Cheap build: OC'ing in mind.

[Error 404]

Hi, I'm building a PC, but it needs to be quite cheap.
So far I have most of the parts worked out, but I need to know which motherboard to use.
It doesn't need SLI, or DDR3 support, it just needs to Overclock really well.
Price range I have in mind is about $150 - $180.

Parts so far:
Core 2 Duo Pentium @ 2.2 GHz
2 GB DDR2-800 RAM
nVidia 8600 w/ 512 MB RAM (Not sure whether it should be GT, GS or GTS)
650 Watt PSU
250 GB Western Digital SATA HDD
DVD Burner of some kind...

Well, any help with this would be appreciated: My friend is pretty much buying me this PC because I'm letting him blow up/fry my current P4 rig.
So, it needs to be fairly cheap: He promised me he'd buy me a better PC if I let him explode my current one, but I don't want to stress his finances.

 

[NeoCrisis]

Get yourself an C2D E7200 those are running pretty cheap $130usd and a P35 mobo. Abit has the IP35-E thats under $100 i believe.
forget about 8600 and get a 9600GT or even 9600gso.
Drop your PSU to a 550w with a high ampage that should give you some head room for better video card, cpu etc etc etc...

 

[Error 404]

Good advice, but most of that is not what I'm after: I don't need some kind of Mega Rig, I just need something cheap. an E2200 is cheaper than an E7200, therefore I'll go for the E2200.
The 8600 GT is cheaper than the 9600 GT, so I'll use that.
For the PSU, I'll look into it: sounds like sound advice.
I'll have a look at the motherboard as well.

 

[Cybrnook2002]

this is the board i have. newegg has it for $85 and its a GREAT OC'er. Or like our friend said, you coudl get one of the P35 boards for about 15 dollars more. But, abit is great for oc'ing and I can stand behing this board

P965 - same as mine- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127004- just make sure you update the bios first.

p35 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127049

 

[Error 404]

Thanks for the help; unfortunately, newegg doesn't ship to Australia: I'll definitely look for a cheap P35 motherboard, for upgradeability.

Does anyone know how high the E2200 can OC?

 

[Black Panther]

Core 2 Duo Pentium @ 2.2 GHz

Unless I'm mistaken the E2200 isn't a Core 2 Duo? It's dual core sure but not C2D architecture?

I'd suggest you get a real core 2 duo -- you can get the E4300 for dirt cheap probably, and it overclocks like a demon (look at my system specs).

 

[Error 404]

The E2200 is a C2D, based on the original E6x00 series: It fits in somewhere between the Celerons and the full Core 2 Duos.
The E2200 runs at 2.2 GHz and has an 800 MHz FSB, and should OC fine. I'll get a Xigmatec cooler for it.
Oh, and it costs about AU$80 (fairly close to US$ now!).

 

[paulo7]

Quick q how does the multiplier affect oc ability in terms of heat as obviously a lot of mb are fsb ltd like mine so does a higher multiplier get round this with no heat rise?

Jus because I notice a lot of ppl jus oc the fsb and dropping the mult on a lot of these processors.

 

[JrRacinFan]

Quick q how does the multiplier affect oc ability in terms of heat as obviously a lot of mb are fsb ltd like mine so does a higher multiplier get round this with no heat rise?

Jus because I notice a lot of ppl jus oc the fsb and dropping the mult on a lot of these processors.

You gain ALOT more performance via FSB, because your not just overclocking the processor if you do that, your overclocking the "whole motherboard".

@BP
Yes, they are allendales, basically based off of e4xxx's.

@404
You may want to rethink that e2200. It's a gamble as to whether or not your actually getting a crippled allendale or just a deliberate binned one.

Remember, P965 still overclocks duals well. If you can find a Asus P5B Deluxe for cheaper than any P35, get it. As for video card is concerned......

I have to know exactly what kind of games you play or how heavy you are into media.

 

[paulo7]

I would have thought it would all be relative I know ppl use lower mult gain higher fsb but if you use diff ratios fsb-mem speed 1:1 2:3 etc doesnt that even out the difference?

My main q was in relation to the temp of oc at a higher mult effect it has compared to that of lowering it and increasing the fsb?

Sorry if I have my wires crossed revising atm sucks!

