I've just bought a new system (actually parts to it, will build it myself). I bought a PC Chips M848ALU motherboard and Athlon XP 2700+ with 333FSB. They were bought from www.newegg.com (Best site I've ever seen, full system including 128MB video and 512MB ram costs less than $400, just have to build it myself). The processor specs are: Specifications: Model: AMD Athlon XP 2700+ Core: Thoroughbred Operating Frequency: 2.17GHz FSB: 333MHz Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/256K Voltage: 1.65V Process: 0.13Micron Socket: Socket A Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+ Packaging: OEM (Processor Only) It doesn't specifically mention "QuantiSpeed", is that in all Athlon XP processors or just some, and I happened to get one without it? I got a video card: Chipset: ATI RADEON 9200SE Memory: 128MB DDR BUS: AGP 1X/2X/4X/8X Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(Composite Out) Support 3D API: DirectX 8.1, OpenGL Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048x1536 Retail Box (See pics for details) Doesn't mention in the specs, but the picture shows an S-Video port too. The CPU fan/heatsink: Compatibility: Intel: Up to P4 3.2G; AMD: Up to Athlon XP 3400+ Dimensions: Fan: 80 x 80 x 25mm, Heatsink: 62 x 80 x 42mm Bearing Type: Sleeve Nominal Speed(RPM): 2500 Air Flow(CFM): 27.6 HeatSink Material: Skived aluminum fins Connector: 3 Pin Noise(dBA): 24.6 Features: 4 x blue Fan LEDs, Black frame silver blades, "Flower shape" fan blade design for extra silence I also got OCZ Ultra 5+ Silver Thermal Compound. I've already printed the application instructions from their website, seems fairly simple. The reviews of the processor are all good on the site, one person says they overclocked to 3200+? With my equipment, is this feasible? And should I get a video card heatsink/fan? I've already bought an extra rear slot case fan, the case comes with a fan on the side panel, and the CPU fan has 27.6 CFM rating. I was too busy buying it to think about overclocking stuff at the time and how high quality heatsink/fan stuff to buy, is what I'm getting good enough, or will I need to buy something better (If I need better stuff, and anybody wants the parts that I wouldn't be using, email me and I'll sell them to you)? Random off-topic question: I've tried to correct my signature 5 times now, and it just refuses to save the new one, even if I remove everything and try to save a blank signature. Any ideas to fix that? :) VIA C3 GigaPro 733MHz (embedded) 256MB PC-133 CL-3 ECS P6VEM2 mobo Iomega ZIP-100 ATAPI/EIDE Polaroid 40x16x48 CD-RW Windows ME / 2000 Debian/GNU Linux 3.0r2

Last question 1st...you have to dump your cookies, then relogin to this site All Athlon XPs have QuantiSpeedâ„¢ architecture: http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/SellAMDProducts/0,,30_177_3532_3839%5E4576,00.html I'm afraid you may be disappointed with your choice of video cards, especially if you're into gaming. The 9200SE is a 64-bit card & will perform poorly....

I just bought a Nvidia FX5200 (128MB). Now I need to know about overclocking, what kind of heatsink/fan I should get for the video card, if needed (preferably as quiet as possible, this computer is in the same room I sleep in and I have P2P stuff left on at night). Are RAM heat-spreaders necessary? I seem to recall reading someplace that lots of RAM heatsinks/spreaders make it worse than without them... VIA C3 GigaPro 733MHz (embedded) 256MB PC-133 CL-3 ECS P6VEM2 mobo Iomega ZIP-100 ATAPI/EIDE Polaroid 40x16x48 CD-RW Windows ME / 2000 Debian/GNU Linux 3.0r2

Well Gordon, the FX5200 is not a great improvenment over the ATI se card series. If you want to try and overclock it, type "overclock fx5200" into google and that'll keep you busy reading how to void your warranty for several days. IMO ram heatspreaders as an add-on cooling solution aren't worth the effort nor the money. If they come on the chips, leave 'em on. Good luck with your rig but remember that low dollar video cards don't give good performance. They will get you by until you can afford better. Skip

I am playign Far Cry with all but one setting on max, at 1024x768 with my Geforce FX5600. It is just about capable. Same applies to Halo. Just about scrapes it. But... It is not realy great. Few jumps and pauses every now and then. My machine is top notch, so what I am saying is.... you really do have to drop about $200 on a card worth talking about (Radeon 9800 or Geforce FX5900).

Hi Gordon i've been playing with an Xp 2700+ all day using "pc2700" ram, various multi's and fsb's with 1.66 v-core, seems to work ok at 2.34ghz using 180 fsb X 13 multi was stable at 2.32ghz with 166 fsb X 14 multi, managed too boot at 180 fsb X14 multi 2.52ghz but computer crashed as soon as i opened any programs, could be voltage or ram problem so will up the v-core tomorow and use some "pc3200" ram, I will try my best to burn it out and let you know what the max fsb/multi and voltage was before it died.(if it does die) works very nice at 166fsb X 13.5 multi and it shows as XP 2800+ 2.25ghz with this setting with CPU-Z and PC wizard. BTW the bios jumper has been on and off more times today than i can remember.I don't believe OCing is generally a good idea if you just spent loads of cash and don't want to mess something up but it can be fun if you have 6 computers just kicking around the house and a very nice friend that sold you 3 XP 2700+'s for £40. SORRY guys not selling anything. BO-YAK-ASHA

The max I could get that was almost stable was 2.4ghz but was getting too hot "volcano 12 and the fan on full speed" and shutting down from time to time if running more than two or three progs. 1.8 v-core 200fsb 12 multi. Didn't notice any difference in performance with any of the settings I used. I would suggest 1.66 v-core 166fsb x13.5 "standard is 166fsb x13" but if you want to play around with it that is your choice. If you don't want to break it don't mess with it. My little experiment is something I would never have done if it was with the only CPU i had. BO-YAK-ASHA