Upgraded Rig Question

[JaggedEj]

Currently have a
Antec SL 350 + 12v, 16 A
Geforce 6800 OC from BFG - AGP

Plan to upgrade to Venice 3000+, Neo2 Platinum Mobo(has AGP slot and decently OCable),mushkin value ram(2x512)

I'd like to do some Overclocking.

Do i need a new PSU? If so, any recommendations for one for a good value, i refuse to spend alot on my PSU.
Stock heatsink/fan ok for 3000? What about with OC?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JaggedEj]

bump

 

[Fern]

Although it looks a bit weak (16amps), if it were me I'd first use the existing PSU. I'd keep an eye on the voltage rails and vcore and to look for flucuations.

If it looked OK and didn't seem to be adversly affecting my OC just keep til you do need to upgrade.

Now I must give the obligatory "don't skimp on the PSU" speech because it's just too important a component.

Fern

 

[JaggedEj]

What kind of fluctuations would be cause for concern? Do i run risk of destroying items? or just instability during overclocking.

If i found my current PSU insufficient, what's a recommendation for a moderately priced psu?
Fortron 400w?

my vid card is agp which i believe takes less power.. correct?

 

[eXx08]

I think theres a fortron goin for $50 at newegg, i think it's 450watt

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Originally posted by: thekillerjks
I think theres a fortron goin for $50 at newegg, i think it's 450watt

Yup, there's a 450W Fortron @ Newegg for $50 with dual +12V rails and 18A on each rail.

To the OP: I'd look into the ASRock AGP/PCIe interchangable Socket 939 motherboard with the ULi chipset. Anandtech has a review of it on the front page. You'll be able to use your current AGP card, and then you can upgrade to a future PCIe card in the future.

 

[JaggedEj]

Thanks. I think i'll go for the AsRock and the Fortron. They seems like good values for what they offer.

Both should give me some reasonable room to overclock my 3000+ Venice.

I don't suppose anyone has opinions on the best ram to go with the setup? mushkin/corsair/ocz?

i assume it won't really matter, but perhaps someone else knows one is more compatible.


Thanks again for the input

 

[Pabster]

Just use some Value RAM.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: JaggedEj
What kind of fluctuations would be cause for concern? Do i run risk of destroying items? or just instability during overclocking.

If i found my current PSU insufficient, what's a recommendation for a moderately priced psu?
Fortron 400w?

my vid card is agp which i believe takes less power.. correct?

Your voltage rails should not dip below (or above) 5% of spec. Ex. 12v should not go below 11.4. However that would prolly inhibit the OC.

I don't believe an underpowered PSU would cause HW failure (unless it blew taking out parts). However, resulting instability could corrupt the OS etc.

Fortrons are very good, but get something with more amps on the 12v rail than you now have. How much depends on your planned upgrade components, especially gfx card. One of the problems with cheaper PSU's is they overstate amps. There are no standards for ratings as I understand it. They could put their PSU in a freezer and demonstate high amps when at ambient temps you get much less

Fern

 

[love2skate824]

dude that fortron has dual 18a 12v rails, for a total of 36a on the 12v rail

 

[Aquila76]

Originally posted by: JaggedEj
Thanks. I think i'll go for the AsRock and the Fortron. They seems like good values for what they offer.

Both should give me some reasonable room to overclock my 3000+ Venice.

I don't suppose anyone has opinions on the best ram to go with the setup? mushkin/corsair/ocz?

i assume it won't really matter, but perhaps someone else knows one is more compatible.


Thanks again for the input

Anand's reviews have consistently shown the OCZ Platinum EL Rev 2. to be an outstanding performer. That's my recommendation. I'm using it in my rig and had a stable OC to 245x11 at 2-2-2-7-1T. If I had a better mobo, it would probably go higher.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: love2skate824
dude that fortron has dual 18a 12v rails, for a total of 36a on the 12v rail

Yep, I used poor phrasing. I'm trying to point out the significance of the 12v/amps. There are some 450 watt units which have the bulk of the power of the 5v rail (instead of the 12v).

Also, watch out for the pin count on the ATX connector 20 vs 24. Since that Fortron's has dual rails it's likely a 24 pinner. Since he hasn't posted mobo spec's can't ell what it requires.

Fern