E6550 Not very popular?

[wicko]

Hi there

I noticed that there aren't many topics around about overclocking the E6550 that just came out. Is it because of the 20 dollar price difference between the E6750 and the E6550? I forget where I read it, but I had found out that the E6550 was wonderful for overclocking. I did see one person reach 3.85 Ghz with it.. but I would have expected much more info about overclocking on this chip. Am I missing something?

I've ordered one myself, and it should be arriving monday or tuesday. I also ordered the EVGA 680i motherboard, A1 version, due to its overclocking capabilities. I know I could have ordered a cheaper board but I managed to get this at 210 CDN after mail in rebate.

I will be overclocking this using stock cooling for now but I'm wondering if there are any other owners, or owners with 6750s that have had some nice overclocking with their chips?

It may seem strange that I would buy such an expensive motherboard and that it kind of defeats the purpose of overclocking, but I overclock for the fun of it, and I would also like this PC to last me a few years. Currently I have a Sempron 3100 on socket 754 lol. But it is overclocked from 1.8GHz to 2.6Ghz, and has lasted me a year or two (I bought it rather late, as s754 was dying).

Anyway, let me know what you think

 

[MarcVenice]

What do you want to hear? You've got your stuff sorted, or so it seems. Let us know how well your e6550 OC's

 

[f4phantom2500]

well if i were to buy a c2d, i wouldn't buy it because of its low multiplier and high stock fsb. i would buy a 1066 or 800fsb chip, but that's just because i don't want to have to worry about my ram holding me back.

 

[RussianSensation]

Since you got an NForce chipset motherboard, you can run ram and cpu FSB asynchronously which means you don't necessarily need DDR2 1000 to clock this cpu at 3500mhz (7x 500). However, some people want to clock their chip beyond 3500mhz while not paying $180 US for a motherboard and a lot more for ram above DDR2 800. At the end of the day everyone has their preferences. I tend to buy the cheapest motherboard I can get for overclocking because I do not need 8 USB ports, RAID, eSATA or Firewire. Some people do. Instead I take the difference in dump it into a faster cpu or videocard.

Let us know your overclocking results.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Same here. Put the extra $ into the bank and wait for the next generation rig that's going to give me +20% performance boost. A fancy board and ultra-high performance RAM would not even net another 4%, but the price will probably go up by at least 70%.

 

[Acanthus]

For the most part i agree with the advice from russiansensation, however there are hidden differences in higher cost parts, quality.

Some OEMs like gigabyte use all solid state capacitors that should long outlast their garbage counterparts.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
For the most part i agree with the advice from russiansensation, however there are hidden differences in higher cost parts, quality.

Some OEMs like gigabyte use all solid state capacitors that should long outlast their garbage counterparts.

Acanthus, I completely agree. But when you are on a budget, $40 here, $30 there start to add up so you want to make sure you are paying for things you need.
Solid capacitor design isn't that expensive.

GIGABYTE GA-P35-S3L - $90
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L - $95 All Solid Caps

Like I said there are tons of people who use RAID, want 8 SATA ports, 8 USB ports, dual PCIe 16x slots, but there are also others who want a barebones overclocking board for $100 or so as was the case with say Abit IS7 in P4 era.

I can't vouch for how great DS3L overclocks relative to its $35 more expensive DS3R counterpart for instance, but I'll update next week when I get my new system to see if in fact the "budget" $100 P35 motherboards are good enough.

 

[wicko]

I ended up getting Mushkin EM-PC2-6400 instead of higher speed ram due to that very reason, asynchronous FSB clocking.

My main reason for posting however is because I am surprised to see not many people talking about this particular processor. I can barely find reviews on it, it seems to be all about the 6750 and 6850, and I was wondering if there was any particular reason why.

I guess it makes sense though, not many people jumping at such a small performance increase if you've already purchased C2D systems. I've only got my sempron so getting these 1333 FSB parts doesn't really matter. I figured I might as well considering how cheap they are, and the EVGA board, I've had my sights set on that one for months, and it just happens to support these new processors.

