Intel n00b! An AMD drone would like to convert. Pls help!

[Crazymofo]

Well, I am thinking of selling my system and buying an intel board and proc. I have two sticks of Kingston HyperX and would like to use them in dual channel. I'm pretty sure that the chip to buy right now is the 2.4b, no? What board would you buy and why? The main thing I want is stability and ofcourse a good OC. It's going to be watercooled, just not sure how the whitewater does on intel chips...

So please recommend some boards and if I should get a different chip.

Thx,
CM

[twiztdskatr]

See my sig?

[JeffPH]

I would suggest an IC7 too with a P4 2.8C chip. Or you can try a springdale if budget is a bit tight.

PS Am setting up my new system, First time with AMD.... i got myself a cheap proc athlon 2100+ TB, cant decide what mobo yet, No abit in our country my choices are ASUS a7n8x deluxe, EPOX 8rda+ or 8rda3+ or MSI 7KN2-delta. I would need your help here.

[JBELL]

2.8c or 2.4c

I heard great things about both.

[Zroc]

With watercooling, I'd go at least with a 2.6, possibly a 2.8. Probably wouldn't recommend a 2.4 (your board/memory will run out before your chip does) or a 3.0 (your chip will run out before your board/memory does).

Assume going in you'll top out somewhere around 275 FSB (if you get higher, great! Just don't go in EXPECTING higher...).
2.6 would be 13x275=3575...pretty reasonable for watercooling.
2.8 would be 14x275=3850...might be a bit of a stretch for 24x7 reliablity on water. However, if you settle in at, say, 3700 (14x265), you'll still be faster than the 2.6 at 13x275=3575.

So 2.6 if you wanna maximize your money...2.8 if you want to reach your full potential.

Board? IC7 is a really good bet (or IC7-G, if you want the CSA gigabit LAN and extra SATAs).

If you just wanna learn more in general about it, check out the roundup:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12734

[twiztdskatr]

Hey! Its bandwidth city tho :D

[Major]

Crazymofo I agree get you a 2.6 or 2.8 depending on budget.

As far as the mb, I think the Asus is out performing the abit but I think either are great boards and its still early for bios refienment so in the end I think the abit will catch up.

Take it from a very recent convert myself, no matter what chip/mb combo you pick you will not be disapointed ! These boards rock !

[Crazymofo]

Cant wait!! Thanks for the info guys.

JeffPH, I would go 8RDA3 or A7N8X. I have no clue on the MSI its not a popular board round here.

mmm, canterwood and 2.8 running at 3.6 or so, sounds like fun:D

Do you think I should get better memory or can I get pretty high with PC3000?

[JeffPH]

thanks mofo :)

get a pc3700 or wait a bit for the newer memories :)

[theory]

PC3500 usually has tighter timings though...