Joined overclocking project

[aDivXLoVe]

Hey all of you peeps. I just ordered some new computer stuff, which I believe can be nicely overclocked. Though this is the first time I really want to overclock the whole bunch to a great stable performance ( who wouldn t :) )
I have got to do it with the parts I now have. Off course iI like your help suggestions and will post the results on this board so maybe some other people can use it too.
What I ve got:

Cae: 3 Air Systems case (fan in fan out)
Powe Supply: Q-tec 400 Watt Dual Fan Gold Low Noise
Mobo: Epox 83DA ( i could still switch to the + , any suggestions ?)
Processor: AMD XP 2400+ Thoroughbred
Cooler: Zalman CNPS6000-CU
Chipset cooler
Memory: 2x Twinmos DDR 2100 256 MB
Harddisk: 80 GB WD 7200 RPM (8MB)
Harddisk Cooler: Thermaltake Hardcano V
Graphics Card: Gef 4 Ti 4200 64 Mb Chaintech
OS: Win2000 (or better go for XP?)

If i have to do a wiretrick or something on the CPU it must be really clear what to do, cause I am not really technical and don t wanna have it blown up. But if its a good thing to I will
:x

Hope you guys will enjoy this too and can help me get this system ROCK!

Grtz :D

[2penguins]

Just a few points.

Why not run 1 stick of 512mb DDR PC2800 or PC3200 RAM?

I wouldn't bother with a HDD cooler unless you are having heat related HDD problems which isn't very likely.

I wouldn't bother with a ti4200 unless it has 128mb of Memory.
If you want a GF4 card then have a look at the higher end cards like the ti4800 with 128mb of memory, you'll be happy you did.

If you're going to use a Microsoft OS then you might as well use the most current release XP Pro or XP Home if you know you'll never need the networking support provided with Pro.

About your choice of CPU coolers...it's really not an ideal cooler for overclocking if that's what you are looking for and it's no better than stock coolers if your going to run stock.

Some better coolers for OCing are Bitspower NP80D if you are looking for reasonable results and moderate noise & Global Win's CAK38 if you want excellent performance and don't mind listening to the (very loud) whine of a 6800RPM fan.
www.frostytech.com is an excellent reference site for coolers check them out before you buy.


I'm not up on the MB you're using, however if it doesn't unlock the CPU you don't have to risk shorting out your CPU with a bodgy wire trick. Use conductive silver paint (the stuff used to repair defoggers & PCB tracks) and paint a track between the pins on the back of the MB. Don't paint over existing tracks though. If there are tracks between the pins you'll have to make some sort of bridge(a bit of tape) and paint over it. It's reversable too.


Cheers

[aDivXLoVe]

Ok these are nice tips.

1) The memory i have is from my prvious system, but I can change that without too many cost involved so I will do that.
2)The zalman cooler I have is from the prvious system also. I don t like a lot of noise either. And it does make a difference on cooling. On my previous system I had a stock cooler and it gave me 55 C, with Zalman I get 51 C and half the noise.
3) The graphics card I allready have for 2 months or so, so changing will be a bit too much in cost :( so got to keep this one. BTW when buying it I checked performances and somehow it always seems faster than the 4200 Ti 128mb in benchmarks. And if I can pick again Ill have a radeon :)
4) Ill go for the XP pro
5) Well for the mobo what I understand it s quite good for oc-ing, it has locked multiplier on the pci/agp slots with nforce chip and voltage can be changed. Not sure whether it unlcoks the cpu.

Forgot to mention I have an additional Papst fan to increase some air flow. Probably gonna put it on the side. Though I am thinking about the bottum of the case too, as to me it seems that is where the cool air in the case seems to be found.

thnx for the tips :D

[Giblet Plus!]

The 8rda non plus is fine. The + just adds better sound and a built in NIC.

I see one problem with your setup. The power supply is a cheap brand. I'd get a 350W sparkle/fortron/verax/Aopen (all the same) or Antec 420W instead.

You could buy a Thoroughbred XP2100 and save money also. They overclock just as well, if not better, than the XP2400s. This (http://www.excaliberpc.com/default.php?cPath=178_186) store sells them by core revision. You can find the best cores by looking over the overclockers.com cpu database. :)

If you want to overclock, you'll need a new heatsink. I'd go with any of the Thermalright products that fit a 80mm fan, or a Vantec Aeroflow. :D

[aDivXLoVe]

Ok second person that points at the cooler/heatsink, so I wil have to change that.
Two questions Giblet.
1) Is what you are actually saying that the XP2100 t-bred will gave me the same totak end result as the 2400 + or the same increase ?
2) Tghough q-tec is a cheap brand will it lack performance ?

btw thanks for the link but I am not sure about buying processors that will have to ship from the USA to my homy in Europe, takes a lot of time to get here ;)

Thnx again

[fishybawb]

The Q-tec PSUs are actually really good, but for overclocking you should listen to Giblet Plus!, and get a Sparkle/Fortan or Antec for *assured* stability.

