Weekly Buyer's Guide: Overclocking System - March 2004
by Evan Lieb on March 10, 2004 6:07 PM EST- Posted in
- Guides
Overclocking System Summary
| Hardware | Component | Price |
| CPU & Cooling | AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Mobile (OEM). SLK-947U HSF + Vantec Fan | $151 |
| Motherboard | ABIT NF7-S Rev.2 (nForce2 Ultra 400) | $98 |
| Memory | 2 X 512MB Mushkin PC3500 CAS2 | $215 |
| Video Card | 128MB Gigabyte Radeon 9600 Pro | $138 |
| Monitor | Samsung 955DF DynaFlat CRT | $200 |
| Computer Case | Kingwin K11 Aluminum ATX plus $68 430W Antec PSU | $138 |
| Sound Card | Creative Labs Audigy 2 6.1 OEM | $70 |
| Speakers | Logitech Z640 5.1 | $62 |
| Networking | Onboard 10/100 Ethernet or 10/100/1000 Gigabit controller | $0 |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital 1200JB (120GB) | $87 |
| CD-RW | Plextor 52x32x52 CDRW | $44 |
| Bottom Line | - | $1203 |
$1203 is the final price of our overclocking system, not including any money you'll spend on software (Windows XP Home or Professional, Office, etc.) or a keyboard and mouse.
Long-time overclockers are absolutely going to love a setup like this. They'll have quality DDR that they can use for many months, if not years, to come, and will enjoy great performance and stability at the same time. Beginning overclockers should consult our forums for more information on how to overclock, as it can be dangerous for inexperienced users. What we've talked about in this guide may be difficult to understand if you don't have some type of background in modern day overclocking, making AnandTech's forums (or any good online hardware forum, really) the best place for you to ask for building advice.
UPDATED March 18th, 2004
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KristopherKubicki - Saturday, March 13, 2004 - link
Soundstorm for me!Kristopher
OdieQ - Friday, March 12, 2004 - link
I see that you always recommend Creative sound cards. I have found that Creative produce cards of consistently lower quality than for example M-Audio or Terratec, at about the same price point. Now, I haven't tested Creative cards for a while, have they significantly increased their quality? What do the SoundBlaster cards offer that the alternatives do not?roostercrows - Friday, March 12, 2004 - link
zebo... took your advice on the mobile. did it, got it, thank you! all that's left is to decide on the video card. "to spend or not to spend? that is the question." no time to hurry. ;)Zebo - Thursday, March 11, 2004 - link
roostercrows...you need to go to newegg.com click shop by catagory, click processors, click amd moblie... they have both t-bred and barton cores...Better hurry.:)roostercrows - Thursday, March 11, 2004 - link
Nice job Evan, the article was worth waiting for.Noob that I am, I can't seem to find anyone selling the "mobile" version of the 2500+. I called all the suppliers listed at the top of the "CPU" page and the buyer for one very well known e-tailer told me that "We didn't think that it would sell so we don't carry it". AMD told me that it was "just for lap-tops and not really sold to the public. Hmmmmmm?
I are confused!
Please tell me where I can purchase one online? I promise that I won't tell anyone you told.
siamesenick - Thursday, March 11, 2004 - link
Evan, I was talking about the replacement for Black Level II, not actual level II: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?descript...Hugenstein - Thursday, March 11, 2004 - link
The ram...http://www.excaliberpc.com/product_info.php?cPath=...
araczynski - Thursday, March 11, 2004 - link
overall a very nice primer for those looking to jump into the hobby.I would question the logic of putting a 9600 level card into a speed demon as it pretty much nullifies the whole point of the overclocking in the first place i would imagine, i mean i can't imagine people overclock so their excel spreadsheets calculate faster....
i realize the 9600 level (and the alternative from nvidia 5700/5800?) aren't exactly slowpokes, but with prices right now there's no reason for an overclocker to go below 9800/5900.
my humble opinion anyway :)
i like the article though. i'm more then happy with my little 2.4 @ 3.3 (zalman 7000cu on the way though ;)
Jeff7181 - Thursday, March 11, 2004 - link
Now if only I could find the Muskin Twin pack you mentioned for the price you quoted...Jeff7181 - Thursday, March 11, 2004 - link
Very well put together, Evan. I was a bit skeptical about whether it would be a useful article... what I was looking for was RAM recommendations since I just ordered a Mobile XP2500 and my current RAM won't do more than 208 Mhz no matter what the timings or voltage. I was considering the Mushkin you recommended, and it looks like a very attractive deal, especially considering AT users get an extra 10% off directly from Mushkin. I'd prefer PC3700 though cause I've already tested my current mobo and CPU at a 233 Mhz FSB, my RAM just can't get there, I'd definately like to run at that speed with the new Mobile XP2500 that's coming. I considered OCZ, but the timings didn't look that great to me, especially for the price. I wonder if OCZ might offer a 15% discount for AT users??? :) (hint hint)