a faster overclock

[bigKr33]

Is it true that if you have the same cpu, that the one with a higher fsb of 270 with a 10x multiplier is faster than the same cpu with a 245 and a 11x multiplier? There both technically the same effective speed of 2700mhz. So would this also mean that the overclock with a 270fsb need more voltage even though its the same effective speed?

I really really want to get an 165 or 170 opteron, and i want to get it for these reasons. 1- They overclock mad from what i hear, relativly cheap for the performance you get.
2- more stable (don't know if thats true or not).
3- future support for games.
4- And I hear they run cooler too
5- stopped production

Alot of people have told me before to just wait for am2, but i dont' want to spend money for a new cpu, memory, and a board. I want to get as much out of my current pc as possible. My pc is very high end, and i think that by having a dual core already and overclocking it to 2.5-2.7ghz at each core will do its justice for future titles such as ut07, and crysis. I also want to have my rig set up so by the time those games come out all i have to do is a buy a shader 4.0 card, and will be set running games in all their glory. The only downfall about my setup is my board because it only has 2 pci slots which happen to already be ocupied by my sound card, and wireless card , this is a problem because i want to get a ageia physics card. Hopefully they make them for pci x4 or 1x

So is it really worth it to get an opteron? If so which one the 165 or 170.

Thanks guys all of your replies with my past topics have been great and very helpful. I couldn't tell how much i've learned just posting on hear. Much appreciation

 

[bigKr33]

anyone?

 

[n7]

If you're not multitasking heavily or doing video-based stuff that's multithreaded, the benefits of switching to dual core might be slim now.

But with future titles utilizing both cores, if you want to do an upgrade now, go for it

If you don't plan on extremely high OCs, the 165 would be great.
The 170 is a safer bet though, simply since it'll be able to OC w/o any mobo HTT issues.

 

[bigKr33]

Is the 170 you think safer because of the 10x multiplier?

I really am considering getting it, but is it worth the $400 compared to the $325 165. I know my board can handle the high overclocks. I heard that the 165 and the 170 overclock about the same speed.

 

[n7]

Yeah, in that case, then get the 165.

The 165 will more than likely OC just as high as the 170 as long as the mobo doesn't hold it back.

 

[bigKr33]

Thanks

 

[bigKr33]

I was just recently informed though chances are there is no good steppings availiable for the opteron 165. I heard there are no good steppings left (literally).

So would i be stuck not getting a good overclock? I like a good high overclock with low volts. I'm not the kind person that likes to get into the 1.5v range, temps get too high, even on my heatsink.

 

[furballi]

The 270MHz FSB will probably force you to go to a lower RAM speed. This will cause a performance hit in the area of 50MHz core speed.

 

[bigKr33]

So it would probably be better to run a 250x11. Because right now i've been testing my cpu to 275x10 and its running great. Ram is at ddr500 3-3-2-8.

So you're saying that i could get a little better overclock with a lower fsb and a high multiplier?

If so then i might do some changes

 

[svsnow]

ok first of all ...
165,170, w/e they are all equally stable .lol
next the lower fsb with higher multi vs high fsb low multi..no diff... except ram ratio/speeds..
if ur mobo sux it may max out at a certain fsb... that is why people get higher multi ..or they think 10x multi is so much easier than 9x..which its not.
the only reason to get a 170 is if u think its got a better stepping..ive seen em clock all teh same...mine hits 2.6 on 1.325V
2700 on 1.35 and 2800 on 1.45 and 2900 on 1.5 ish
so wut gives? its all luck..
also no more good steppings? well if u think this is an issue go get an 3800+
i hear the new ones are getting insane clocks....

 

[bigKr33]

The reason i don't want to get a 3800 x2 is because of the small cache. If i'm able to git 2.6ghz with a relativly low voltage then i'm happy. As long as i'm not getting into the 1.5v range.

And by luck do you mean steppings?

I know my board can do high overclocks, thats what dfi's are known for and thats why i got it. Really it all comes down to, "what cpu to get 165 or 170", but hey if you said that they both overclock about the same then count me in for a 165. I'm not too worried about the 9x multiplier, i'm just worried that i might have to go too high of a voltage (well atleast to me) to reach 2.6ghz (atleast on each core). My goal would be to hit 2.7ghz on each core w/out touching 1.5v.

Sorry for being to paranoid about this

 

[nib95]

Originally posted by: furballi
The 270MHz FSB will probably force you to go to a lower RAM speed. This will cause a performance hit in the area of 50MHz core speed.

I had that problem. But I just used a ram divider of 8/9 instead of lowering memory timings and speeds.

