Help me choose an XP-M setup :)

[rc55]

Hi,

I've been thoroughly intrigued by this whole Athlon XP-M overclocking thing however I haven't ventured into clocking since lapping down Celeron 300A's and running them at 550Mhz - I never looked into the stepping thing so I need just a little help with choosing what kit to buy.

The motherboard I like is the NF7 2.0 - I hear its great for clocking and stable too, plus the nForce2 chipset I've seen already and really like. Will it be fine with my Bob OEM Ati Radeon 9200 however or shall I go back to my GeForce 3 Ti 200?

CPUCity seem to have two different chips I can choose from:

AMD ATHLON XP-M 2400+ SKT-A OEM BARTON (Mobile)Unlocked £65.21 (inc VAT) £55.50(ex VAT)

1.35v AXMD2400FJQ4C AQYHA0413VPMW 35w

-- or --

AMD ATHLON XP-M 2500+ SKT-A OEM BARTON (Mobile)Unlocked £66.74 (inc VAT)
£56.80(ex VAT)

AXMH2500FQQ4C IQYHA0407VPMW

Which would be best and yeild the highest OC performance?

Thirdly, what would be the best RAM and cooler to match these up with? I'm thinking of going for around 512Mb - Will I need that 400 stuff?

Many thanks in advance!

Ruairi

[BUFF]

With an NF7 you will probably need to do an L12 mod with a Mobile if you are trying for high fsb. Also imho the extras of the NF7-S are worth the extra £s over the basic NF7.
Either card should work fine in it.

I would probably go with the XP-M2400 as it is a lower voltage but not much in it really.

Best cooler would be a Thermalright SP97 if you can afford it - a better value solution is a Tt Volcano 12.

As for RAM if you are going for 512Mb you are better to get 2x256Mb rather than 1x512Mb.
If you are going to go for high fsb then you probably are better with PC3500 or 3700 (but not CAS 3 stuff intended for Intel boards).

[rc55]

Buff,

Thanks for the reply... where can I find out about this L12 mod?

Ruairi

[CrapshoT]

Here's a handy little site with alot of info about the NF7-S.It's where i go for my info.. http://www.logan.eclipse.co.uk/abit_nf7_(s)_v2_0.htm

[Platinum]

AS for the CPU, ive got the 2500+M running in a SN45G Aircooled @ 2.5GHz! , Highly recomended

[funnelhead]

me too, very good chip. get the 2500 as its only a quid more. Ur graphics should be fine....


have fun

f

[jakeshaw123]

amen to that

[rc55]

The NF7 mod looks mighty scary - is it worth it for the performance gain - I mean - is everyone here doing it? How far could I push it with or without the mod?

In hindsight its a simple mod, I'll go for it..!

Ruairi