[aDivXLoVe]

:( thats a difference of 60 USD + 20 USD for the cooler for the psu, can buy a standard XP2600 + . I do think I will take the chances on the cooler but unfortunately also on the Q-tec, I think i will just have to :( Pray with me :)

[Bankarin]

I just bought an AthyXP 2100+ a little over a month ago. I used that script that gives you the CPU specs and going off that information I've gotten my 2100+ up to 2600+ by upping the FSB to 166(333) and taking the multiplier up to 12.5x. Unfortunately, my MB doesn't unlock the higher multipliers and I really don't want to jump the CPU pins. I've got the Asus A7N8X Deluxe and have been running the system at the 2600+ speeds for about a week and a half now with no problems. I ran it at 2400+ speeds for about a month before that just to be on the safe side for any possible problems. My Temps at current speed are 41C/105F. I leave my system on 24/7 and ran several benchmark programs on it to test the stability and heat issues. I concur with Gibblet's suggestion to get the 2100+. I've seen no problems with this one at all. I'm going to try increasing the FSB eventually, but I only picked up PC2700 RAM and am not sure how far I can push it yet. I know it has low latency and I think the chips are CAS2 at stock speeds. Oh, and the CPU is at stock voltage of 1.65v. When I ran the ID script, it gave me a return that this was a 2400+ downgraded to 2100+ speeds and was week 02 year 2003. Other then that, a stable PS would definitly help you with your efforts along with a better heatsink/fan combo. I've got an Antec case and PS as well as the Antec Performance CPU Cooler. It gave me a 10 degree F drop from the stock cooler AND the supposed High Perfomance cooler I had bought last year. 1 more thing, if you change RAM go ahead and get 2 sticks again. You're getting a nForce2 MB and the Dual-Channel DDR will make a difference in perfomance. A little more then my .02, but hopefully helpful. :D

[killer_teddy]

See what temps you get, I really think a new HSF is neccessary for OCing.

[aDivXLoVe]

The 2200 XP will do just the same I hope. The 2100 is sold out :(
so her is the new set up:)

Originally posted by aDivXLoVe


Case: 3 Air Systems case (fan in fan out)
Power Supply: Q-tec 400 Watt Dual Fan Gold Low Noise
Mobo: Epox 83DA
Processor: AMD XP 2100+ Thoroughbred
Cooler: Thermal Right SLK-800 (A)
Chipset cooler
Memory: 2x DDR 2700 => brand to be decided
Harddisk: 80 GB WD 7200 RPM (8MB)
Harddisk Cooler: Thermaltake Hardcano V
Graphics Card: Gef 4 Ti 4200 64 Mb Chaintech
OS: WinXP Pro

Grtz :D

[Giblet Plus!]

The 2200 will not do just the same. It is based on an older "A" core. A "B" core XP2100 will be much better, but if you're not sure if you can find a Thoroughbred "B" XP2100, just get the XP2400, since all of them are "B"s.

Skip out on the hard drive cooler - just mount it on an adapter in a 5 1/4 bay. That will give you money to get a good PSU. A Verax (European sparkle) or antec would be a good choice. Don't cheap out on the PSU.

Stick with the non + 8rda, unless you really want the extras it comes with. You'll also want something better to put on its northbridge. Old, smaller, heatsinks work, as would a Zalmann northbridge heatsink.

[2penguins]

Using a single stick of memory is usually safer than trying to run two.

I would recomend 1- 512mb Corsair XMS3200. I doubt you would need more memory than this.

[killer_teddy]

Using 2 sticks of RAM means he can use the dual-channel DDR feature.

[aDivXLoVe]

okidoki found me a good powersupply after some researhing. Quiet, stable and reasonably affordable
+ Levicom Silent PSU 420 Watt
we will get there :r

[BiG MiKeY]

Originally posted by Bankarin
IUnfortunately, my MB doesn't unlock the higher multipliers and I really don't want to jump the CPU pins. I've got the Asus A7N8X Deluxe


update ure bios it will work :p ;)

[BiG MiKeY]

Originally posted by 2penguins
Using a single stick of memory is usually safer than trying to run two.

