Well the first part is a question. Would an amd 2700+ 2.16ghz be considered an underpowered, nicely rounded, or just plain great cpu? I know that means opinions but Im just basically trying to find out if it is a good cpu. I have an abit nf-7 S. Im also kind of intimidated posting on here since I am new. My second question is would ir be safe to use the stock cpu cooler or should I blow 50 bucks on a nicer one? Thanks for the help.

2700 isnt too bad. I would say it's very powerful for the money. Even compared to the A64 it can still hold it's own against the lower-end A64's

The stock AMD coolers are sh1t. I don't even use them. They're great if you wanna cool a P3.

Stock coolers run hot, you could get a 100MHz OC on the stock cooler, but you would be dealing with some pretty high temps. A new Thermalright heatsink should gain you 2-400MHz.

You've got the makings of a pretty sweet rig there, man. I can testify that you have chosen your mobo wisely. I have a buddy with an older A64 3000 in the 754 pin variety who will not admit he is a little envious of the performance I enjoy with my rig.

Tycoon is totally right; the stock AMD coolers are absolutely perfect if you would like to weigh down paper on your desk, create modern art or just have something shiny to look at.

But if you want to do it right, check out Thermalright IMHO. I use an SLK900A and a Vantec Tornado 92mm fan. There are newer heatsinks out there, and the fan sounds like an F16 but it gets the job done.

I don't want to waste space so I might direct you for oc'ing details to the existing threads on that topic. There's a lot of talented people with pimp ass rigs here whose posts you will find very useful. Just be patient, do your homework and that motherboard will definitely do you right.

But to answer your question yes, you've got the beginning of a nice machine. Rock out with your clock out.

fWell its good to know that I have the makings of a good machine. Ive been looking at xoxide for cpu coolers, you say thermalright, I'll check those out. Im looking for something to keep it cool but I dont want to spend over 50 bucks and even then I would cringe writing that check.

Thermaltake silent tower 4 in 1. Seems like a nice cooler. Alot of good reviews, anyone have one?

There wouldnt happen to be a nifty program for windows xp that would show your cpu temp now would there?

Nice little program called "MotherBoard Monitor", or MBM.

HERE is the link.

Enjoy and welcome to PR.

Rob

yea mobo monitor works great and i believe that most if not all 2700s are unlocked

If I remember correctly all processors dated 4303 (week 43 year 2003) are locked and a small sample of 3503's too.

So your saying that I couldnt over clock this chip? 116 degrees farinheit after a couple hours of ut2k4. Would that be running on the hot side?

Quote: Originally Posted by post_break So your saying that I couldnt over clock this chip? 116 degrees farinheit after a couple hours of ut2k4. Would that be running on the hot side?

Just a quick hint...most computer geeks like us prefer to use the Celcius scale rather than the Fahrenheit scale. So, 116F would be just over 46C, which for an Intel might be a little too warm.

Here's a good link for converting...

LINK

Hope this helps,

Rob

Quote: Originally Posted by post_break So your saying that I couldnt over clock this chip? 116 degrees farinheit after a couple hours of ut2k4. Would that be running on the hot side?

Most people us Celsius here to quote temps, most CPU's will start flaking out above 50C load

Try using Folding@Home (PR is team 596 BTW) or Prime 95 to test for stability once you are overclocked.

Speed Fan is another great temp monitor program BTW

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

Oh, and grab CPUZ to see you actual clock speeds and other neet info (Click on all the different tabs)
Also Clock Gen if you want to play around with clock speeds for testing purpose, then when you find your sweet spot, make the changes in the bios.

http://www.cpuid.com/clockgen.php

EDIT: LOL @ Rob, we were posting at the same time

Quote: Originally Posted by post_break fWell its good to know that I have the makings of a good machine. Ive been looking at xoxide for cpu coolers, you say thermalright, I'll check those out. Im looking for something to keep it cool but I dont want to spend over 50 bucks and even then I would cringe writing that check. Thermaltake silent tower 4 in 1. Seems like a nice cooler. Alot of good reviews, anyone have one?

I had a buddy who had one...it worked well, but they're a little on the heavy side...especially loaded down with fans. Also, they're pretty tall! Not for people with cramped cases, just so you know. Also, not all AMD K7 mobos (I think that's what you had...I apologize if I am incorrect) come with mounting holes around the CPU socket. Take a look at your mobo; if you have no mounting holes, I don't believe you will be able to use one of those with your K7.

Quote: Originally Posted by j-dogg The stock AMD coolers are sh1t. I don't even use them. They're great if you wanna cool a P3.

Stock AthlonXP coolers are SPECTACULAR for K6-2's and K6-3 overclocking. You have to scrape off the thermal pad and put on some Arctic Silver though, since its too small for the massive heat-spreader on them.

Well that clock gen program doesnt seem to have a version for the abit nf-7 series. I have plenty of room in my case and a spare fan or two to double the air flow if I were to get that cpu cooler. And Rob, you say that 116 is a little warm for an intel, what about an amd?

Sorry, I switched to celsius. 42 at idle. 44 playing ut2k4

Quote: Originally Posted by post_break Well that clock gen program doesnt seem to have a version for the abit nf-7 series. I have plenty of room in my case and a spare fan or two to double the air flow if I were to get that cpu cooler. And Rob, you say that 116 is a little warm for an intel, what about an amd? Sorry, I switched to celsius. 42 at idle. 44 playing ut2k4

44C @ Load is Okay, I usually try to stay below 50C load as well whenver I'm OCing

Quote: Originally Posted by YohanSpritz Stock AthlonXP coolers are SPECTACULAR for K6-2's and K6-3 overclocking. You have to scrape off the thermal pad and put on some Arctic Silver though, since its too small for the massive heat-spreader on them.

Or you can pop off the heatspreader using a small Xcelite flathead screwdriver

Hmm, is it just me or is the a-bit nf-7 the popular vote around here? Seems like almost everyone has one. I am under 50C but something tells me that that isnt necissarily put me in the green zone.

My PC (2400+, NF7-S) runs around 45-55 day in and day out for about a year. Seems fine to me. Thats w/ a SP-97(3000RPM)

Well Im running under what you are so I should be in the green.