Hey guys, new overclocker here, I need some help determining my systems capabilities.

[ZeroAce]

I am trying to determine how much overclocking I can get out of my current system, and whether or not that justifies water cooling.

If I can't get much out of my overclocking, then I am will need help deciding on some good mid grade components that take to overclocking well.

I really would like to get something that allows me to justify water cooling on a performance level, because the watercooling already appeals to me for it's quiet operation and the fact that it will give the components more stability and lifetime to their operation.

What I have now:

Alienware case with 5 standard case fans.
340watt power supply.
Geforce 3 Ti500
AMD Athlon XP 1900+ Palomino
512mb PC2100 DDR

Because my computer is down from a hard-drive failure, I don't have access to the program that tells me my exact model numbers and speeds.

I have my motherboards manual here... It says the motherboard's manual says this on the front:
GA-7VTXE/7VTXH
VIA KT266A AGPset

Looking through the manual I have concluded I have the GA7VTXE version, because the 7VTXH has an "on-board lan", which my mobo does not have.

[nukes]

First of all:
WELCOME TO TECHIMO.
Now then;
I don't think that system really justifies watercooling. for the price of such a kit, you could just as easily buy a faster barton or Tbred. (if you were getting a 333/400 fsb one you would need a new mobo though)
Also, if you plan to overclock much you should really buy some new RAM unless your CPU is unlocked. You shouldn't expect to get far over 140/150mhz with PC2100 (apart from when its a really good brand, like crucial - I have had my PC133 running at 166 not ddr either)
The Pallies aren't that great for overclocking. They do OK though.

Now, you said you wanted some specs for mid-range stuff.
I'd keep your graphics card.
Get an NForce2 motherboard, preferably with onboard sound as strangely enough, the NForce2 audio chip is brilliant and gives you the best performance out of others including the audigy2.
Get some PC2700/3200 DDR from crucial or some other decent brand.
Get an XP1800 DLT3C (Tbred B, good overclocking, cheap)
You should be able to reach 2400+ speeds no problem, and probably higher as its a well ventilated case.

[ZeroAce]

Thanks for the response.

I've been looking into this for weeks now and I have accumulated a lot of questions if you could help me on any....


--What if I just bought some PC3200 RAM and a new CPU, would my mobo support it?
Would my mobo even be compatable with a new Athlon XP CPU (like 2400 or 3000)?

--AMD or Intel? As I understand it, AMD is the only choice if you plane to overclock, correct?
Although AMD does seem to be stretching themselves thin with the latest chips, and Intel's hyperthreading is appealing...

--Barton or Tbred? This is not just a gaming machine, but I will also be using it for complex 3D animation, light programming, and light video editing.
Does the barton's cache but lower clock speed really make it that much better?

--If I get a new mobo and RAM, would 1 GB of RAM be worth it? Does it matter, performance wise, if I split the RAM into two 512 sticks, or just use one big 1024 stick?

--Keep my graphics card? But if I upgrade my RAM, CPU, mobo, and sound, then wouldn't my graphics card become the bottleneck of my system in games and 3D animation?

--On watercooling, would a waterblock that is compatable with an Athlon XP 1900+ also be compatable with the athlon XP 3000+?
I'm thinking maybe I buy the water cooling now, test it on my current system, and then go buy a better processor if it doesn't work too well.

--If I'm getting a new motherboard and RAM to accomidate my CPU I want to make sure I get something that will last a while.
Should I hold out for the Athlon64bit considering that my Athlon XP compatable mobo, RAM, and waterblock will become obsolete overnight for all future upgrades?

-- Only an 1800 Tbred? I was actually thinking more along the lines of getting a 2400 Tbred and overclocking it to around the 3000 level.
Remember I don't want to simply replace my current components with ones that overclock well, I also want to make a signigant enough upgrade to warrent the upgrades purchase even without overclocking.

--I must admit I'm skeptical about the nforce2 onboard sound being better than an external soundblaster... But I'll take your word for it.
Originally I did plan to upgrade to an Audigy 2 6.1, because my old 5.1 seems to slow me done in some of the games with advanced 3D sound calculations.

[jmebonner]

1.) The mobo might support it , but only at the 266Mhz speeds. I assume the 266 in the kia name means the fsb, that goes to at least the 2400+
2.) It is very possible to o/c intel chips...I don't know anything about it though, someone here will.
3.)?????
4.)If the mobo supports dual channel ram, it's worth the two sticks. I personally have 1 gig, recently I took one of the 512s out and the difference was negligible, personal preference.
5.)Depends on what the gpu is, if it's a newer card, you're not likely to see much difference, most games don't even use the new cards to their full extent (yet, wait until HL2 and some of the newer games are released)
6.)??????
7.)Again, personal preference, I just bought an nforce2 board w/ 400mhz support, I did think about waiting, but I HATE waiting It should handle any and everything I can throw at it for a couple years at least, at which point the 64 will have settled to a reasonable price level.
8.)Not sure how good an o/cer the 2400 is, I have read a bit around here on the 2500 bartons (I think) getting some good o/cing results.
9.)Can't speak for this yet, haven't hooked up my z560s, still sorting out some other issues on my board

Hope this helps a bit. I'm just a hack, not like some of these experts around here, but it'll give you some good starting points.

[cyclist110]

Just to add to jme's reply...

AMD market their processors in terms of performance. So a 2600 tbred is supposed to rival a P4 2.6 and a 2500 barton (running considerably slower than a 2600) is supposed to rival a P4 2.5.

As for watercooling, I think you'll find that the system you buy will fit any AMD processor as they really haven't changed the outer physical characteristics in a long time.

You definately have to think about the motherboard. I've read some good things about the newer Kt400's but I'm still convinced that the nforce is the best out there right now. I've had my 333fsb board up to 410fsb and almost stable, with a little more tweaking and maybe better RAM (corsair or OCZ) I'm sure it would be fine. At these speeds it's benchmarks rival a P4 3.06.

Good luck

[blackie]

i believe if your going for overclocking, intel is the only way to go...

many of the new p4 2.4 "C" chips (800mhz fsb, hyperthreading) will overclock to 3.4GHz.. i believe that is on stock cooling aswell.. definitely air cooling anyway

P4's run at like 1/2 the heat of AMD's..

nForce 2's are by far the best AMD mobos.. and no, the onboard sound chips will not exceed audigy 2's..

If your going to get 1GB of DDR, get 2x512's.. it'll be faster. even if theyre not dual channel sticks, it will still be faster.

410fsb.. what ram are ya using cyclist??

[ZeroAce]

Blackie, it was my understanding that intel disables the ability for you to overclock their chips directly...

[thekingofpain]

No---Intel chips offer fantastic OC-ability with standard retail heatsinks, good ddr mem and an "enthusiasts" motherboard...

[XShadowZxX]

Watercooling is a good idea for silent and cooling, i dont kno if its good but hey water can get as cold as it wants rite.

Cheiftec is the case ur talking about ?

it is intelligent to go with intel haha.

Actually blackie 2.4 C get to 3.6 GHz with upgraded cooling, i heard it is pretty stable too.