noobs overclocking rig

[apt403]

hey, so I basiclly want to learn how to overclock a system but i want to do it with cheaper hardware so If i fry the thing on accident i wont have much invested. I read the "4 GHz Dual Core Gaming Rig For $720" article from a couple of months ago and the prices seem to have gone down a little since then. the P4's seem like good overclockers but im not opposed to AMD. the graphics aren't that important as long as i can get semi-decent frames with some eye candy turned up, im used to ATI but it might be interesting to see what a nVidia system could do.

How safe are water cooling systems? ive never installed one before because im afraid the thing is just going to spring a leak one day and start spewing water all over my system. as long as I dont fry the thing i'll either give it to one of my friends or keep it as a backup gaming rig. Id like to keep it at around $650 to lower the fear that will be in the back of my skull as I push the clock speed higher and higher but I can go as high as about $750.

thanks guys ive been wanting to overclock a system for a while now but this is the first time ive had enough extra cash to do it confidently.

 

[_TOMO_]

you want to forget about the P4's, core 2 is the one you want and they perform amazing at stock but when overclocked there monsters.just take a look at the tomshardware cpu charts.

with core 2 heat is not really a problem so water is abit overkill, there are some really good air coolers out at the minute that would be ideal.

 

[apt403]

i have put alot of though into building a C2D rig but i cant seem to get it lower than about $850 thats why i was thinking of a p4 or lower end AMD system but you guys could get a core 2 duo build down to my price point that would be great!

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 -$180.00
OCZ Gold 1GB 240-Pin -$109.99
connect3D Radeon X1800GTO -$151.99
MSI 975X Platinum Socket T -$169.99
Hitachi deskstar 160GB OEM -$52.67
Antec Truepower 480W -$79.99
Sony N82E16827131031 OEM -$30.99
Sunbeam Transformer -$77.99
-------------------------------------------------
Total $853.61

 

[toasty2]

Lower the video card, I really doubt you can tell between 40 and 80+ FPS. Something around $100 would be good.

 

[apt403]

something like a Radeon X850XT or X800GTO?

 

[_TOMO_]

also to save cash you could drop that MSI mobo and go for a GIGABYTE DS3.

I think the ram you have chosen has alot of compatibility issues with a few INTEL boards.

for graphics you can save by going with a eVGA 256-P2-N615-TX Geforce 7600GT 256MB for $132.99 at newegg

 

[toasty2]

something like a Radeon X850XT or X800GTO?

Yes, those a great cards! I'm getting a X850XT PE soon so that I can do dual monitors at a low price The X800GTO is very good too. Especially since one can be had at $86. Choose one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?Category=38&N=2000380048+1305520549+1069609641+106790821&Submit=ENE&Nty=1&SubCategory=48&CompareItemList=N82E16814131007%2CN82E16814102688%2CN82E16814102059%2CN82E16814102052

 

[apt403]

ok i think ill go with the sapphire X850XT for $119.

I think the ram you have chosen has alot of compatibility issues with a few INTEL boards.

ok what kind of RAM do you recommend?

 

[_TOMO_]

G.SKILL 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
$124.99