I've heard about solid state capacitors before but never really knew why they are prefered over the normal capacitors. I guess it helps to know why they are even called solid state in the first place. I don't know the difference, lol.

I also wanted to have 3 PCI-E video card slots because i would like to get a second 8800 GTS and at some point a cheaper card to test how well it works as a physics card. If not, I can always use it for a dual monitor setup plus SLI.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
For the most part i agree with the advice from russiansensation, however there are hidden differences in higher cost parts, quality.

Some OEMs like gigabyte use all solid state capacitors that should long outlast their garbage counterparts.

Even OST caps are good for at least 3-4 years. Japanese electrolytic caps will easily run +7 years. So how long do these Japanese electrolytic-cap boards last before the appearance of solid caps? Enough said. Solid cap is a marketing tool used by mfrs to elevate the price.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal

Originally posted by: Acanthus
For the most part i agree with the advice from russiansensation, however there are hidden differences in higher cost parts, quality.

Some OEMs like gigabyte use all solid state capacitors that should long outlast their garbage counterparts.

Even OST caps are good for at least 3-4 years. Japanese electrolytic caps will easily run +7 years. So how long do these Japanese electrolytic-cap boards last before the appearance of solid caps? Enough said. Solid cap is a marketing tool used by mfrs to elevate the price.

I wouldnt know, as all of my old P3 boards are dead with leaking caps

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Bad formulation caused a lot of electrolytic caps to fail from 1999 to 2005. Garbage in, garbage out. Most Japanese caps were immune from this issue, including Sanyo, United Chemicon, and Panasonic/Matsushita. My two years old ECS KN1 Lite with United Chemicon/OST/G-Luxon caps are still going strong.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
Bad formulation caused a lot of electrolytic caps to fail from 1999 to 2005. Garbage in, garbage out. Most Japanese caps were immune from this issue, including Sanyo, United Chemicon, and Panasonic/Matsushita. My two years old ECS KN1 Lite with United Chemicon/OST/G-Luxon caps are still going strong.

Your caps have lasted two years?:shocked: Let us know if they're still not leaking, when they get to be as old as Acantus' P3 caps. Until then, solid caps are the way to go.

To the OP, the reason nobody is buy E6550's is because of two things: 1) it has too low of a multiplier, for it's stock 333 Mhz FSB, and most importantly, 2) it's only $20 cheaper than an E6750.

 

[wicko]

My girlfriend's old p3 board seems to have died just yesterday, she's had that for at least 5 years and ive kept it for one. It was in constant use for those 5 years but i've hardly used it. plus it was a used PC, was used in a fitness center and im pretty sure it was running all the time.

Hmmm, i decided I wanted to save 20$ lol, and spend it on a heatsink/fan. Probably pointless, but I was under the impression that the E6550 was the one to look at for overclocking. I figured, why spend 20$ more when I can reach that with overclocking anyway?

 

[myocardia]

Well, even though the E6550 is a 2.3 Ghz processor, it has a 7x cpu multiplier, since it has a 333 Mhz FSB. That means that unless you bought really good PC6400 RAM, you won't be making it much past 2.8ish Ghz, unless your RAM overclocks really well. Most people who are overclocking C2D's, even C2Q's, want faster than 2.8-3.0 Ghz. BTW, welcome to anandtech, Wicko.

 

[bryanW1995]

you'll be fine with an e6550, but you can't reach 4 ghz right now with a 7x multiplier. The 8x multiplier on the e6750 is worth the $20 for serious overclockers. If you're using stock cooling then you'll get a decent but not outstanding overclock and the e6550 will be fine for you.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

I would wager that these OST caps will run at least 5 years. That's longer than I care to keep the board. Are you saying that all electrolytic caps are no good? Solid cap is a marketing tool. There are infinitely more mission-critical hardware with non-solid caps. Informed buyers rely on solid engineering principles when making a purchase. People buy a 200mph car for the "bling factor".