 

[JrRacinFan]

No because the ram would be running same speed in theory. Temperatures would increase on the motherboard and slightly on the processor.

 

[Mussels]

there is a large chance of higher FSB's giving more performance. However, using lower rated ram on a divider CAN negate this.

More or less, higher FSB is great, but only if your mobo and ran can keep up. i can run 400x9 or 500x8, with the same 1000MHz ram and get no speed difference. ALl i get is added intsability and heat due to needing higher voltages to my northbridge.

A higher multi at stock is great because it lets you CHOOSE to go higher FSB, or not. Get a high a multi as you can, in case something holds back your FSB.

 

[paulo7]

Sorry one more q so heres my situation stuck at 333 on the fsb of e6300 on ab9 pro

The mult on this chip is 7 so if I was to go for another chip with a higher mult such as e2200 what would be my chance of still reaching the same fsb of 333?

Sorry if this is impossible to say jus thought I would ask

 

[newtekie1]

I would avoid all the 8600 series cards with 512MB of RAM as all of them use GDDR2 instead of GDDR3. There might be a few 512MB 8600 series cards out there that use GDDR3, but I've never seen them, if you can find one go for it, but if you are getting one of the GDDR2 versions avoid them.

A 8800GS or 9600GSO should be similar in price and run circles around any GDDR2 8600.

 

[Smartbomb]

EVGA makes an 8600GT 512 with GDDR3. http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=512-P2-N757-TR&family=GeForce 8 Series Family. Knew someone who just bought one, was $149 Futureshop Canada (CND almost on par with USD). Mind you, you can find 8800Gt's for around $50 difference or less, 9600GT Chaintech is $10 more and is easily 3X the card. The 8600GT 512 GDDR3 has 24Gbs. memory bandwidth as compared to the 9600GT 512, 57.6Gbs. Both specs are from Evga cards. $10 gives ya quite the difference in performance.

 

[JrRacinFan]

@newtekie
Here's one for you.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133204
I had the 256MB DDR3 model.

Yes they are usually very rare. I also totally agree with you, unless he can find the card for alot cheaper than whats expected.

@paulo
Chances are very high, but enough of the off-topic and hijack.

 

[dadi_oh]

Sorry one more q so heres my situation stuck at 333 on the fsb of e6300 on ab9 pro

The mult on this chip is 7 so if I was to go for another chip with a higher mult such as e2200 what would be my chance of still reaching the same fsb of 333?

Sorry if this is impossible to say jus thought I would ask

There is a well documented FSB Wall on the E2xxx series. I once found a thread that people posted their FSB walls and all of the E2140, E2160, E2180, E2200 has FSB walls ranging from 320MHz to about 400MHz (rarely). Most were in the 350-360 range.

From my own experience I had an E2160 (9X multi) that had a FSB wall at about 380MHz giving me 380X9=3420MHz 90% OC . I also have an E2180 (10X multi) that is crap. Tops out at 320MHz. It is a bit of hit and miss with the E2xxx series.

From what I have read the E4xxx E6xxx E8xxx series have better FSB performance. In my own case my E8200 ran at 535 FSB Prime95 stable. I also have an E8400 that is currently at 490 FSB. Might be able to go higher... haven't played with it.

So bottom line... "You gotta ask yourself one question... Ya' feelin' lucky?"

 

[FatForester]

I've been fine with my e2180, but if they had the e7200 when I rebuilt my rig it would be a no-brainer. The cache definitely cripples the e2x00's, so going with the e7200 would be a much better investment. The e7200 is also 45nm and is 300mhz faster than the e2200, not to mention it can overclock to compete with e8400/e8500's. You'll be happy with an e2200, but you'll be that much more happier with an e7200.

 

[magibeg]

I really think you should consider a 9600gt vs an 8600gt. The amount of extra money you pay vs the massive increase in performance is well worth the money. Sometimes paying a little extra is more than worth it.

 

[paulo7]

Sorry didnt mean to hijack although could be said that we were just discussing a crucial part to this guys build therefore making it worthwhile,

I would say LISTEN any money you would save now by getting the 8600 would be offset by the amt of time it would take you to realise the limitations of your machine and wish to upgrade....

And I would get the newer chip too!

Sorry again guess I thought the hijack wouldnt matter too much as this guy doesnt seem to be too bothered about getting the best for his dosh...