Which should I buy for OC'ing? 2.4C/2.6C/2.8C

[theory]

Bowing to the greater knowledge of XS forum goers... :D

I plan on getting the most bang for buck, and I will have a vapochill (160w version) and Abit IC7G with some GeIL PC3500 to go with it...

Which P4 chip should I buy?

I can't decide becase I want the FSB, but I also would like the best overclock...? Any suggestions?

[Amoeba Assassin]

if you have vapochill, go for the 3.0ghz one. you'll have 4 ghz easy

[Ewok]

the thing is you want to maximise the cpu overclock and as much as possible the memory overclock as well.

if you have good memory then a 3ghz p4 might reach its limit before you hit the limit of the memory so you wont get the most out of the memory. this is the only probem with overclocking intels, lack of multi makes it harder to work out what speed chip you should buy in the first place.

I think with good memory 2.8 is probably the most likely way to max fsb and cpu at closest to each other and 2.8's should still go to the same overclock as the 3.0's, and are a hell of a lot cheaper.

Im going to get a 2.8 i think.

[Zroc]

Vapo? 3.0.

Board/memory seems to be the only thing holding back the P4's, really. With phase cooling, get the highest multiplier. Clockspeed is more important than FSB.

14x275=3850 is your likely result from a 2.8.

15x261=3915 will match or beat that (in everything but Sandra, naturally).

However, 4GHz seems to be quite attainable with a 3.0...with the possiblity of more.

Henceforth, I say 3.0. For basically anybody phase cooling...

[theory]

Thanks for your replies so far, although I know I'm not going to pay the premium for the 3.0GHz, I am tempted by the 2.8 now...

I was thinking along the same lines as ewok when I posed this question, as I do want the FSB to go quite high... I'd hate for the CPU to hit its limit while the FSB was stuck at 240 or something.

I am also new to P4's, so any experience gained and shared is very much appreciated - if anyone has anything else to add I'd be very grateful.

Thanks again everyone :)

[Zroc]

Then definitely get the 2.8 if you don't wanna pay for a 3.0. You will hit the limit of your board before you hit the limit of your chip.

Sure...I did a little writeup about all this new P4 stuff (and compared it to Barton/nForce2). Give it a read...
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12734

[Ewok]

id get a 3.0 if the price dropped to 2.8 levels but i dont know when the 3.2 is out and its not gonna happen before that.

[Creative]

I just got myself a 2.8C and have her at 3600MHz stable with default Intel cooler. 3750 is highest into windows and can do some SuperPi and Sandra but not much else :)

IMO the 2.8 is just as good as the 3.0 in terms of ocing. Sure you might be 200mhz behind the 8-ball, but your certainly going to make that ground up when you start ocing. Sure the 3.0 *might* go higher, but there is no gurantee.

Get the 2.8C and with the saved some dosh, splurge and get some quality ram to go with your new cpu :)

[shogan191]

Creative, what would you consider to be quality ram for that board?

[Creative]

Originally posted by shogan191
Creative, what would you consider to be quality ram for that board?
With the rig in my sig or the new Intel?

With the new intel rig, the IS7, then anything with some Winbond 5ns chips on them will be ample. Twinmos, Corsair, HyperX or OCZ are my 4 ram of choice atm. Im currently using some HyperX myself :)

With the AMD rig, ive heard that the NF7-S Rev2.0 has major problems with HyperX so stay clear of HyperX if for an NF7-S Rev2.0 board. :) Even heard of a few Corsair problems too.

Im especially interested in that new OCZ GOLD stuff that is coming out soon :D

IF anyone thinks otherwise, then by all means speak up :)

[TASOS]

The 2.8C would be the best choice for now.

Very good performance with the Vapo ....and fair price.

[shogan191]

I am using the 2.8 now and have had it to 3.668=262x14. I can't get it past that no matter what I do. I'm using the slk900U and a smartcase fan 2 for cooling. I don't know how you guys figure out what's holding you back. Is anyone locking their AGP and if so where?

[theory]

I have got it to 256x14 (3584mhz) but I don't know what voltages to use... It seems as though the memory is thirsty (GeIL 433 CAS2 rated) but is 2.7 or 2.8v an ok amount to give it?

I've settled at 3083MHz for now with CPU at 1.575v and RAM at default voltage because I can run everything and the ram is fast like that (sync) but I want more :) what about AGP voltage, should I alter that ever? or is that only for when my AGP/PCI clocks aren't fixed at 66/33??

[leinad78]

i always lock my agp/pci or risk losing sound and other problems will become wrong with any mobo.....

and i just did this with a 2.4c on a IS7 2xkingston3500

could you please post the fpo/batach and the pack-date?

[theory]

I'm still learning the intel ropes, but I've managed to stay at 3.5GHz now and stable too @ 1.55v

I generally do stay with 66/33 fixed - do I need to alter my AGP voltage ever?

I've since learned that GeIL RAM is good for 2.8v but holy crapoly thats a high score you have there - my best yet is 5,400MB's/sec

What memory divider are you using?

[Boogotop]

2.6c are a good choice!

[Amoeba Assassin]

actually id say get the 2.8

[theory]

oh, er... btw guys I got the 2.8! ;)

[Kunaak]

I am way more interested in the 2.4C.

heres why.
I am crazy enough to cycle through a few dozen CPU's to find a one as good as maccis.
his is doing 320+ on the FSB.

now running 320 with the 5:4 you come to 256 and up.
this is incredible bandwidth...
most people are running 230 or near on the ram, so they have great speed but lower bandwidth.

taking a look at this score here...

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6602572

it really shows me that bandwidth is just as important as speed.
so while technically running 300 Mhz slower then the other top of the line scores, the bandwidth more then makes up for the speed.

plus, it would just be more fun to go for some insane FSB as well.

so thats my thinking.
2.4C... if your crazy enough to buy CPU after CPU till one does what you want. I went through 13 Xp 2100's before finally breaking 3 ghz with one. I wouldn't mind doing it again.

now I know you can do something like run a 3C at 256x15=3840 for 1:1 and get nearly the same effect...
but then again, you also have to spend 2 times as much for it.
then no super high FSB to play with :(
(regaurdless of ratio)

I realize, I am a big time Newb at P4's since I have only limited time with a 2.6C, but from what I have been seeing of the 2,4C it just reminds me of the Xp1700, and I like that :)

low price, and with alot of luck, some great performance.