New build - are these ok?

[notfub]

I’m thinking of putting together a system based on the following components and would appreciate comments on their suitability.

So far it’s;
Mobo : Asus A7N8X Deluxe nForce2
Cpu : AMD Athlon XP2500+ OEM
cpu cooler : Vantec VA4-C7040 AMD Aeroflow Cooler
ram : TwinMOS 512MB (2x256MB) DDR PC3200 Dual Channel Kit
case : Antec SLK3700AMB Metallic Bronze Quiet Midi Tower Case (includes 350W PSU)
hdd : Samsung 80GB SATA

I already have a CDR/W drive, monitor, keyboard and graphics card (Abit Siluro T400 64mb). I’ll be upgrading to a DVD writer and new graphics card in around six months when I’ve saved up some more cash.

I am hoping to get additional performance from the setup by overclocking the Athlon CPU. I don’t want to push the kit to it’s max but would like a faster stable set-up for general PC duties.

I’m assuming that the Athlon 2500 will be locked so what sort of speeds could I expect to run using the TwinMOS 3200 RAM?

I’ve chosen the case due to it’s 2x120mm fan capability, Antec 350wPSU and keen pricing, even though the colour is a little odd.

I would appreciate any thoughts, comments or advice from forum members before I take the plunge and buy the above kit.

Thanks,
notfub

[Moby-Dick]

Can your budget strech to 2x512 meg memory chips ? The extra memory would be an advantage.

[mike_w]

If the 2500+ is locked then you can only change the FSB (I think). By default, the 2500+ has the FSB set at 166mHz. You should be able to overclock it to 200mHz.

[Platty]

the extra memory would be nice. Personally i would get the leadteck NF2 board or the abit.

[notfub]

Moby-Dick,
The 1gb kit will cost me just over £110, compared to the £56 for the 512mb kit so not a huge difference in cash. I may be tempted after all but I've got to draw the line somewhere mate ;o)

Mike_w,
Thanks for the feedback. If the multiplier is locked at 11 can you set the bus speed to 200Mhz, giving a frequency of 2200mhz (equivalent to the XP 3200+)? Is this a sure fire thing with the 2500+ CPU or do you need to just get a lucky one? I am also guessing that the CPU voltage will need a small hike in order to reach and stay at 2200mhz?

Platty,
The Asus seemed to give me everything I wanted, including good on board sound. I know that ABIT make great boards but have been put off the AN7 by a few posts on here. Never seen anything on leadteck before, any reason why this would be a better buy than the Asus? Thanks Platty.

Cheers,
Notfub

[Trash Man]

Stick with the Asus m8, it's a great board. And I would deffo get the 1gb of memory.

[SilentDeath]

if you get the asus make sure its the rev2, the first ones didnt all make 200fsb...
id go for the nf7-s tbh, infact, i did, twice
both of my boards can do 225fsb atleast, stable.

[notfub]

Thanks for all the comments, looks like i'll be doing a little shopping in the next few weeks ;o)

Happy New Year!