I would recomend 1- 512mb Corsair XMS3200. I doubt you would need more memory than this.

no not wit dual ddr boards

[BiG MiKeY]

Originally posted by aDivXLoVe
The 2200 XP will do just the same I hope. The 2100 is sold out :(
so her is the new set up:)





OK... first step NEWEGG.COM

buy the 2100 that labeled thourabred "B" if excaliberpc.com dosent have them. (the b make a diffrence dont be stuck wit an A)

if ure planing on some high FSB (which is wut u should be looking for) pc 2700 ram wont do, ull get to 166fsb but after that. its the luck of the draw! (crosshair/crucial is preffered,some other ram are good)

as said sparkle/w.e is the MOST COST EFFICIENT psu u can have. 350 watt will due nicely.

dont get the (a) revision on the slk-800 its a $%#@ to put on i should know i have it ! (U) wit the screws/nutz is better IMO or u can always get the slk-900 which will let u mount the 92mm fan and also will give u better cooling performance.

TT SMART FAN! with the slk-800 or any 92mm fan wit the slk-900. look for the most CFM

that ge4 should go... but will last u easily for the next year or till the end of the summer if ure a extreme gamer.

WD SE nice choice

U forgot one thing AS3 Very important! that and a CD-R


Unless u allready have xp pro, home will do the exact same thing the main diffrence i believe is that xp pro is for SMP (dual processors)

GOOD LUCK

[aDivXLoVe]

Mention it again, live in Europe. Selected some goods to be shipped 121 USD :t
Prices more or less the same :rolleyes:

So I will change the pc2700 to pc3200 and have to look for the right cpu here in the Netherlands

I had allready decided to switch to the thermalright slk-900 and will use a papst fan with it.

I really do stick with the psu I chose its smart fanned and a reliable brand, just 30 euro's cheaper but still 70 Euro's = 75USD

Now got to e-mail the resellers for xp 2100 if they want to give me the production code.

AIHUB 03** will do best I think

allready have selected the cdwriter
Lite-on 48x24x48

what is AS3 :confused:

[fishybawb]

AS3 = Arctic Silver 3 - a particulary good thermal compound. :t

[aDivXLoVe]

Originally posted by fishybawb
AS3 = Arctic Silver 3 - a particulary good thermal compound. :t

zalman cooling paste i have now not sufficient ?

[killer_teddy]

Yes, but AS3 better!

[aDivXLoVe]

Allright everything ordered excepr for the cooler, but that one will follow if I am not completely happy with the result (in never am ;) )
I ll let you know hope it all arrives before eastern

:r

[BiG MiKeY]

Originally posted by aDivXLoVe
Allright everything ordered excepr for the cooler, but that one will follow if I am not completely happy with the result (in never am ;) )
I ll let you know hope it all arrives before eastern

:r

GOOD LUCK !

[aDivXLoVe]

:( Well I didn t receive all the goods so I can not start untill Tuesday.

But some questions as this is the first time I will really start overclocking. What would be the correct procedure to follow?
First is off course highering the fsb speed, but what next i f I reach the max there? Highering voltage and leave the fsb intact or lowering voltage and increasing the multiplier?
And if I sound to dumb now please stop me but I can t figure out the ram settings when I read about those 2-3-43-2-3-1 stuff what does it mean?

Thnx again people:D

[2penguins]

The best thing to do is to read up first.

Have a look here, it's a bit dated, but it still has alot of good info.

http://www.hyperformance-pc.com/overclocking_faq.htm


You will find alot of good links there also.

Take the time to learn before you start changing things.
If you start playing around with different settings (voltages especially) you could cause some serious damage.


I would also run a search for as much info on your motherboard & video card as you can, look for potential problems and solutions for those problems.

Hopefully you won't have any, but it pays to be prepared!

Good luck!;)

[aDivXLoVe]

Thanks but that reading in i ve allready done, except for the trouble on the videocard I will look for that. But my question is better specified as: Should I first go down or first go up on the voltage?

[2penguins]

Why would you lower the voltage? Don't do that....

The only reason you raise the voltage is to overcome instability.
Raising the voltage helps overcome the resistance in the core and smooths out the current flow, but at a price, heat.

You shouldn't ever play around with voltages unless you absolutely have to.

I remembered this link after I posted, it will help explain what happens when you adjust the core voltage.

http://www.cpuplanet.com/features/article.php/1690721


Cheers.

[aDivXLoVe]

:( Well my bad luck, finally everything arrived.
The xp2100 code: AXDA 2100ut3c AIHUB0307XPRW , I assume thats week 7 of 2003 and looks ok to me.
Though after installing all the stuff it starts getting a little weird, the diskdrive can t be read and the nasty mobo gives me the " FF " code.
Reading some on i-net learned me that that calls foran RMA, but is there another solution ??
Flashing the bios won t work :(