Opinion on my upgrade trend...

[Sinnerman49]

Hey folks -

Well while my unit is hunkered down for this 2nd Hurricane, I'm spending hours and hours browsing forums and such trying to figure out the most cost-effective upgrade route.

Games I play - FS2004, FarCry, HL2, RTW

My current setup (Take note of some of the details):

Abit NF7-S v2
AMD Barton 2500+ (AXDA) Currently at 174x11 = 1.914ghz
512mb Corsair XMS 3200
512mb Generic Ram (Borrowed from a $300 budgetpc) ***
350W Generic Powersupply (Included in a $35 Aspire case)
Powercolor Radeon 9800 Non-Pro

I just spent $450 to buy:

512mb Matching Corsair XMS 3200 (To replace Generic Ram)
Fortron 550W Power Supply
Leadtek GeForce 6800 GT (Refurb)
Thermaltake Extreme Volcano 12+
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So heres where my mind is going. The 512mb of generic ram must be holding back my processor from o/c. I figure with the matching ram on it's way, I'll be able to pull around 2.2ghz out of the Barton. Obviously the 9800 non-pro isn't a stellar performer.

(Keep in mind I'm a ATI fan all the way, but the 6800gt was a great deal)
---------------------------------------------------------

My original idea was to spend around $1000 and go

DFI mb
Athlon64 3000+ (O/C to around...2.6ghz?)
new cooling
powersupply
X800XT-PE
OCZ Ram (1gig)



This way, I figure I dropped $450, and hopefully I'll see a nice jump in performance and be able to wait another 6-8mos before dropping money for a complete rebuild.

Opinions? What would you have done?

[GMX]

You bought an AGp 6800GT and Volcano 12 which you can't transfer to future system you wanted.

Is this upgrade just to tide you over?

You should be able to get 2.2ghz from your barton, but don't hope for much more. 2x512mb doesn't go well on Nf2, but you need it for your games.

All the other stuff you bought and have (PSU, memory), you can transfer to your other future system, that you will get.

The only thing holding you back right now would be CPU power. Just test and play around with your setup, tweak it as much as you can. See how your games go. If you want more just swap out CPU+mb+cooling.

[Sinnerman49]

In what ways does 2x512mb not work well? I was planning on using Slot 3 and 1 for Dual Channel.


EDIT: Oh, and yes, this is just to tide me over until DX10 etc.

[GMX]

In what ways does 2x512mb not work well? I was planning on using Slot 3 and 1 for Dual Channel.


OCing above 200fsb on NF2 with 2x512 has mixed results. Some are not stable over 200 at all. Some can reach 215-225 with 1T. 225-235 some poeple hit with 2t timing. People who hit 250fsb 1t with 2x512mb have very good boards, and i havn't seen this on an Abit yet.

[don_vercetti]

only 2.2ghz? I think 2.4ghz is a more likely target, if your RAM can take you high enough. I got my xp-m to 2.6ghz with my volcano 12, so yeah, 2.4 shouldn't be a massive push. With a 6800gt and xp 2.4ghz, then your rig should be fast enough for a while. Certainly fast enough for games and such. My rig used to be the same (virtually) and it was fairly nippy.

Generally, not a bad upgrade.

[don_vercetti]

im using an nf7, and iv got 2x512mb of bh-5 which can hit 260mhz on my nf4 with 3.2v. For fun, i shall see how far i can reach on my nf7 tonight.

[Sinnerman49]

To reach XP 3200+ speeds (2.2ghz) wouldn't I only need to hit 200fsb (11x stock multiplier)?

I havn't read of too many XP 2500 Bartons going above 2.2ghz (Although I'm sure some do...2.2ghz was my goal)

EDIT: It seems 2.4ghz is a more worthy goal, so it shall be. What is the difference in 1T vs 2T for memory? (Excuse my ignorance)


Thanks for all the quick replies!

[GMX]

To reach XP 3200+ speeds (2.2ghz) wouldn't I only need to hit 200fsb (11x stock multiplier)?

I havn't read of too many XP 2500 Bartons going above 2.2ghz (Although I'm sure some do...2.2ghz was my goal)

EDIT: It seems 2.4ghz is a more worthy goal, so it shall be. What is the difference in 1T vs 2T for memory? (Excuse my ignorance)


Thanks for all the quick replies!

Yes that's why i said 2.2ghz should be attainable, but over that, there is no guarantee and any sign of stability, even with 201fsb.

Example:
In my NF7 day, i had vdd mod, vdimm mod, lapped Northbridge, AMD heatsink(chopped to hit) on North bridge, Modded BIOS(tried most of D10 variants, D26, D23, D22 stuff). I received my 2x512mb CH UTT that i ordered from USA. Took out my PQI TCCD(2x256) which would do 241 fsb previously with the board just stock. I couldnt get much over 216fsb, i tried 2t timings and gained stability but not more than 220fsb. The 1gb was good, but i sold it and got some 2x256 Geil UTT than ran 256fsb max for me.



1T=1 command(cmd) rate
2T=2 command(cmd) rate.

A lower CMD rate is better, and on that DFI setup you could run 1t all you want over 200fsb.

The NF2 memory controller(on the chipset of the Nf7, not the CPU like A64) is pretty weak. When you add the burden of 2x512 plus higher fsb the chipset struggles greatly. 2T cmd rate relaxes it a bit. BUT there is a disadvantage, 2T rate in the AXP world equates to about 10-20mhz loss in performance(ie 230mhz 1T= 240-250mhz 2t).

[Sinnerman49]

I see, thanks for the info, I'm hoping I've got a winner.

