after reading a dirth of post here I've concluded that may not be the way to go. Here's my requirements:

• I currently use an Abit KT7 board and I like the ability to adjust the CPU multiplier and FSB in the bios rather than with jumpers.
  I plan to stick with SDRAM for now.
  I don't need (or really want) onboard audio.

HSF: Taisol is the current front-runner. What are the other contenders? Cooling ability rather than a quiet fan is my primary concern.

As an aside this will go in my modded Enlight 7237 with a 300Watt power supply. I'll keep my other components, e.g., HDD, CD-ROM & burner, GeForce2 MX, SoundBlaster Live, etc. I'll lose the ATA/100 I/O card and, depending on the mobo, finally concede the demise of ISA and give up my faithful USR v.90 modem.

 

[Smoke]

I was just about to write a post identical to this...so I guess I'll just subscribe.

 

[Smoke]

bump

 

[Swanny]

You want a T-bird with the AYHJA stepping. They are getting to 1.6 or even 1.7Ghz with air cooling. This comes in some 1.3s and all 1.4s. I'd get a 266FSB because it will give you more bandwidth to the CPU and it doesn't cost much or any more than 200. Even if your RAM won't do PC133, the CPU will back down to 200.

I actually still would go for the KK266-R. What post are you speaking of?

And the Swiftech MC-462a is the current best HSF available, but it's around $70. The TaiSol is also a good sink, but not as good. Make sure you get the TaiSol with the copper bottom. Its model number starts with 76, while its aluminum cousin starts 74.

Hope that helped you a bit
Swan

 

[Smoke]

Grandson, you are everywhere.

 

[Swanny]

Hey, when you're young and nimble like me you can move around a lot! LOL

 

[Smoke]

Well, I feel much older after this post.

How about that Swanny?

 

[Dan]

swanny: Thanks for the input. I'm not sure I want to spend the extra bucks for a 1.4GHz T-Bird. And I certainly won't if I can expect to hit the same overclock "ceiling" with a 1.33GHz. As for mobo's, the post that got me thinking about other board was this one.

I rethought the wisdom of sticking with my SDRAM. I'll upgrade to 512MB of DDRAM and sell the 768MB of SDRAM I have to offset the cost. As for HSF's, it sounds like the Taisol is still the way to go. (Thanks for the tip about Model 76 with the copper bottom. That's exactly the type of insight I'm looking for.)

 

[MTDEW]

You want the Taisol CGK760092 to be exact.
It has the copper insert.
It seems theres not much debate about the Swiftech MC-462a being superior if you don't care about price, but a well respected forum member (compuwiz1) suggests the Taisol as a great alternative & I trust someone who's OC'ed more cpu's then I've ever seen.
So I'm going Taisol also.

Like SmokeBall, I subscribed to this thread cuz I'm looking into building an Athlon system also.

I'm leaning towards the Epox 8K7A as my mobo choice & Crucial PC2100 DDR ram.

I was seriously considering the 1.4ghz with the AYHJA stepping, but it seems that not everyone is getting them over 1.5(stable) enough to justify the higher price over a 1.33ghz. (as you mentioned earlier)

And your question about a 1.2 & 1.3 chip hitting the same overclock "ceiling" is a valid one, it seems 1.4ghz is common on both of these chips.
So I was thinking the same thing about best performance/cost ratio. (tough decision)

 

[Dan]

MTDEW: Thanks for the response. It seems as if there are a few of us with the same questions in mind. I had a good experience with an EPoX mobo in the past, so I'm not opposed to them. What are your reasons for chosing the 8K7A or an Iwill (or other board)?

 

[Cherub]

People are blowing a lot of ignorant smoke about the potential of the AYHJA stepping. You read nothing but guesses based on rumors based on predictions. Even the people selling them, who have the most to gain from hyping them, are saying they are not the great overclockers the rumors suggest. A few chips being cooled with large peltiers and watercooling are doing well, but not much better than some 1GHz and 1.2GHz with the same setups.

The best values are still the EPoX 8KTA3 and 1GHz AXIA chips.

 

[AmazonRasta]

People are blowing a lot of ignorant smoke about the potential of the AYHJA stepping. You read nothing but guesses based on rumors based on predictions.

It's not necessarily "igornant smoke" or rumors that you're hearing. Bigfoot Computers have tested their AYHJA Thunderbirds @ 1.333MHz and said, "These puppies have been getting 1.6Ghz in our tests and the same has been seen online..."

