help for 2.6 Northwood

[c4ndlburrnr]

Current system configuration: Intel Pent4 2.6GHz Northwood HT w/800MHz FSB, Intel D865GBF mobo, 2x512MB Kingston CL3 Value RAM running at 3, 3, 3, 8, PAT disabled, Western Dig 160gig IDE drive, ATI all in wonder 9600XT, Antec true power 550W psu, Logitech Z620 6.1 surround, 52xCDRW, 16x dual layer DVDRW.
I've had the system for a little over a year now and have been doing gradual upgrades since the warranty allowed me to open the case in December. The second stick of RAM, the DVD burner, the Graphics, the PSU and rounded cables were all added since then. It all works just great, but I'd like to OC it to give it a lil extra ooomph. Am not looking to find the maximum OC, would like to get it to 3.25GHz tho. The graphics card is not hooked up to the TV in the livingroom yet, but soon will be. I then plan on using the system as a programmable recorder to record from the TV to the system with the possibility of transferring some of it to media at a later time if I wish to do so. I also have here, brand new in the box, a CSB Audigy 2ZS Platinum Pro waiting to be installed.
More goodies that I'd have liked to have ordered yesterday (but am waiting for some humble opinions on) include a new mobo (not quite sure what to get???), Thermalright SLK 948U or XP-90C with a Thermaltake UFO Fan Series A2218 90x90x38mm Blue UV Fan mounted to whichever one of these heatsinks I choose to go with (never mind gettin one of those Delta screamers to kick me outta my room), 2 Western Dig 120gig SATA drives, a pair of RAM heat spreaders and 3 more case fans.
I was planning on keeping the 160gigger to run the OS and using a RAID 1 configuration to store all data (I know ur cringing at the idea of this, but the thought of losing any data I have makes my heart skip a few beats). Feel free to tell me to go with RAID 0 and learn to use the Back It Up utility in my Nero or tell me the whole configuration with the 3 drives is all wrong and point me in the right direction.
Am a semi-avid gamer just getting into digital photography using two very good photo rendering programs currently installed on my system. My PC gets a minimum of 4 hours use daily and much heavier on weekends. Am just looking to give it a performance boost while keeping some degree of reliability at the same time.
I have a savvy techy that helps with all installs of software and hardware that has given me his opinion on what I should do with the $$$ I am willing to spend, but I'd like to hear some informed opinions from those of you here in this forum. You can tell me anything - replace the RAM if you think I should, what mobo to purchase, so that I realize the performance gain I am seeking - any suggestions are a breath of fresh air. Just don't tell me to throw the thing out the window and start all over???? I am gonna post a link to an article on OCing the 2.6 Northwood that I found quite interesting. I have 2 questions though;
1. Do I install the cooling goodies and the new mobo only and then try to OC the sytem, and then go about hooking everything else in???
2. Or do I install everything and make sure all is fine for a week or two and then go about trying to OC the system???


Thank you in advance for all help and suggestions, it is greatly appreciated

http://www.devhardware.com/c/a/Compu...6c-800MHz-FSB/

[NoAffinity]

What speed is the RAM? DDR400 or less may limit your overclocking...but that's only if you can overclock. With an Intel board, you are limited to software overclocking, as the BIOS does not offer any sort of overclocking functionality. Check setFSB or Clockgen, for compatibility. If neither of these programs are compatible, then you're probably out of luck on that mobo (...and maybe it's time to consider upgrading the mobo, as well...). Definitely get any upgraded cooling installed before overclocking. Some good thermal interface material, such as Arctic Silver 5 (sorry if you said you got some...your post is pretty long, and I didn't read it word-for-word ), is also recommended. Make sure you clean both CPU and the bottom of the new heat sink with some isopropyl alcohol (90%+ purity) and a lint-free cloth before applying any thermal interface material.

The only other upgrade suggestion I can make, if you are a high-end gamer, is the video card. The 9600XT isn't bad, but it's not completely up-to-par for higher resolutions and all goodies enabled in newer games (HL2, FarCry, Doom3, etc). If you're considering this, a post in the VC section will get you some good ideas on what a good choice for an upgrade would be.

