939 X2 4200+ upgrade

[mancunian]

Hey all,


I'm currently running a 939 Venice 3200+, but I can get an X2 4200+ for pretty cheap. The Venice is now clocked at 2.4Ghz, the X2 comes stock at 2.2Ghz.

I figured I should at least get the 2.4Ghz I got out of the Venice, with any benefits dual core might give.


It just seems like something I should do before these chips aren't available any more for Socket 939, it would certainly extend the life of this system.


Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[biostud]

Depends on you use of your PC, but if it's pretty cheap, why not?

 

[Sandan]

I have the x2 3800+ and have it running very stable at 2.4Ghz. 2.4 or above is pretty much a guaranteed overclock for the x2 3800+ Not sure about the overclocking abilities of the 4200. I saw a huge improvement over my 2400+ The Dual core allows you to multitask quickly and without freezes...Gaming is great also....Go for it...You can find the x2 3800+ cheap...

 

[betasub]

Impeccable logic, mancunian. Go for it!

 

[chaudx]

I went 3000+ Venice to am2 x2 3600+ (at 2.6) and it is pretty nice. More FPS in games, and much much better multitasking.
(But some of that is from going 1GB DDR - 2GB DDR2, new mobo)

 

[mancunian]

Well,


I picked up and X2 4200+ for the cheap price, along with a Freezer 64 Pro and some arctic silver. Have to go out again now but may try and install this baby later on tonight.

Anyone know anything about LCB9E stepping chips?

 

[sep]

I got the same chip and cooler. I suck at Overclocking so I'm stuck at core, but haven't really needed the OC....YET!

Post what you get,
-JC

 

[Amaroque]

You absolutely will have a "smoother" computing experience. I habe an X2 3800 in one system that is clocked at 2.4 GHz stock Vcore running DC 24/7, with the retail HSF. So if I were to guess, I would think you should get better, espically if you bump the Vcore.

 

[PianoMan]

I'd consider the minimum standard nowadays to be dual core, so going to one is a good move. If you switch windows/tasks alot, or have things running in the background while you surf, email, etc. - you'll like the switch.

I've switched to a C2D system on my main comp, since I do a lot of video encoding, and need the extra speed. My X2 3800+ system is still going strong, and while there might be a performance increase with games on a C2D, the X2 does just fine.

AC Freezers are the sheeyats, IMO. Good luck!

PM

 

[mancunian]

Well,


It's in, and it's now under load running Orthos stress test on both cores. Stayed at the stock settings for now, just wanted to test whether the cooler actually does its thing.

Not sure if this is good, but it's up to 40C after 10 mins. It idles at about 32C. Pretty sure that's what my Venice did, so that can't be bad. The Venice had a stock cooler, so it makes sense that with this better cooler that the temps are similar. An X2 runs hotter than a Venice I would have thought.

Think this is acceptable, perhaps somebody else is more knowledgeable.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Those temps are good. You should have no problem overclocking the 4200+, they seem to be guaranteed to run 2.5-2.6 with the average max overclock around 2.7. A lucky few have been able to get 3ghz out of them

 

[mancunian]

Thanks to all for your responses, they have been very helpful.

So would you all just dive in and clock her up? I know that's what I did with the Venice and it ran at 2.4Ghz since new, just wondering whether that'd be any different with this processor.

Is the theory that you should 'burn it in' still applicable?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I always overclock em right off the bat, I don't think a burn in is necessary

 

[chaudx]

Isn't the LCB9E stepping rebadged Optys? If so, they are supposed to OC well.

 

[mancunian]

Progress so far,


Up to what I had, 2.4Ghz (240 x 10). I would have been happy with that beforehand, didn't want to lose clockspeed. At least now I've got what I had before in that respect.

Temp now 42C under orthos stress test. Will certainly be trying for more.

 

[mancunian]

Originally posted by: chaudx
Isn't the LCB9E stepping rebadged Optys? If so, they are supposed to OC well.

Certainly hoping so.

Happy enough with this chip though as it is. Anything more is a bonus.


Cheers for replying.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: mancunian

Originally posted by: chaudx
Isn't the LCB9E stepping rebadged Optys? If so, they are supposed to OC well.

