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Better OC'er for me -3.4C or 3.4E ? ?

A

archy121

Member
I have been offered either of these processors for £125

P4 3.4 GHZ/512/800 SL793 MALAY
P4 3.4 GHZ1MB/800 SL7E6 COSTA RICA

My problem is determining which would give me the better performance with my current setup. I currently have:

-Abit MAX3 Motherboard
-OCZ PC3700 Gold Mem 512Mx2 (should be able to get to 250-255Mhz)
-OCZ Modstream PSU rated 580W
-Radeon 9700Pro AGP
-Antec server case with 2x 80mm fans in front & 2x 80mm fans in rear
-ThermalTake XP90 Cooler

I would like to get maximum performance out of the chosen CPU so that the system will last me at least 18-24months with capable speeds before considering a new dual core rig. One of my key uses for system is rendering invideo editing so more performance the better. Im not prepared to go to lenghths of water cooling & so present CPU cooler will have to do. Also i like to leave my system running pretty much 24/7 so stability & temperature needs to be taken into account

-I am aware that at core speeds the Northwood will do better but as im looking to overclock to at least a target of 3.8GHz will the Prescott do better ? How much better ?

- Can i get both CPU's to at least 3.8Mhz comfortably with my setup ?

- Will either allow me to go any higher with my cooling setup ?

- At what MHz will the cooling the Presscot become an issue ?

- Im also aware that SL7E6 can have its multiplier unlocked. Does that help in my case?


 
if you want more than 3.5, go prescott.

Being the 1MB "e" stepping it will always run hot, with that heatsink and good case airflow you should not have a problem though.
 
The prescott has a better chance of getting to 3.8ghz, but be sure to have really good airflow and cooling, as even the XP-120 couldn't keep my 3.4 prescott from throttling at stock speeds.
 
If you are going to OC a Prescott, a side fan with a thermal vent is the best solution.
You need to have the vent positioned about an inch above the HS fan, which should be something like the XP-120.
You also need to have an exit fan in close proximty to the HS fan so the warm air can escape.
(Most cases have the case fan in this position).

Its a matter of getting a good airflow to the HS, then moving the air out of the case.
 
Does that mean i should rule the Northwood out of question if i want to get to stable 3.8Mhz ?
Im little worried about the Presott & heating issues using my case.
 
The northwood might hit 3.8, or might not, but the northwood is actualy clock for clock faster than the prescott in a lot of things as well, so you won't need to get the northwood as high to get the same perfromance depending on what programs you are running..
EDIT: I see you'll be doing rendering and video encoding both. I've found that the northwood is somewhat faster at rendering, but the prescott is much faster at encoding. The problem with the prescott is that you might not be able to get 3.8 on air because it runs so hot. Mine was throtting at stock speed using an XP-120, with a 93.6cmf fan, and artic silver 5, I had to go to water cooling to keep it from throttling.
 
Mine was throtting at stock speed using an XP-120, with a 93.6cmf fan, and artic silver 5, I had to go to water cooling to keep it from throttling.
Click to expand...


Man thats not good. Im already getting 3.5GHz from overclocking P4 3.06 but it is the 533mHZ FSB which does not run the DUAL DDR memory to its best. I was hoping a move to 3.4Mhz CPU would give me 800Mhz FSB as well as Higher CPU clock of about 3.8Mhz...

Seems expecting the northwood core to hit 3.8Mhz is rather unlikely.

But what of Prescott 3.4GHz hitting 3.8Mhz using Air cooling ?? Is this also unrealistic by everyones judgement / experience ?




 
It's still plenty possible, my other 2 prescotts didn't run as hot as my 3.4 does, even on the same motherboard, in the same case, with the same heatsink, so it seems to be just the luck of the draw, but thats usualy how overclocking goes anyway. But as far as the 3.06ghz northwood goes, thats what I have running at 3.45ghz. And even while bandwidth limited, and with a 350mhz speed disadvantage it was ahead of the prescott at 3.82ghz in rendering. Video endcoding on the otherhand, the higher speed prescott had a solid lead, but at the same clockspeed, it was only slightly ahead.
 
"But as far as the 3.06ghz northwood goes, thats what I have running at 3.45ghz. And even while bandwidth limited, and with a 350mhz speed disadvantage it was ahead of the prescott at 3.82ghz in rendering. Video endcoding on the otherhand, the higher speed prescott had a solid lead, but at the same clockspeed, it was only slightly ahead."

Maybe i'm wasting time upgrading & i should just hold back for a year until i feel like investing in second generation dual core CPU rig. Man im confused.. it seemed so clear initially.. An easy & fairly cheap upgrade to 800FSB & new clock of 3.8GHz.
Unless i hear or read some positive news on upgrading to 3.4Ghz CPU i think i will abandon the idea as the gains dont really seem to be there to meet the cost.