 

[bigKr33]

I'm using a divider for my overclock. Its at a 9/10 divider. Oh and nib95, nice setup on your computer. What voltages are you using for your opty?

I went to Fry's electronics today and they said there getting dual core opty's in very soon, so hopefully i can request a stepping or something. The guy i talked to at fry's that works there is also planning on getting a opty 165 or 170.

 

[JSFLY]

Taken from DFI-Street overclocking guide:

"The rule was to clock your multiplier up on unlocked cpu's to find a mhz ceiling, then drop the multiplier all the way down and ratchet up your FSB to find your RAM/CPU's max FSB...Then tried to match it up in a most optimal way to get the MOST FSB while getting the MOST Mhz."
http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20823

Thus 270 10x is better than 245 11x.

Imo if you've got a good cooling setup, go with the 165. Try to get 550 steppings if you can.

 

[bigKr33]

Originally posted by: JSFLY
Taken from DFI-Street overclocking guide:

"The rule was to clock your multiplier up on unlocked cpu's to find a mhz ceiling, then drop the multiplier all the way down and ratchet up your FSB to find your RAM/CPU's max FSB...Then tried to match it up in a most optimal way to get the MOST FSB while getting the MOST Mhz."
http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20823

Thus 270 10x is better than 245 11x.

Imo if you've got a good cooling setup, go with the 165. Try to get 550 steppings if you can.

Nice find and all, but they recommend to keep the 939's HTT at or around 2000mhz?''
How do you do that? If the 939's have memory controllers, don't you only have to be between 1600-2000 HTT which puts me right at 1650 because my cpu is at 275 now.

And just another thing about your recommendation, How do you get a 550 opty if their all gone And i refuse to buy a used opty because i know it will have been tampered with. Do you know if theres any news on current steppings and if their any good? I honestly prefer getting a opty 165 just simply because of the price. $400 is pushing it for a 170 opty cpu, but if theres better steppings for it right now I'll get one. I just don't want to touch 1.5v, too high for my taste. Like i said my goal is 1.475 max to hit 2.6-2.7 on an opty. I know my goal is a bit far fetched, but thats just me being me. I don't know what stepping my 3700 is, but all i know is that (in the bios) its set to 1.45v (shows as 1.41 in everest, sisoftware, and 1.408 in cpu-z). I stopped prime95 after 28hrs
on the large FFT test and passed with no warnings or errors. I also stopped the test after 15hrs+ on the blend test and with the same results. Most people would say though to have it golden you need to run the full 24hrs or more, but i was confident that it will pass.

I know i type too much, but i'm a curious person who experiments, either way though i'm going to get my hands on one

 

[bigKr33]

And another thing on top of that, do you think it would be a bright idea to just order one anyway and look at the stepping, and if it isn't a good one, take it back and get an exchange? I'm trying to think how i could pull this off. But then again i should say screw it and just deal with it, and whatever overclock i get thats my problem to deal with.

Does bios 6-23-05 work with dual core?

 

[nealh]

Holy crap...it has been shown on these A64/DC chips there is no performance difference with a ram divider over and over...Look at Zebo's thread, AngryGAmes at DFI has a nice one too....

max cpu and try to keep ram near 200mhz

I keep seeing lower ram speed equals 50mhz..Furballi where are you getting this info?

I have rum my ram faster 2600 1:1 260 vs 2700 and ram at 225...system feels faster at 2700 and runs faster at 2700

but here is the key..there is little difference when talking 100-200 mhz.....try to max cpu and get good stable setup, this is key

 

[JSFLY]

Originally posted by: bigKr33

Originally posted by: JSFLY
Taken from DFI-Street overclocking guide:

"The rule was to clock your multiplier up on unlocked cpu's to find a mhz ceiling, then drop the multiplier all the way down and ratchet up your FSB to find your RAM/CPU's max FSB...Then tried to match it up in a most optimal way to get the MOST FSB while getting the MOST Mhz."
http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20823

Thus 270 10x is better than 245 11x.

Imo if you've got a good cooling setup, go with the 165. Try to get 550 steppings if you can.

Nice find and all, but they recommend to keep the 939's HTT at or around 2000mhz?''
How do you do that? If the 939's have memory controllers, don't you only have to be between 1600-2000 HTT which puts me right at 1650 because my cpu is at 275 now.

