What is the 300a + ABit BH6 of today?

[ander]

I remember back when I picked up my 300a and OC'ed it to 450 on an ABit BH6...I still have that combo, but it's time to move up.

Looks like I'm going to get to build a new computer, so I'm looking into the basics now. My only real decision is going to be the board and chip...any suggestions? Bang for the buck? I'd like to keep the cost fairly low, I don't need to fly, but it'd be nice.

 

[Shaorinor]

Cheap and overclockable = Athlon XP series w/ Iwill XP333-R in my opinion.

Another good overclocker that is a bit expensive would be the Abit KR7A (Raid up to you).

I'm an Athlon man myself, but I've heard good success stories with the new Northwood chips for Intel. They seem to overclock pretty well from what I've seen.

 

[Budman]

1.6a P4 + P4B266-C or P4S333.

2.133mhz is easy with that combo & some even do 2.4ghz.

 

[MasterHoss]

The AthlonXP processors generally ARE NOT known to OC well. Go with what Budman said.

 

[Ziptar]

I agree with Budman, the 1.6 Northwood is the closest thing to the next 300A, they are consistantly getting 50% overclocks with stock cooling. That is tough to beat. Many are getting close to 75% (my 300A could do 527!) the next best thing is the 600E.


I thought about going the o/c northwood route but, I REALLY like having a dual cpu rig, so for me it's Dual Durons for now..

 

[ander]

Anyone have any rough pricing ideas on that combo? The northwood...unless it's ultra expensive, it sounds like the most bang for the least buck.

 

[LarryJoe]

Your talking about $300 for the chip, an Asus or Abit mobo and some decent RAM. This is for an i845/DDR rig. An i850/RDRAM rig will run you only a few dollars more and will be faster.

EDIT - you are going to need a new powersupply as well for the P4.

 

[Radboy]

$134 at Newegg .. that's about how much I paid for my C300a.

 

[ander]

Excellent, that looks good to me.
Any difference/preference between the P4B266-C or P4S333? There's about a $30 price difference, the latter being less expensive.

So it looks like for about $300 for board and chip, $60 for a case and PS, and another few bucks for 512k of ram...I'll be running a real nice 2.4ghz machine. Sweet.

 

[LarryJoe]

The P4B266-C is based on the Intel i845 chipset and the P4S333 is based on a SiS Chipset. IMO, I would go for the proven/compatable Intel chipset. I have heard decent things about the SiS chipset, but I wouldn't be cheap and try to save a measley $30 on the most inportant part of your new rig - the MOBO.

 

[ander]

Looks like the P4S333 also includes onboard sound/network...which I'm not a big fan of...just like TVs with built-in VCRs.

Here's a breakdown of the new parts I'm looking into along with prices, if anyone can find a better price for any part, please let me know. I'd also be interested in used equipment at a discount.

New Equipment
Asus P4B266-C - $107+$10.95 http://www.computerbrain.com/
Intel P4 1.6GHZ Socket 478 - $118+$8.80 http://www.runtimecc.com/pricewatch
ThermalTake CPU Fan - $10.95 http://www.runtimecc.com/pricewatch
RAM 512MB PC2100 DDR - $116+$12.95 http://www.neutronUSA.com/
Micro ATX Case 400W - $17+$22 http://www.electroseller.com/
Total = $423.65

Old Equipment
SAF 8X CD-R
Toshiba DVD
GeForce 2 GTS
Sound Blaster awe 64
SMC Network
WD 45 Gig + WD 80 Gig


Looks like this could be a pretty fat computer for $425

 

[Scootin159]

<< RAM 512MB PC2100 DDR - $116+$12.95 http://www.neutronUSA.com/ >>



I HIGHLY doubt it costs $12.95 to ship 1 stick of RAM (maybe if you want same-day delivery or something). I would check a few other vendors.

 

[Auric]

ander, Word. Mebby too fat for the case.

I was considering an Asus P4 mATX recently but learned the o'erclocking features were absent from the BIOS.

 

[ander]

Yeah, that's something to look into. Hoping for some hot deals to pop up the next few days.

 

[Budman]

Just be sure you order the 1.6A with 512cache not the other, you want the northwood.

 

[LarryJoe]

Have you considered an i850/RDRAM configuration?

 

[ander]

I'll consider it if it's less expensive.

I honestly don't need this much power, I think it's affordable, but I should consider my less expensive options as well. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Auric]

The SiS chipset saves a bunch and an MSI instead of Asus saves a lot though the MSI lacks the voltage options they may not be required with just a 1.6A.

I decided to wait until April or March when the new stuff comes out with 533 FSB, USB 2.0, and the inevitable fixes such as to the wacky temp sensors.

 

[brxndxn]

Ander... DUDE.. Go with the Athlon XP..

Yea.. XP's don't always overclock like 50%.. but that's not always the way to the most bang for your buck.. Iwill's are made to overclock.. Go with the 333 and you could get DDRAM and probby up the bus to 400mhz easily.. Just unlock the multiplier and lower it a bit..

 

[ander]

Any exact chip/combos I should look into?

It's finals week here, and I don't have the opportunity to learn as much as I wish I could...I kinda just need to know my few best options and then run with one.

 

[smp]

I'm an AMD man myself .. GET THE 1.6A FOR CHRISSAKES!!!!

If I was getting a new rig it would definately be northwood.

 

[DCFife]

<< Just be sure you order the 1.6A with 512cache not the other, you want the northwood. >>



Ander, make sure of what Budman said....the CPU you priced at www.runtimecc.com IS a Willamette, NOT the 1.6A Northwood!

Dave

 

[EdipisReks]

i'm an AMD man, and i'm going to recieve my 1.6a tomorrow! i went the cheap route and got the giga byte 8SRX, but a lot of people are getting great overclocks with this board. i would go with a sis 645 chipset, personally. it's faster, more feature filled, cheaper, and just as stable as the intel 845-D. what's not to like?

--jacob

 

[DCFife]

I'm an AMD guy right now...two systems, one with a Shuttle AK31/XP1600+ and the other with an IWill KK266+/1.4Ghz. I'm seriously considering building a third system to replace the MSI 6309/PIII-700 that I'm selling this weekend, but I'm procrastinating on the motherboard...845 or SiS 645? I like the Epox 4SDA+ but the MSI 845 Ultra-ARU looks tempting too...what to do, what to do!

Dave

 

[RazeOrc]

I like my ABIT TH7-II RAID (i850 setup) runs a P4 1.5 "Willy" @ 1.9 ROCK STABLE with the "unofficially released BIOS." If you want the cheapest setup it's gonna be hard unless you grab a bargin Athlon board that has OC support and unlock an XP. RDram and DDR are the same price so it shouldn't be a major factor (unless you want PC1066 RDram coming in early May with Intel's new 845G or GL mobo that supports a 533MHz FSB. I personally like this TH7-II because it supports socket 478 chips, both Willys and Northwoods, and whether or not it will support 1066 is a mute point since you can easily OC x16 PC800 to 533MHz, or at least every x16 RIMM I have ever owned (about 6) have had no problem. Stability for me is due to the heat on my Willy, once I pick up a Northwood the real fun will begin However, I am in now way pushing P4's, I personally feel AMD is going to be releasing some serious firepower in a couple months that even Intel is going to have problem swallowing. And the prices on their mobos is dirt cheap, just comes down to preference/upgradeability.