 
I've got the XP-120 sink on a prescott 530J (3ghz)/Abit AA8XE board running @ 4.1 ghz idles at 41c and under load never breaks 55c. Best air sink I've ever seen, it WILL cool the prescott down.

Quit sweating the proc upgrade and just replace your 9700 with an X800 XL.... ;-)
 
Northwood. Screw speeds. You need a 3.8 prescott to match a 3.5 northwood. and that's if prescott does'nt throttle while you're doing it.
 
Northwoods have decent resale value with certain buyers as well(i.e. those who hate Prescotts but still want a s478 processor). I'd go for the 3.4C.
 
Originally posted by: Zebo
Northwood. Screw speeds. You need a 3.8 prescott to match a 3.5 northwood. and that's if prescott does'nt throttle while you're doing it.
Click to expand...

Doesnt prescott gain IPC with clockspeed? It is my understanding that at 3.8 a prescott will stomp a northwood at 3.5.
 
Thank you all for you great valuable advice & feedback.

I have decided to go for the NORTHWOOD primarily because of my concerns with the PRESCOTT cooling.

Currently i have no interest in buying a water cooling system, changing cases etc
I will save my pennies for a next MAJOR upgrade.. BTX case, PCIe crd, Bigger PSU, New mobo & a second generation 64Bit dual core CPU (probably AMD this time).

I have ordered the Northwood & will hopefully arrive tomorrow.
Lets hope its a good one & will allow me to get to my 3.8Ghz mark.
Worst case Im sure i will get 3.5GHz out of it - same as my present CPU but with less strain on the CPU & 800FSB. I will sell off the 3.06GHz.

I will update this thread with my success or lack of for all to share.

 
Originally posted by: archy121
Thank you all for you great valuable advice & feedback.

I have decided to go for the NORTHWOOD primarily because of my concerns with the PRESCOTT cooling.

Currently i have no interest in buying a water cooling system, changing cases etc
I will save my pennies for a next MAJOR upgrade.. BTX case, PCIe crd, Bigger PSU, New mobo & a second generation 64Bit dual core CPU (probably AMD this time).

I have ordered the Northwood & will hopefully arrive tomorrow.
Lets hope its a good one & will allow me to get to my 3.8Ghz mark.
Worst case Im sure i will get 3.5GHz out of it - same as my present CPU but with less strain on the CPU & 800FSB. I will sell off the 3.06GHz.

I will update this thread with my success or lack of for all to share.
Click to expand...

3.5ghz is the absolute ceiling you can pray for... 3.6 on a Northwood is extremely rare.
 

Well talking to others on different forums, i have people telling me they have Northwood 3.4Ghz OC to 3.8GHz using air cooling.
So i see hope there. Prescott seems like a complete OC waste of time unless i get water cooling - which im definately not prepared to
 
** Drum Rol l l l ** ** Drum Rol l l l ** ** Drum Rol l l l **



Well folks time for the update as mentioned.

S W E E T J O Y ! ! !


Im 100% stable at 3.8GHz ! ! ! ! ! And i can probably go further. .


.. . .i had become to accept i would have problems getting over 3.5Ghz


This CPU has turned out to be a REAL WINNER for me.

They say not all CPU's are the same but i have definately ended up with a BIG TIME CHAMP !


So glad to all you guys that helped me decide to go Northwood.

With the case side cover off i am idleing 45C on Abit MAX three mobo which are known to report about 10 Higher. I set FSB to 224x17 & raised voltage in the smallest amount from default 1.550V to 1.575V. I cant belive thats all it required. This means my CPU lifetime is hardly going to be affected by overclocking -BRILLIANT. I have been able to get the OCZ Gold PC3700 Rev 3 to work at 1:1 2.5-3-3-6 which is ok. I think i might swap this out & get hads on overclockable PC3200 that can run at FSB225 with timmings of 2-2-2-5. Maybe Crucial Ballistix PC3200 ??

Only slight concern is with case cover on temperature is up to 50C which indicates case ventilation problems (also to do with fact i have 5 hot HD's in raid). I already have maximum of 4 80mm fans fitted (2 rear & 2 front). What i really need is a CPU duct in case door just to make things comfortable.

Not really in the mood to upgrade case righ now. So im thinking of carving out a 80mm hole & fitting a duct, grill & fan myself. Maybe use this Air Duct Kit from Maplins with the new hole cut as i cant fit the kit to my rear or front fan outlets due to obstructions.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx...&ModuleNo=44729


Anyone got suggestions on good tool i can use to get a good clean round 80mm circle cut out in my Antecs steel door ??


Well thanks all again for you great input !
 
Congratulations on a successful overclock. Northwoods are good cores.

As far as a case mod goes, the CPU forum might not be the right place to get the best info available. Tried cases & cooling yet?
 
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