Originally posted by: daw123
Originally posted by: Cannyone
I have a non "SE" P6T with a C1 core 920. I was able to raise the BCLK to 200 (for 1600 speed memory) and drop the CPU Ratio to 18 - giving me 3.6GHz speed with no voltage tweeks. And it's stable on air (Zalman CNPS9900), though the core temps do get up to around 71-72°C under full load.
Considering this result, with a non-D0 stepping core. I can't see why anyone would feel the need to buy a 940 unless it was less than $300. See you can't get a D0 core in the 940s, but you can in the 920s. So you're spending more money and eliminating the opportunity to get the best Over-clocking chip in years.
Do you honestly think you are going to get a I7 940 (even when its discontinued) for less than $300, when the 920 is $270 (and its not a guaranteed D0 stepping). So for a 266MHz speed increase, you pay an extra $30. And the fact that the 940 will produce a higher over-clocked speed (by virtue of the higher CPU multiplier).
http://www.google.com/products...2&scoring=p#ps-sellers
I hope you get a job in Intel's Finance Department.
I agree with you that the 920 is a good over-clocking CPU
for the price.
I guess I fail at communicating... Which makes some sense, because I do "live under a rock" of sorts. So let me try this again.
1. At first I wasn't interested in Core i7, I won't attempt to explain why here atm.
2. I kept reading about how well the Core i7 overclocked really well. So I decided I wanted to build a mildly overclocked system on Core i7, for use as a gaming machine for the next few years.
3. I didn't really want to spend a ton of money on this project. I was very careful in selecting a motherboard. So I just ordered CPU in a combo deal with the motherboard for $20 off.
4. In my experience this setup was supremely easy to overclock. I was able to get 3.6GHz stable, with ease. No voltage tweeks needed. - In fact, since that time I've backed off a bit. Because I want things to run cool and last. Except I do have my memory at 1600Mhz. I just dropped the CPU Ratio.
Now! When I consider the facts in #4.
I can't see a reason to buy a more expensive CPU. And if anyone reading this was thinking about buying a Core i7 processor, I would humbly suggest that they
get a 920. At least if they do, they have a chance of getting a D0 which should overclock much better than my C0/C1. If they follow the common notion that you "get what you pay for", by purchasing a 940... they are wasting their money. Because, to my knowledge, none of the CPUs besides the 920 have the D0 stepping. Though I hear that the new 950 and 975 do have it.
Still if Shmee is correct. I suggest that it would be a better choice to get a D0 stepping 920 (while you can!). The money you save in buying this chip will almost pay for a top of the line motherboard. Or whatever else you might want.
As for myself, I paid $500 for a CPU and motherboard, and so far I'm really happy with both!