Certainly hoping so.

Happy enough with this chip though as it is. Anything more is a bonus.


Cheers for replying.

Lower your HT, pump that bus up! You should be able to reach and breach 2.6ghz without blinking.

 

[mancunian]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Lower your HT, pump that bus up! You should be able to reach and breach 2.6ghz without blinking.

Already done, now at 2.6Ghz, orthos running ok for about 30 mins now.

CPU seems to go to 42-43C under load.

Had to increase voltage to 1.4v as well.

But going ok.

 

[Zenoth]

Good thing.

My 4400+ refuses to be stable above 2.46Ghz. But no worry, I will replace that sucka for a Penryn Quad-Core in November or December (Crysis will bow to MY knees).

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: mancunian
Well,


It's in, and it's now under load running Orthos stress test on both cores. Stayed at the stock settings for now, just wanted to test whether the cooler actually does its thing.

Not sure if this is good, but it's up to 40C after 10 mins. It idles at about 32C. Pretty sure that's what my Venice did, so that can't be bad. The Venice had a stock cooler, so it makes sense that with this better cooler that the temps are similar. An X2 runs hotter than a Venice I would have thought.

Think this is acceptable, perhaps somebody else is more knowledgeable.

what case are you using? that is fantastic temps. I'm using an opteron 180 with a well-ventilated case and cnps9700led. I'm at 49/50 right now at stock running 2x seti.

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: Zenoth
Good thing.

My 4400+ refuses to be stable above 2.46Ghz. But no worry, I will replace that sucka for a Penryn Quad-Core in November or December (Crysis will bow to MY knees).

good luck since the only penryn quad core you'll be getting in that time frame is a QX6950 for something well in excess of the 1000 unit price of 999. the cheaper penryns won't be out until Q1

 

[Zenoth]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995

Originally posted by: Zenoth
Good thing.

My 4400+ refuses to be stable above 2.46Ghz. But no worry, I will replace that sucka for a Penryn Quad-Core in November or December (Crysis will bow to MY knees).

good luck since the only penryn quad core you'll be getting in that time frame is a QX6950 for something well in excess of the 1000 unit price of 999. the cheaper penryns won't be out until Q1

No one said, including me, that I wouldn't be able to afford one. I have been saving for a "complete upgrade" since I got that 4400+ last year, and I have a full time day job with a decent salary. There's no "good luck" applying to me.

 

[mancunian]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995

what case are you using? that is fantastic temps. I'm using an opteron 180 with a well-ventilated case and cnps9700led. I'm at 49/50 right now at stock running 2x seti.
[/quote]


Believe it or not, one of the crappiest, cheapest cases ever. I really would like a new one. However, the airflow inside this one is ok due to the way I have the fans set out.

In fact, I've just noticed that I hadn't even hooked up the rear exhaust fan. Will hafta get that running and see if the temps drop a little more.

The processor is now orthos stable at 2.64Ghz. The temps are 34C idle and 44C under load, doesn't go above 44C, dips down to 43 every now and then and back up again. Think I'll leave it like that for now.


I'm pretty pleased with this chip for just fifty English pounds.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Good job!:thumbsup:

I've ordered a 4200+ which arrives Friday to update my sons computer. I hope it clocks as well as yours

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: Zenoth

Originally posted by: bryanW1995

Originally posted by: Zenoth
Good thing.

My 4400+ refuses to be stable above 2.46Ghz. But no worry, I will replace that sucka for a Penryn Quad-Core in November or December (Crysis will bow to MY knees).

good luck since the only penryn quad core you'll be getting in that time frame is a QX6950 for something well in excess of the 1000 unit price of 999. the cheaper penryns won't be out until Q1

No one said, including me, that I wouldn't be able to afford one. I have been saving for a "complete upgrade" since I got that 4400+ last year, and I have a full time day job with a decent salary. There's no "good luck" applying to me.

wow, congrats on holding down a day job. I, too, have a job. I could easily afford to throw my money away on a QX6950, but why should I when I can wait a few months and spend 1/3 the price for 90% of the performance?