Any capacitor can fail during normal service, including "solid cap". A good board designer will limit the working temperature of each capacitor to about 55C. If you can't touch the cap for more than 15 seconds, then it's probably running too hot. Most quality 105C electrolytic caps are rated at 15,000 hours. Expect to triple this number with 55C working temperature.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
I would wager that these OST caps will run at least 5 years. That's longer than I care to keep the board. Are you saying that all electrolytic caps are no good? Solid cap is a marketing tool. There are infinitely more mission-critical hardware with non-solid caps. Informed buyers rely on solid engineering principles when making a purchase. People buy a 200mph car for the "bling factor".

Any capacitor can fail during normal service, including "solid cap". A good board designer will limit the working temperature of each capacitor to about 55C. If you can't touch the cap for more than 15 seconds, then it's probably running too hot. Most quality 105C electrolytic caps are rated at 15,000 hours. Expect to triple this number with 55C working temperature.

All i know is ive never had a solid capacitor blow.

Im up to about 5 dozen on electrolytic.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
I would wager that these OST caps will run at least 5 years. That's longer than I care to keep the board. Are you saying that all electrolytic caps are no good? Solid cap is a marketing tool. There are infinitely more mission-critical hardware with non-solid caps. Informed buyers rely on solid engineering principles when making a purchase. People buy a 200mph car for the "bling factor".

Any capacitor can fail during normal service, including "solid cap". A good board designer will limit the working temperature of each capacitor to about 55C. If you can't touch the cap for more than 15 seconds, then it's probably running too hot. Most quality 105C electrolytic caps are rated at 15,000 hours. Expect to triple this number with 55C working temperature.

All i know is ive never had a solid capacitor blow.

Im up to about 5 dozen on electrolytic.

Not a very scientific explanation, but if it works for you.... Just remember that solid caps have only been popular over the last two years. When cheap vendors get into the game, you'll start to see fireworks, just like the electrolytic caps. GARBAGE IN/GARBAGE OUT.

 

[wicko]

Thanks, myocardia.

Well, I bought the EVGA 680i board, and that allows me to clock the RAM and CPU asynchronously. I also bought Mushkin EM 6400 ram, which is decent for overclocking but nothing overly fantastic. I think it uses that Micron D9 stuff but i could be wrong.

I wasn't really planning on reaching 4 Ghz haha, thats a little steep. I'd like to keep my processor a bit cooler than that lol. I was thinking of running it at around 3.2-3.4 ghz 24/7, but I am interested in seeing how far I can push it. I won't be sticking with the stock HSF though, I'm buying the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro, and my Antec 900 should be reaching my house at about the same time as my parts. I bought the 900 because of its cooling capabilities, and ill just point the airflow from the HSF to the 200mm fan at the top, lol. Should run pretty cool.

If it turns out the mushkin RAM isn't all that fantastic, I can just return it or sell it, and buy a pair of Ballistix modules. But that will have to wait til after I do some testing.

Hey bryan, I noticed you have the 900 as well, did you keep all the stock fans on the case, or replace them with something quieter? I know they are pretty quiet on low speeds but high speeds it's supposed to get pretty loud. I was thinking of replacing them at some point in time if they are too loud and i need the case to be cooler.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: wicko
I wasn't really planning on reaching 4 Ghz haha, thats a little steep. I'd like to keep my processor a bit cooler than that lol. I was thinking of running it at around 3.2-3.4 ghz 24/7.

Thats a very reasonable goal for air cooling.

~450x7 should be an easy 24/7 OC, and then you dont even have to go async with the bus, as any ram with Micron D9s will do DDR2-900.

 

[wicko]

Are there any disadvantages for using async?

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: wicko
Are there any disadvantages for using async?

There used to be a small performance hit back in the day, im not sure about now.

 

[wicko]

Received all my parts today, but.. I realized I need a new power supply as my current one only has 1 4Pin 12V cable instead of 2, which seems to be required if I want any decent results on my new board. But that ships tomorrow so I should be good.

But jeez, how many power inputs do these motherboards need, lol. 24 pin, plus 8pins? I thought CPUs used less power now anyways, maybe it supplies power to the chipset?

 

[firewolfsm]

Depending on the CPU, you probably don't need it. Quad cores will though.

 

[Acanthus]

Since when do mobos have 2 4 pin connectors? thats news to me.