IC7 air cooling overclock rig need CPU advice

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Operaghost

[H]ard|Gawd
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Jun 4, 2004
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I was originally going to order a 2.4c since it seemed like the best "bang for the buck"
Well heres the deal.
I'm projecting that it will take me a month maybe even 2 until I can finish saving for the parts I want. The ram and cpu will be the last things I order in hopes of some price drops. Now, I've thrown in a curveball because I ordered a Visiontek Radeon X800 Pro. I don't wanna worry about my vid card being limited by my CPU power which I've heard rumors about 2.8ghz or so being the "line" or wall where you can notice performance differences. SO, question is, should I stick with a 2.4, or go up to a 2.8 or even 3.0? I am willing to spend in the ballpark of $200 for the CPU (keep in mind this won't be for a month or 2). What is the standard or average OC people get on 2.8s and 3.0s with the IC7 (not G or Max model)? I plan to order some high quality PC4200 ram, most likely Geil Platinum series. Comments?

Thank you in advance
 
CPU and memory goes together. Very unlikely you will see more than 250FSB oc with 3.0c or 3.2c. Chances are PC 4000 would do fine or even some PC3200 oc'd would do :p (My samsung PC3200s reach DDR 515 with 2.8v)
Those extreme memories are more reserved for 2.6-2.8c. 2.4c most likely you will have to revert to 5:4 which means you won't need the xtremeties of memory again. I say get the CPU and use current memory in 5:4 or 3:2 and see how much room do CPU have. Usually I would say get better memory but with DDR2 becoming new standard... I am hasitant.
 
Ok then here is another question.
Lets say I wanna hit a 3.5-3.8ish OC somewhere in that ballpark.
IC7 is the board of course. I want to run synchronously. Keep in mind that the IC7 memory voltages top out at about 3.0 I think. What CPU and memory should I get to reach that 3.5-3.8ghz range?
 
Operaghost said:
Ok then here is another question.
Lets say I wanna hit a 3.5-3.8ish OC somewhere in that ballpark.
IC7 is the board of course. I want to run synchronously. Keep in mind that the IC7 memory voltages top out at about 3.0 I think. What CPU and memory should I get to reach that 3.5-3.8ghz range?
Click to expand...

Sorry my friend but memory voltages top out at 2.8V on a vanilla IC7 board, you must be thinking of the IC7-Max3
 
defiant said:
Sorry my friend but memory voltages top out at 2.8V on a vanilla IC7 board, you must be thinking of the IC7-Max3
Click to expand...
maybe talking about volt mod?
 
Operaghost said:
Ok then here is another question.
Lets say I wanna hit a 3.5-3.8ish OC somewhere in that ballpark.
IC7 is the board of course. I want to run synchronously. Keep in mind that the IC7 memory voltages top out at about 3.0 I think. What CPU and memory should I get to reach that 3.5-3.8ghz range?
Click to expand...

If you have no reservation of FSB, 3.0c would be the best bet to reach there. I say grab A-DATA PC4000 from newegg which is selling rather cheap and be comfortable knowing it will do at least 250FSB synchronous or spend the $$$ and get Corsair. But nothing more than PC4000 :p
 
I would say get a 2.8C and some Mushkin PC3500. Good OC ablilty and reasonable price all around. Level 1 Muskin PC3500 1GB DC kit running at 2-3-3 for $275 or they also have OCZ, which I've heard nothing but good things about, for $230. And right now the 2.8C retail is $180.
 
I just checked newegg

A-DATA PC4000 512mb chip = $145 (x2) = $290
Geil Ultra Series PC4000 1gb (2x512) = $295
Corsair XMS Extreme Series PC4000 1gb (2x512) = $311
Mushkin PC4000 Dual Pack 1gb = $320
OCZ Enhanced Latency Dual Channel Gold 1gb PC4000 = $310

The memory you recommended isn't much cheaper than any of the big heavyweight brands.
I'm sure all of the chips listed above will do 250mhz FSB easily at 1:1.

I'm thinking I'll go with a 3.0c and whichever of the above that I can find people running with 2-3ish latencies with on the IC7.

Please feel free to further discuss as I'm barely an amatuer at best.
 
Phoenix, why would you go with PC3500? Wouldn't that seriously limit my OC?
Have people gotten pc3500 rated sticks to go up to 250+mhz FSB? With only 2.8v?
 
Well, I've been doing alot of reading lately and have seen most of the name brand PC3500 hit 250+. By name brand, I include Kingston, Corsair, Mushkin, OCZ and Geil. I've pulled 3.36 GHz (240FSB x 14) stable out of my 2.8C in 1:1 with my Mushkin Lvl 1 PC3200 at 2.8v. I, unfortunately, don't have the cooling to keep it there 24/7 with summer rolling in. Hope to change that soon as I don't live all that far from Astoria, OR, Danger Den's home.
 
Where have you been reading? Besides here.
I've been on Mushkins forum, but I know Geil doesn't have one.
 
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