need a microBTX mobo for a 6300 overclock

[thumper26]

reason for the specific mobo size is I have a Dell Dimension 5150, and I love the chassis size and layout for cooling, etc. It's very quiet and compact, which are both very important to me. Also, there are few to no aftermarket cases that I like. I like the clean straight through airflow design, and my Zalman compliments that.

I currently have:

7900GT graphics card
2GB (2x1) g skill ram, DDR2 800MHz, 4-4-4-12 timing
Antec NeoHe 500 Watt ps
Zalman CNPS9500AT HS link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118003

ANTAZONE AS-N1000 Northbridge Heatsink link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835701003

I plan on trying to OC this proc to at least 3.2 if possible. However, due to the MicroBTX form factor, my mobo choices are limited. I'm looking at getting an Intel DQ965CO board. Will I be able to have a decent OC with this? Here's a link to the board:

http://falconsoft.com/item/38933D

I'd like to order parts by the end of the week if this is a good match. I'm currently running the Dell setup with a 3.0 HT P4 and the 945 chipset. Dell hella locks down their BIOS, so no love there.

edit: for what it's worth, i've been a systems admin for about 6 years now, so i'm comfortable tearing down a pc, etc, but i've never done an overclock before. i've been googling like crazy trying to make sure i get the right thing. is there software to help you do an OC? any info on that would be great as well!

 

[thumper26]

Good luck with that. Intel was the only manufacture making BTX boards and Dell was about the only company that built systems around the form factor. Well both companies have dropped the BTX form factor. So You will have a heck of a time finding a new board.

i've found new boards, my question is will they allow me to overclock my 6300 like i want?

 

[Anoobis]

No, and that Zalman is a rip-off.

 

[thumper26]

No, and that Zalman is a rip-off.

suck.

and is the zalman a rip off for the price or for the performance? i know zal's are expensive, but i liked the design. plus a few dollars difference isn't really that big of a deal to me.

 

[Anoobis]

For it's performance I would put it at the $45 level, shipped. It's not that Zalman makes sh!tty products, they just overprice them badly. For $60 you can get units that make the Zalman's performance look like something made from aluminum cans. I actually like the look of it too, unfortunately looks are usually low on the priority level when considering overclocking.

As for a motherboard, Micro ATX boards are usually meant to be used in simple office computers or HTPCs so they're not geared for an enthusiast. They often have very basic chipsets and BIOSs designed to just get the job done and nothing else. The situation gets worse with BTX.

Sorry man.