Difference between P4's for OCing

[sman83]

I am buying a new processor and had a question. I am going to buy the P4 2.4 Ghz for its ocing ability, and my question is this. Is the 1024kb version of the 2.4ghz as easy to overclock as the 512kb version? Thats it thxs for the help.

 

[stevty2889]

The only 2.4 p4 I would recomend if you wanna overclock is the 2.4c, at least that way you'll have hyperthreading.

 

[Deskstar]

If you can find one, a 2.8c (and perhaps other "c" speeds) that have 30 capacitors on the bottom are sweet overclocking chips. The rumor was when they were released that they were Extreme Edition chips that did not quite live up to the specs of EE...but they can be overclocked relatively easier. YMMV.

I have two 2.8c Northwoods SL6Z5 (s spec) and am running one at 3.3GHz and the other at 3.2 GHz. You must have good memory to do this(TCCD based chips are nice) . Certainly on the signatures on this Forum you can find these chips at speeds of 3.5GHz. But, I have not even tried to push mine any further-too lazy.

I do not know if the 2.4c came with 30 caps..or the 3.0 for that matter. I believe however that the S-specs for those speeds are different only by one digit. These chips are hard to find now since they were bought up in early 2004. You can find then new or used at auction. The 2.8 (30 cap s-spec) runs about $150. Always ask the seller for the s-spec to make certain that you are buying what you expect. Many of the same speed chips come in different pin sizes, different heat production, different bus speeds, and different physical properties (die and caps).

Good luck.
Deskstar

 

[Deskstar]

Oh I forgot to say that the Northwood version that you want is the "c" version and comes with 512mb cache. Be careful on the bus speed description. Sometimes a seller says "400" when that means 4 x 100 rather than 2 x 200. Confusing I know but it is the s-spec that tells you.

 

[whorush]

i think you could get more milage out of a 90nm A64 3000. they can go from 1.8ghz to 2.6ghz, at which point it will handily beat a 3.5ghz P4 (which seems to be the max of what people are getting on the 2.4 p4, with the norm probably around 3.2)

the A64 is also 64 bit, it stop some viruses and it costs less.

 

[Deskstar]

I agree that an A64 does provide a better bang for the buck if building a new system.

 

[rise]

yeah, but he asked for a p4, right?

 

[rise]

btw, i have the p4 2.4c running at 2850 using a zalman 7000 al-cu, temps load around 42, in a cooler master praetorian case. its a good chip, i'm sure it can go higher, but i haven't pushed it. i think i need a new psu to go too much higher, but i've seen guys running them at over 3.

almost forgot, the prescotts with the 1012 cache run much, much hotter. i'd go with the norty, the "c"'s 800 fsb.
usually on new egg for 145 or zzf for about the same with free shipping.

 

[stevty2889]

Forgot to mention that I had a 2.4c also, running at 3.1ghz, and was cooler under full load than my prescott is at idle.

 

[Elvis2]

a 2.8C would definitely be a good choice. i have a SL6WJ (d1 stepping) that did 3.5 on stock voltage but then again it was watercooled. i may sell it but for the meantime, i'm keeping it for a backup in case my new 3.2E decides to take up smoking