And just another thing about your recommendation, How do you get a 550 opty if their all gone And i refuse to buy a used opty because i know it will have been tampered with. Do you know if theres any news on current steppings and if their any good? I honestly prefer getting a opty 165 just simply because of the price. $400 is pushing it for a 170 opty cpu, but if theres better steppings for it right now I'll get one. I just don't want to touch 1.5v, too high for my taste. Like i said my goal is 1.475 max to hit 2.6-2.7 on an opty. I know my goal is a bit far fetched, but thats just me being me. I don't know what stepping my 3700 is, but all i know is that (in the bios) its set to 1.45v (shows as 1.41 in everest, sisoftware, and 1.408 in cpu-z). I stopped prime95 after 28hrs
on the large FFT test and passed with no warnings or errors. I also stopped the test after 15hrs+ on the blend test and with the same results. Most people would say though to have it golden you need to run the full 24hrs or more, but i was confident that it will pass.

I know i type too much, but i'm a curious person who experiments, either way though i'm going to get my hands on one

Drop your LDT or get faster ram. The info you need is all in that link there.

As for getting an opty with good steppings, unless you go ebay or elsewhere, its a crapshoot. And even if you do get one with good steppings, it might not OC the way you want it. My friends got the exact same steppings I have but one of his cores maxes at 2.45 ;-p. Again, luck of the draw.

I don't really know what new steppings are good, but you should google/check forums for that.

If your really persistent, yes you can keep buying and returning them until you get the right one. I think the chances of you getting a good one are around 80%, havent seen too many complaints on forums here and elsewhere on getting bad opties. That is if your looking at low vcore 2.6-7 stable. 2.8+ is a different story.

Also, yes Im pretty sure 6-23 supports dual cores. Check the DFI site for confirmation.

 

[bigKr33]

Thanks man, nothing but good replys coming from ya. And from everyone else

This really does all help considerably.

So really i need to stop being a wimp and just do it, luck of the draw like you said.

I think i'm just going to purchase a 165 because of the price.

 

[JSFLY]

Originally posted by: bigKr33
Thanks man, nothing but good replys coming from ya. And from everyone else

This really does all help considerably.

So really i need to stop being a wimp and just do it, luck of the draw like you said.

I think i'm just going to purchase a 165 because of the price.

Cool

Post back after you get your 165 with your OCing Results.

 

[svsnow]

NO, getting better ram is not an option to staying under 2000mhz....it has nothing to do with that..before you read the following 1000 (in my terms. for easier and accurate math = 2000)
Think of not going over 1000mhz ok...
what you need to do is drop the LDT / FSB ratio to 3x (if ur going for 2.5 or higher) think of it liek this man.. 3= LDT multi X ur HTT (fsb) for example if u want 2700 u want it at 3x
because 3x300(fsb) = 900mhz = almost right on with 1000mhz aka 2000mhz or w/e u wanna call it lol----> (what you need for stability)
also 289x3 = 2600 cpu clock and 867mhz. (not over 1000.) basically the idea is to get as close to 1000mhz as u can w/o going over.. but seriously it does not affect performance at all so dont factor it in .its all stability. having a 1200 freq on that is liek having a 21x pci-e bus(complete overkill + wont do anything)
or another analogy .lol. u have 2 cars going on a freeway at 60 . with 3 extra lanes then all teh sudden 4 more lanes are available ..will this make them go faster ,,, heck no!
so thats the whole deal on the 2000 HTT thingy lol

 

[svsnow]

what JSFLY AND bigkr33 or w/e were talking about was diff
jsfly ..i think he meant the LDT/FSB ratio of not going over 2000mhz .. and not the fsb/LDT ---> if he was talking about fsb/ldt ud be correct as ud need to drop the multi to slow teh ram or get faster ram
i read my review and relized i may have come off on u the wrong way . lol

 

[bigKr33]

I understand the whole ldt and stuff. If i didn't know what that i was, i wouldn't have been able to get the overclock that i have right now with my sandy. I was just confused because it seemed like some of the people were saying that you had to had high bandwidth memory if you want a 165 opty.

But anyways, i think i'm going to purchase a 165 from newegg in a few days. Is there any steppings that i should hope not to get? I just mainly noticed that alot of people just basically say look out for steppings 550 because they overclock better, but i have never seen anything on bad steppings.

 

[bigKr33]

You know what, i said screw and i just purchased it on newegg. Wish me luck, and hope i get atleast a decent stepping ::crosses fingers::

 

[svsnow]

good luck man .,.. and i understand u.. yea tthey say u need high bandwith ram ..because if you wanted to run 1:1 you would have to have your ram run a high fsb like the cpu for instance 2700 = ddr600.
but thats why there are ram dividers so you can slow the ram : Fsb .
so you should be fine as long as u run your ram slow enough to not hold back your overclocks.. and you have ddr500 anyways so tahts always good to have for that little extra flexibility.
hope you get a decent or even better a really good chip
Good luck!
post back your results man!