How over-clockable will this be?

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toasty2

toasty2

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Jul 19, 2006
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http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=4252867

Click the link for the list of parts I'm getting. Anyway, I'll post here too:

Mobo: DFI INFINITY NF ULTRAII-M2 Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor

RAM: mushkin High-Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)

PSU: Rosewill RD450-2-DB ATX V2.2 450W Power Supply

Cooler: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro Cooling Fan with Heatsink
______________________________________________

So, here are my questions:

1) How far can I expect to overclock it?

2) Is there anything you would reccomend changing? (Can only afford around $60 more on price)

3) Any other suggestions and input?
 
I could upgrade to a X2 4800+, should I? If I do that, that will probably forfeit the possibility of better ram. Is the ram fine? Also, if i get a 4800+, I won't need to overclock as much. (I might not, but how will that affect the questions in the above post?)
 
If you overclock as heavily as you are talking about, I would recommend a more expensive power supply. Specifically you're looking at a higher overall wattage probably and definetely higher amps on the 12v rails.
 
I can't get DDR2-800 because of the mobo I'm getting. I'm decided on that mobo, after all...its DFI 😀 (tons of OC options, and its just damn good.)
 
using ddr2-800 is the best way to get maximum performance out of your cpu. The first time I fired mine up my ddr2 800 wasn't recognized but once I flashed the bios it worked great.
 
I was just checking DFI's website, I was hoping that they had updated the support for ram there. It looks like it won't officially support ddr2 800, but who knows it might still work(I probably wouldn't risk it). That seems like an oversight for them.
 
With the limitation of only $60 extra dollars spent, I'd first go from 2 gig of ram down to 1 gig and try to get a LP UT NF590 board and then get the DDR2 800 ram. That gets you the latest technology in the motherboard chipset and you can save to buy more ram later.

If there's enough left over, then think about the 4800+ cpu. Last thing, you might think about a more powerful psu. 550 wt or more is going to be needed before long, especially when Vista and DX10 cards become available.
 
I agree with Sailer on his points. When I jumped from 1 to 2 gigs it wasn't much of a change, I'm sure over time I'll use it but not right now. DDR2 800 will give you the best performance but I would definetely recommend a better power supply.
 
I'll look into getting a better PSU. And, if I get 1GB ram, should I get 2x 512 (for dual channel)? But that would be weird if I get a 1GB stick later on. Or would that be fine? Or should I get a 1GB stick?
 
I'll look into getting a better PSU. And, if I get 1GB ram, should I get 2x 512 (for dual channel)? But that would be weird if I get a 1GB stick later on. Or would that be fine?
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Get a 1 gig stick. Then it will be easy to add another 1 gig later and have the dual channel then. Combining a 1 gig stick with two 512 sticks will slow the whole works down.
 
Are you an overclocker or what!?
Dont go for the 4800+, youll raise those 200Mhz on your own!
The 4200+ is acceptable since its only a few more bucks, but the 4800+ makes me feel a bit ripped off. Since twice the cache (at 3Ghz at least) was only about 5% better than 2 x 512KB.

I do highly recommend the DFI LP UTNF590SLI-M2R/G. Its the best OCing motherboard for AM2.

Go with only 1 stick of 1GB (its alot harder to OC on 512mb sticks). But make sure its DDR2 800 with 4-4-4 timings. This Patriot stick is the cheapest one (and quite cheap!). It'll OC to ~500+Mhz CL5.

EDIT: The HSF youve already got is a top performer for the money. If you are to upgrade go for a Scythe Ninja or Inifinity, the Thermalright Ultra-120 is also very good. Dont even consider Zalman 9500.

Definetly swap the PSU, the Antec NeoHE series have great specs, quality and price. 480W will cut it.
 
Well, I'd like to stick with this mobo, it's DFI, AM2, and in my budget. I am planning on only 1 1GB stick. Altough, I might consider going back to 2GB. Anyway, I'll look into the PSU. Any other suggestions?
 
Well, I'd like to stick with this mobo, it's DFI, AM2, and in my budget. I am planning on only 1 1GB stick. Altough, I might consider going back to 2GB. Anyway, I'll look into the PSU. Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

Let me tell you something. All X2's have the same Ghz cap, wich is at about 3.4Ghz. A 3800+ or a 5200+, same cap. Of course the 4800+ has a higher chance (notice its still not for sure) to reach this due to higher binning. But an 3800+ has a good chance to reach 3.1Ghz stable. So, are those $80 worth a possible 300Mhz more in OCing?

While a motherboard has to last you longer than a processor. It'll also be your OCing utily for future upgrades. IMO the last part in wich you should skimp. Move to a 3800+ and the DFI NF590, youll get to brag more about your OCs hehe 😀
 
Well, if I get a X2 4800+, I may not need to overclock. In fact, when I was going to get a X2 3800+ or 4200+, I wasn't sure if I would overclock. I might not...but I'd still like to have the ability to do so. And, I don't need a $200+ board if I am not doing extreme overclocking. The only reason I asked how far it could go in this thread, is so that I'll know for the time when this starts to feel dated. I don't really plan on going to 3Ghz, maybe 2.7Ghz. However, I will probably not overclock.
 
While a motherboard has to last you longer than a processor. It'll also be your OCing utily for future upgrades. IMO the last part in wich you should skimp. Move to a 3800+ and the DFI NF590, youll get to brag more about your OCs hehe 😀
Click to expand...

I go along with the NF590 board as beng the better choice. This is the newest chipset, able to take you the farthest into the future. If you can do that, adn swing th 4200+ cpu, then all the better, but get a good motherboard first.
 
As much as I'd like to buy nice, expensive stuff, it just can't be done with my money. I'll probably get another computer in 5 years anyway, then I'll really buy something nice. But, for now, this thing will be on fire compared to my current computer.
 
As much as I'd like to buy nice, expensive stuff, it just can't be done with my money.
Click to expand...
I beg to differ.
You said you could cough up to $60 more tha your original build right? Well, here are my suggestions:

FSP Group (Fortron Source) 450W PSU

DFI LP UTNF590SLI-M2R/G

2xPatriot 1GB stick DDR 800 CL4

4200+

Your original setup came up to $607, and this one comes up to $675. For the $60 you already said was somewhat in your budget you could have a better PSU (Fortron and strong dual 12v rails), the best OCing mobo for AM2, and 2GB DDR2 800 CL4, that will OC to 500+Mhz CL5.
Everything in a computer is upgradeable, BUT your motherboard. When you change a mobo practically youre changing systems, so for all the future upgrades that you may want to do, youll already have an amazing mobo and great memory for OCing.

If youre still relentless about the DFI NF590 let me recommend another great OCing board with the 500 series chipset.
The EPoX EP-MF570SLI, its got the 570 chipset so you wont have to mod it to run SLI. It will outperfom the DFI ultra-M2 at OCing, currently has the best $/Ghz ratio for the 500 chipsets.
 
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