My upgrade and A7N8X questions...

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 6:12 pm

OK, lets get things going here. I am "really" wanting to get this soon. Along with a new Athlon XP Processor. I know I created another topic on this motherboard, I just wanted to start with something fresh, cause I have quite a few questions about this board, if they can be answered. (another thing, I know there's a lot of info about this board over at amdmb.com, but I looked around there, and never really saw what worked best, toooo much to sort thru. I thought we might start something here anyway, to benefit the visitors of PCAbusers.

Anyways, here's my questions:

1. What processor is reccommended? I'm looking at the 2400+ Thoroughbred over at NewEgg, for $103. (I might get the retail too, for $110 I think, so I can put the heatsink on my old Athlon tbird, and sell that to someone). I'm also looking at the 2500+ Barton. I know that the Barton is clocked lower, but, would that be faster? I plan on overclocking whatever I get. I want at least 2 ghz. Also, I saw the 2100+ "Revision B" at NewEgg. Is the 2400+ revision B, or A? I don't remember what site it was, but you could the buy exact processor you wanted, you were guranteeed the stepping and stuff. So, what is the best processor to get right now for the nForce2 chipset? So I can reach at least 166 FSB (333 DDR) and have at least 2 ghz.

2. RAM! I've read a lot on what the nForce2 requires in the terms of ram. I would like to get two 512mb sticks of PC2700 LL Corsair. Expensive stuff...

What's the best ram to go for right now? I want to use the dual channel DDR and would like to use two 512mb sticks. I've read that if you want to use dual channel ddr, you need low latency? So, help choosing ram for sure.

Basically, what setup will run the best on this motherboard with a fairly conservative amount of money... Here's what I have as an idea so far:

Asus A7N8X Deluxe
Athlon XP 2400+ TBred
1GB Corsair PC2700 LL (2 512mb sticks) (I'm thinking about getting TWO PC-2700LLPT - currently $120 shipped each at NewEgg - I think the price went down.)
New 60GB Maxtor Diamond Max 9 (8mb cache)

Other than that, I'm reusing all my old parts. (I might get a slot load DVD too). I am sure I will be modifying this list later, and am by no means finished researching. That's why I need everyone's input!!

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 8:25 pm

I would go with the 2100b - assuming you want the overclock - you should end up somewhere in the 2.2-2.3 range

i would go with pc3200/3500 - the new amd chips will be 200 fsb and it's only a few bucks more and you will be able to handle a 200 fsb without any problem. I am currently running 512 mushkin 3200 value (210 fsb tops) and 512 Samsung 2700 (~184 fsb tops) - my "sweet spot is 173 fsb) so it's not really an issue -- corsair, samsung, mushkin wtc. are all good - just avoid the off brands

sounds like you've done your homework

the bartons will probably never overclock as well as the b chips because of the larger cache - just more sensitive - so unless you have a real need for the extra cache, stick with the ol' workhorse b series

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 9:52 pm

Ok, awesome. That's what I needed to know. I just a read a little bit more, and found out the same thing you just told me, the 512kb cache will slow the processor down, rather than really offer an increase in performance. I'm really not fond on how AMD made the processor slower, and gave it a higher rating. But, whatever.

But, I have another question, the 2100b, for me to get it to 2.2-2.3 will I have to be upping vcore? I don't really want to up it too much, maybe jsut a little bit. But, I want to find a spot where I have lots of speed and yet don't shorten the life of the processor really low.

Also, is the 2100+ Revision B the only processor in the B revision?

And, I was considering the 3200, because it would come in use with future upgrades. I know 1 gb of 3200 ram will last me a while, which is partly why I'm ready to cough up the cash for it.

The other thing I'm worried about, I've readh about people not getting certain ram to work in Dual Channel mode on the A7N8X. Corsair Low Latency will work for sure, but does anyone know of any other brands that may work? I'm most likely going to go with the Corsair, but I would still like to see what my options are.

So, what I'm understanding is the 2100b overclockes better, if not higher, than the 2400+. Correct? I guess the saved $20 could go towards ram costs.

Again, I guess it relies on the fact if I have to bump the vcore real high. I want to reach at least 2.1 ghz. Witht eh 2400+ I'd hope for 2.2.

But, along with this processor choice, comes my heatsink choice. I will either need to buy a new heatsink, or stick with my AX7. I want something that will stay cool under around 25-32 CFM. I would blow more (as I'd be using a rheobus ON the fan to control its speed) when I use the fan for heavy processing. I'd think the SLK800 would work well. But, I'm not sure. What do you reccommend?