Other sites have also reported an average overclock to 1.550GHz.

 

[Jik47]

Hey Swanny, you are so right with that ME quote you had on your rig page. I put in my system and it would not run and when I took it out and restored to my original settings, it left bits and pieces of it in my machine. It took a few months of problems building and then I had to reformat before the big meltdown. I am in a MIS program at Texas A&M, Texarkana campus and my professor said same as you,98SE is a very good system. Also could you share with me info on your Asus board? I am thinking about getting a 1Ghz.266 Athlon and want a good stable board with no problems and weighing between a Asus and a Epox. I would appreciate any comments on the Athlon and the board. Thanks and have a nice day..... I forgot I also have some Klipsch Pro V2.400's and they are the BEST!!!

 

[Smoke]

My two cents on WindowsMe. I had similar problems trying to UPGRADE. I finally gave that idea up and did a complete HD reformat and installed WindowsMe from scratch. That worked perfectly.

One of the best things about ME is it reboots so fast. Helps when you have to reboot to clear up any problems.

 

[Jik47]

I saw a thread from someone named Cherub and he was talking about the EPox 8kTA3 being the best value on a board and a AXIA chip. I would like to know the difference between the above board and the EPox EP-8K7A if you or anybody could tell me please. And what is an 1 Gig AXIA chip that Cherub also had posted? Sorry I am new to this and trying to learn. I take also that everybody is happy with the Athlon processor?

 

[Swanny]

Jik47: Yeah, I haven't bothered uninstalling ME because I figured it would probably just screw the system up more I have no complaints about it. It is also really nice because the BOIS flashing program they have allows you to flash the BOIS right from windows.

And no, that newest stepping isn't very well proven. If I were you I'd go with a 1.33 too. I don't know too much about DDR boards, so I can't pass any advise there.

The TaiSol CGK760092 is the one I was thinking of. I can just never remember the whole number

 

[Dan]

Any other thought, suggestions, recommendations, etc. before I make the drive to Pomona?

 

[Dan]

Just spent a long day driving, wheeling and dealing but here's what I ended up with:

CPU: T-Bird 1.33GHz, 266FSB, AYHJA, Week 19 Stepping. Got it for $165 + tax at the show.

Mobo: EPoX 8KTA3+. Got it for $139 + tax at Fry's. (I know... I would have done better ordering from newegg but no one at the Show had one and I didn't want to wait.)

HSF: Couldn't find the Taisol anywhere so I'll order one from 2cooltek. In the meantime I have a Cooler Master DP5-6H11 and a Volcano II on hand so I'll use one of those. Does anyone have any thoughts as to which one is better?

 

[AMDPwred]

Looks like you made out pretty well from the show

 

[MTDEW]

Jik47,
The AKTA3+ supports PC133 SDRAM & uses the Via Apollo KT133a chipset and has raid. (the non + version/AKTA3 doesnt have raid I believe, dont quote me on that)

And the 8K7A supports DDR SDRAM ram & uses the AMD 761 + VIA686B chipset.
I was leaning toward this particular mobo cuz I dont need raid(theres a + version if you do) & the BIG FACTOR, The front-side bus can be changed from 100 ? 166 MHz in 1 MHz increments

Both support AGP 1X, 2x & 4X.

But as I said, I havent decided yet.

The Gigabyte 7DXR AMD 760 looks to be a good choice to add to those listed here too.
This motherboard is based around the AMD 761 northbridge chipset and the VIA 686B southbridge also.
3 DDR SDRAM slots.
As you can probably tell, I like this mobo also.

Picking a mobo is almost a difficult as picking a cpu, it can really make a difference in you OC'ing & stability.

I'd suggest searching for reviews & searching this forum to see what other OC'ers think.

But Ive gotta warn ya, all that ever seems to do for me is add more potentially great mobos to my list & just makes the decision harder.

DAN, Nice price on the 1.33 Tbird, I just got back from our local show in PA a couple of hrs ago.
They wanted $239.00 for the 1.4ghz & $180.00 for the 1.33ghz.
I decided to wait until I decided on a mobo 1st.

 

[Swanny]

Dan, I don't think they sell the TaiSol at 2cooltek. They do have the Alpha PAL6035 which a very good cooler. Look at plycon.com for the TaiSol. And in the mean time I'd use the Volcano II.

Swan