[GMX]

im using an nf7, and iv got 2x512mb of bh-5 which can hit 260mhz on my nf4 with 3.2v. For fun, i shall see how far i can reach on my nf7 tonight.

I'd like to see your results :cool:

By any chance do you know the mfr week/year of your barton 2500 AXDA?

If it's pre week 39(im not sure on this figure) you can bump your multiplier higher to something like 11.5x while maintaining your 200fsb(or any 1t/2t 2x512mb stable fsb)

[don_vercetti]

oh its a mobile xp, thats no problem. I can take the multi to wherever i need, probs take it down to 10.5 (you get the best mem bandwidth there) while raising the fsb. I've certainly had 2x512mb stable at 215mhz before, and im sure i can do better. It's stable up to 2.7ghz, so i've got CPU headroom either way.

And i'll be interested as well, just to see if i can beat my old results.

[Sinnerman49]

A great question, I was wondering that myself - arn't the clocks locked on later weeks?

Here is the CPU info I can pull up here from my newegg order history..

AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Barton 333MHz FSB Socket A Processor Model AXDA2500DKV4D - OEM
(Serial #: 4.454901)


EDIT: Also, I wonder if putting some active cooling on the memory controlling chip (Southbridge or Northbridge?) would help with getting the 2x512mb past 200mhz. Currently there is none.

[don_vercetti]

after week 39 of 2003 then the multiplier is locked, and u can only OC with fsb. You can only find this date by looking at the chip itself, i think.

btw GMX i just realised you probs weren't talking to me in the last 2/3rds of your post...sorry.

[Sinnerman49]

I'll have to look on the chip when I'm cleaning it and putting on the new Heatsink. Couldn't I also just try to raise the multiplier to 11.5x in softmenu and see if it boots with an increased clock speed?

[don_vercetti]

yup that would work just as well.

[don_vercetti]

hmm crashed out at 235mhz. Won't run 2-2-2-11 either. Since i know it works 260mhz 2-2-2-5 in my dfi nf4, i think we can conclude that, yes, it doesn't like 2x512mb. Also, i've had it up to 265mhz with 2x256mb of RAM, just to add air to the flame.

[GMX]

hmm crashed out at 235mhz. Won't run 2-2-2-11 either. Since i know it works 260mhz 2-2-2-5 in my dfi nf4, i think we can conclude that, yes, it doesn't like 2x512mb. Also, i've had it up to 265mhz with 2x256mb of RAM, just to add air to the flame.

Was that crash at 235 just normal windows crashing or 3d?

Most of the time when i was playing with 2x512 it would be pretty stable, then screw up instantly in 3d. But yea it's pretty average with 2x512 to get 200-225 on an Nf7. The only board i have seen stable with 2x512mb was a few ppl running DFI Lp B.

265fsb is nice on an Nf7 :clap:

[don_vercetti]

no it was with SiSoft. I was just testing mem bandwidth. Windows seemed to work stabley enough. No corruption happily. Didn't try 3d, since im using a 9500 pro atm and can't really be bothered.
Anyway interesting experiment.

[Sinnerman49]

Interesting. I sure hope my CPU isn't clock-locked.

[GMX]

Interesting. I sure hope my CPU isn't clock-locked.
Write down your current BIOS settings

Give 11.5x or other non-standard multiplier a try(i prefer lower to make sure CPU doesnt crap out from lack of vcore).

If it doesnt boot clear CMOS, and load optimized default->save and exit, enter your older BIOS values.

[Sinnerman49]

Think I have BIOS 26 (Dunno if I was looking at the right numbers)

Yes my CPU is clock locked =(

Can anyone point me in the right direction for the best bios to use (Modded or whatever) and the best BIOS settings?

[don_vercetti]

Mantarays XT D26 worked well for me. Dunno where to find it, though.

[Sinnerman49]

Well here's an update. (Kind of a double post...but was getting good advice here...)

Using Mantarays D26 XT CPC ON
Multiplier x11
AGP Freq 66mhz
FSB/DRAM Ratio 6/6
CPU Interface Enabled

Timings 3.0-3-3-8
BIOS Cacheable: Enabled
Video RAM Cacheable: Enabled
AGP Aperture: 256mb
FSB Spread Spectrum: Disabled
AGP Spread Spectrum: Disabled
CPU Thermal Throttling: Disabled
Enhance PCI Performance: Disabled
AGP: 8x
Fast Writes Enabled

VDDR 2.9v
VChipset 1.6v
VAgp 1.6v

----- Trying for 200FSB
1.775v Posts....restarts before windows boots.
1.850v Posts....restarts at windows login sound
1.950v Posts....Appartently stable...

Temps under load are hovering at 49c-50c after running Prime95 for a few hours. At idle (Over night) temps dropped to 35c

VCore is still at 1.95v
FSB is 202mhz ... at 205mhz I get a system restart before windows loads.

I'm wondering if raising the voltage to the Northbridge will help...is that even an option?

What is the best method for taking the memory out of the equation? I tried using 1x512 of the version 5.2 XMS (Supposedly Samsung TCCD on version 4.2+) but I still had to same results.


As for cooling, I'm using a TT Volcano 12 with AS5 and an NB-1 on the NB
Both case sides are off and I have a small fan blowing cool air into the case.

Is there any danger with raising the VCore again or is the only danger from temp?

[i found nemo]

is ur chipset nforce2? also do you have an ami bios, or award ... do you have an abit board, cuz the unlocked multies din't work on dfi boards

[Sinnerman49]

Yes nForce 2 - Modded bios, Award I believe. The chip is clock-locked.