Value C2D o/c upgrade

[nullpointerus]

I'm upgrading from my present X2-4200/PC3200 rig (in sig) to a C2D setup because of the cheap DDR2 prices and my HD2900XT. I would like to keep costs down and yet keep very good overclocking. My case airflow is very good w/ a 25cm intake fan and 2x12cm exhaust fans, so I just need components that will overclock well in this environment.

Here is what I have put together so far:

Intel Core 2 Duo E4400
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro

From what I understand this CPU will have a 10x multiplier, so overclocking should be less dependent on the RAM. I'm not looking to spend a huge amount on RAM anyway. Basically, whatever 4 GB total allows my CPU to hit at least 3 GHz will be fine, and anything more that is not too much more expensive would be worth considering, too.

Here is what I have found:

OCZ Gold PC2-6400 (2 x 1 GB)
-or-
G.Skill PC2-6400 (2 x 2 GB)
-or-
Mushkin PC2-6400 (2 x 2 GB)

If there are any issues related to memory/oc on the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R, I'd also be grateful if you would point those out to me.


Thanks in advance!

 

[PCTC2]

might i suggest for $30 more the Gigabyte P35C-DS3R. It has both DDR2 and DDR3 slots so it has a better upgrade track. Other than that, I'm not sure.
But if you run 3.0GHz, then you're running 300*10, which with DDR2-800 at stock, you'll be running a 3:4 FSBRAM divider which is fine.

 

[drakore]

No issues that I am aware of. Do you really need 4 GB of ram? If so go with the Mushkin PC2-6400. If not take a look at the Crucial Ballistix PC2-6400 which are on sale right now on newegg and mwave.com

 

[nullpointerus]

Whoa! I'm glad I checked out the Hot Deals forum today.

$64 for 4 GB PC2-5300 after 4 pcs. rebate

So if I understand you correctly, PC2-5300 will run at 300x10 (or up to 333x10) without overclocking the RAM?

BTW, there were about 970 pcs. of that RAM left in stock when I ordered.

Also BTW, Buy.com has the Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC2-6400 (2 x 1GB) you were talking about for $109 w/ free shipping.

 

[nullpointerus]

Hmm...the $14 "open box" Arctic Freezer 7 cooler I wanted is now OOS.

I'm open to suggestions for a decent, s775, overclocking cooler. I have a "typical" tower case with a 12cm exhaust fan behind the CPU, so a heatpipe tower should be the most efficient cooler design. Price is the problem, though. This is a budget build, so I would like to keep the price down around $40 for the cooler, or up to $65 for a really good cooler.

Thanks in advance!

 

[MarcVenice]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835154001

theres the best aircooler out there, or at least top tier with 2-3 others, for less then 65$. Will enable you to hit 3ghz no problem heatwise, your mobo should be good for 3ghz or more too, and the ram as well, but cpu's are always a little unpredictable

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835109140

that's the extreme version from thermalright, just under 65$ I definately think it's worth the extra 20 or 25 bucks over a ac7 pro, which isn't a bad cooler, this is just the best out there, and will let you OC farther, and saver. For 65$ extra you could also buy a stock cpu at higher speeds though, and OC it slightly with the stock cooler With a low rpm 120mm fan it will be realy quiet too though.

 

[nullpointerus]

Thanks!

Your second link does not work, BTW, but I assume you meant the Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme.

I'm worried about clearance in this case as this 25cm side case fan is thick from what I remember.

Unless there are some other suggestions, I will likely get either the Tuniq Tower 120 or the Zalman CNPS9500/9700.

 

[MarcVenice]

go Tuniq ! works now btw, and yeah, it was the thermalright ultra-120.

what I like about the tuniq is that you can buy a really silent low rpm fan with it, and it will cool really good, and make even less noise then a zalmann

 

[nullpointerus]

Thanks, I will get the Tuniq.

Here's a funny review (at least, one would hope):

This thing makes me cry tears of joy.
Reviewed By: giblaz on 6/28/2007

Tech Level: high - Ownership: 1 week to 1 month
Pros: WOW, this thing is so good at cooling, you could put it on top of an active volcano and cool it to stable levels.
Cons: If you're holding it straight in front of you and you turn around too fast, you may accidentally strike and kill someone like I did.
Other Thoughts: Buy it. It saved my life, it can save yours too.