Man, I'm also realizing, that with this upgrade to my motherboard and processor, it may require more than a 350w power supply.. :-\ I bought an Enermax 350w 365p-VE FMA back, wow, 1 year ago! LOL (I'm lookin at the invoice now). It's exact product id on newegg is: N82E16817103441 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.a ... 6817103441). Anyways, right now my 5 v line, which Enermax has ALWAYS had trouble with, has been stable (according to mbm) at exactly 5v. However, I'm only running a tbird 1.33 at 1.43. But, that PSU could be why I couldn't get my system stable at 145x11. (I tried, and got a BSOD on the VERY last test in 3dmark). I got it, because I could control the fan speed. I'm thinking the Vantec stealth would be ideal, but that beast ain't cheap. :-\ So, anotehr question arises, what psu should I get?!

Yikes, this is going to turn out to be more expensive than I thought. Oh well! LOL

Thanks for the help wvjohn.

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 11:35 pm

Ok, now I'm looking over at excaliberpc.com. I guess they gurantee the stepping codes. A lot more than Newegg, bu you get exactly what you want. But, what's the best stepping? All their 2100+ are Tbred B's, with the following stepping choices:

1. AIUHB:0247 - $96
2. AIUHB:0252 - $90
3. AIUHB:0301 - $90
4. AIUHB:0302 - $96

Note sure what the shipping is, but I'm, again, just looking. wvjohn, do you know? If not, does anyone else know? is it even worth it? I'm sure any tbred b I get from NewEgg will do me just fine.

Edit: Just calculated, and shipping ends up being $4 for the 4th one. I'd assume its $4 for all of them (UPS Ground).

So, what to do, what to do...

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 9:16 am

I have an 0248 stepping and it runs at 2336 @ 1.75v after burn in

not sure what the newer chips do, just check the 2100 overclcok threads at the usual places

i'm using a dr thermal with a 5k 60 mm fan and a 80 mm case fan blowing across the mobo and northbridge

i think my main rig has either a generic 450 w ps or a 350 enermax, can't remember (

)

i get low +5v ( 4.89) but what the heck, it;s been 100% stable at that speed for months

the barton was really an interim release - more cache is good for some stuff, but it limits the overclockability

as to the memory, I would get whatever good 3200/3500 is on sale - check the ususal sale boards - sometimes muskin has specials too, worth a look at their web site

i have 2x256 mushkin 3000 in another nforce system @ 166 6-2-2-2

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 1:46 pm

Ok, here's what I have so far:

Processor: Athlon XP TBred - 2100+ (1.73 GHz) <-- What I need to know is if the stepping really matters. Otherwise, I'll go with newegg and save myself $20. If a good stepping does matter, I'll spend the extra money for one at excaliberpc...

Heatsink: I think I might buy the SLK800 bolt type. That, or stick with my AX7. I do plan on lugging my system to LAN parties... So, if I did go the SLK route, I'd want the bolt kind. Input here?

Memory: I am deciding between 2 Corsair 512MB PC2700 Low Latency PT chips and 2 Corsair 512MB PC3200 Low Latency PT chips. There is a difference, the PC2700 is at 2-2-2-5-T1, whereas the PC3200 is at 2-2-2-6-T1. I got this off NewEgg. PC2700 - $120 shipped and PC3200 $142 shipped. making an overall $44 difference if I get both. Should I get the PC3200?

Hard Drive: I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the Maxtor DiamondMax 9 with 8MB Cache. This is currently $92 shipped on NewEgg. Over at StorageReview i was told it is, in fact, quiet. But, I wonder how well it really performs.... Input here?

Motherboard: I'm getting the A7N8X unless someone can change my mind.

Power Supply: Not sure on this. I'm aiming for an Antec TrueBlue. I want to add a window to my PSU. the TrueBlue would be pretty cool (380w ver I think?). Or, any Antec PSU for that matter. Or, would my 350w Enermax hold up?

That's it... LOL expensive upgrade. Again, I need opinions here. I don't want to buy this just yet, I'm going to sit on it, and see what people say before I buy it, opinion wise.

Thanks everyone!

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 11:17 pm

I want the SLK900U but that won't fit on an A7N8X! Arg!

How big is this thing, and are there any reviews on it? Which heatsink should I get?

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 9:14 pm

Umm, yeah. More opinions welcome? :-\