[c4ndlburrnr]

Thanx for your suggestions NoAffinity. The RAM is DDR 400......what speed do I need to achieve my goal of a 3.25GHz OC???? Yes, the mobo needs to be replaced, any suggestions??? Anyone??? Thanx once again

[NoAffinity]

You would need an FSB of 250...and unless you have some awesome RAM, you probably won't be able to achieve that in 1:1...and going to 5:4 greatly hinders performance. I would first establish if your CPU can do 250 mhz (using a 5:4 divider), or what its max FSB is, before considering any RAM upgrades (if you're starting to think in this direction, as well).

Awesome mobos: Abit IC7 line, Asus P4C800 line, DFI Pro875 line (hard to find at this point...think they've been discontinued).

Close contenders: Abit IS7 or AI7 line, Asus P4P800 line.

[AristoV300]

Those are all great choices for boards. You will need to look into PC-4000 (DDR500) memory. 3.25 is a very acheivable overclock for a 2.6, you should be able to hit with no voltage adjustments on air cooling. If you are a gamer it is recommended to upgrade that video card.

[c4ndlburrnr]

Thanx guys . So if I can still get ahold of one of a DFI LANPARTY PRO875B rev-B SOCKET 478 w/AUDIO/LAN/ATA RAID/SATA, would it be wise to buy since they may be discontinued???? I was also recommended the ASUS P4P800E DLX but I don't like the reviews on that board - somethin bout the south bridge burnin up??? Once again, thanx for all help


Ooopsss That RAM not gonna do it eh. Howz about some OCZ PC-4200 DDR533 Enhanced Latency 1GB (2x512MB) Dual Channel Kit CAS2.5??? That gonna get me to where I wanna be??? Thanx again

[AristoV300]

I would lean more toward Abit IC7 line or the Asus P4C800 line. Yes that memory will be more than adequate to get you where you need to go running 1:1.

[joko77]

You might look at this thread, started it when I joined this forum . I had quite similar setup with some differences, but I had 2.6C. THe thread might give you an idea or show you the way...
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...ad.php?t=78708

I realized that chip was at its peak around 3.20-3.25. When we talk about stability.
But its said; "No 2 same CPU`s perform or OC the same"
so good luck with it!!!!!!

[joko77]

Originally Posted by AristoV300

I would lean more toward Abit IC7 line or the Asus P4C800 line

and from these 2 I would try IC7 as It might have less droop than P4C800 line...
.02

[c4ndlburrnr]

Okkkkkkk Thanx very much to NoAffinity, Aristo and joko, you guys are great I am going with the Abit IC7G and the OCZ RAM. Will grab the Thermalright XP-90C and attach a Thermaltake UFO Fan Series A2218 90x90x38mm Blue UV Fan (as it blows 81.2 CFM @ 3600 RPM @ 47 dBA......the noise I can handle as the speakers can make more ) I just have to make sure that I will be able to use that RAM and figure out a RAID configuration. I've been banging my head as to what to do with this thing - sell and upgrade to all new stuff or carry thru with my current plans But you guys have been great at helping me with all of your suggesstions and info. Thank yous once again

[AristoV300]

What RAID configuration are you trying to do? As for the fan just hook it up do a fan controller or else I know the P4C800-E has a built controller to lower the RPM when the CPU is at a lower temp.

[c4ndlburrnr]

I was going to go with two WD 120gig SATAs in RAID 1 for all data and using the 160 IDE for my OS. But maybe I'll drop down to two 80 gig SATAs in RAID 0 for all my data and run the OS off the 160 Western??? And I'll be ok with that fan as it comes with a controller too that fits in a PCI slot.

[c4ndlburrnr]

I've been to OCZ's site and that OCZ PC-4200 DDR533 Enhanced Latency 1GB (2x512MB) Dual Channel Kit CAS2.5 is not recommended for the Abit IC7G mobo. However, the OCZ PC-4000 DDR500 Enhanced Latency 1GB (2x512MB) Dual Channel Kit CAS3 is listed there for that mobo. I'd really like to get the CAS2.5 stuff. Would it be ok to just buy the 2.5s and use them anyway with this mobo???

[c4ndlburrnr]

Bump