Suggestions on System Building

PepperPepper
edited December 2004 in Hardware
I'm interested in hearing from people who know these things as to what they think my best options are. Here's my situation:

I've got a DELL computer system (please don't laugh :bawling: ). I want to build a new one that will permit me to eek out some more performance from my processor. The only thing I plan on saving is the processor, which is a 2.8 P4 of the 533 FSB variety.

Now, I'm interested in doing some *mild* overclocking of the processor/FSB if possible utilizing only air cooling. I'll buy a heatsink type thing (recommendations?) but I'm not going to mess with anything extreme or even liquid cooling. Since I'm nub I'd appreciate if the MOBO had some sort of automated software OC utility that would set it all safely on its own ...

I need AGP 8x (stupid Dell MOBO is only 4x I couldn't believe it).
I've got an Audigy 2 so I don't care about on-board sound (I like EAX). It also provides a firewire port so thats not important.
I have a 480W TT Butterfly PSU so I'm good in that area.
Finally, I'd like a MOBO that would support me buying a much better processor in the not too distant future; support for PCI-X would be a bonus but not necessary and not worth more than like an extra $50 to me b/c thats a long shot.
The RAM need not have any headroom for expansion b/c if I replace the processor I'll get new RAM at the same time. The RAM I have is unmatched pair of junk :p
I'm OK on CD/DVD drives and HardDrives for now.

OK, with all that said ... what would you recommend as far as MOBO + RAM? I've got a few $$$ to spend.

And am I going to be able to OC the processor? I read some stuff online that seems to say that the 2.8/533 isn't going to OC for me -- something about the multiplier requiring a huge jump in o/c or nothing? I dunno, I'm nub to this. :mad:

Suggestions??? Many thanks in advance!

Comments

  • madmatmadmat
    edited December 2004
    I'd suggest an Abit AI7 mobo due to it's U-Guru OC tool. I'd also suggest a gig of Corsair Twin-X Ultra Low Latency PC3200 because when you get tired of fighting with that 2.8B and move on to a 800mhz FSB CPU you'll enjoy the benefits of ram that not only does really impressive cas latencies at it's stock speed but when the latencies are loosened some will allow you to reach really impressive OC's of up to and above 250mhz FSB.
    You won't find any socket 478 mobo's with PCI-E or DDR2 support (maybe later, who knows but I doubt it) but the AI7 offers AGP 8x.
    Here's a link to the AI7. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-164&depa=0
    The ram is here. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-523&depa=1
    Good luck. :thumbsup:
    Note: I didn't bother suggesting an air cooling solution because frankly, I've lost touch with air cooling options over the last year and a half, I water cool mine.
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited December 2004
    good call Mat, the AI7 is a real solid mobo.
    For cooling look at Thermalright. They make a complete range of cooling solution. All of them work great. Big fans are nice because you can get OK cooling with low speeds and little noise. Or you can use a high speed fan, make a lot of noise and really cool.
  • PepperPepper
    edited December 2004
    Thank you both very much -- that MOBO looks nice.
    One follow up question if anyone knows --
    With this MOBO/Processor combo am I going to be able to see any real OC gains, or is this processor just not very OC'able?

    Thanks!
  • madmatmadmat
    edited December 2004
    I've heard of folks hitting 3.1 on air with them with a decent cooler. For higher OC's you'll need to go with a 800mhz FSB proc, either Northwood or Prescott.
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