Althon XP-M, does the stepping really matter?

[kmrivers]

Hello everyone. I am going to throw a XP-M (2400+, 2500+, 2600+) in a Abit NF7-S ver 2 mobo with some Corsair XMS 3200PRO memory. Watercooled with a Cooler Master Aquagate system. I have been doing some ready on the stepping values, and from what i understand some overclock better than others, with the IQYHA stepping being one of the best. Will this matter in my setup? Does it really matter at all? Thanks in advance.

 

[charloscarlies]

To answer your question...sorta.

I had an IQYHA that would barely do 2.4 ghz...others were hitting 2.5-2.6 and even higher. Stepping does matter a little...but it's still going to be luck of the draw.

 

[kmrivers]

If i am watercooling this thing would i get some pretty high speeds? I am seeing 2.6 and 2.7 on air cooling alone. I knew it was luck of the draw but i have read that the IQYHA stepping is the best one to get. I am going to wait for newegg to have the 35W XP-M 2400+ in stock.