I need YOUR help on MY school project

[Vegitto]

Hey, all!

Starting September/October next year, I'll have to do an assignment for physics and stuff. The good part: Pick your own subject. The bad part: A 80-100 page project describing it.

Here's my subject: The limits of Socket A. I will be overclocking several Socket A processors using different methods of cooling. Ultimately, it's about liquid nitrogen (LN2). So, I need your help:

-What are the current world records for Socket A processors?
-What is the best overclocking mobo for Socket A?
-What would be the best base-block for a LN2-tube?

5 designs will be made in aluminum. They will be tested, and the winner will be made in copper to chase after the world record Socket A!

Rock on!

 

[Jeff7181]

Obligatory Google it post

 

[Vegitto]

Dude, I totally know how to MAKE it, and how to DO it. I just want your input, man.

 

[Jeff7181]

To answer one of your questions... 3 GHz was about the upper limit of the mobile Bartons as seen here.

 

[jdogg707]

Xtreme Systems might be a good resource for this project.

 

[couppi]

The XS Overclocking Database:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=59753

 

[Mogadon]

The Abit NF7-S (v2.0) is widely regarded as the best socket A overclocking mobo around. I actually have a spare one sitting in my closet with a barton 3000+ 400MHz FSB, send a PM my way if you're interested in the hardware.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: Mogadon
The Abit NF7-S (v2.0) is widely regarded as the best socket A overclocking mobo around. I actually have a spare one sitting in my closet with a barton 3000+ 400MHz FSB, send a PM my way if you're interested in the hardware.

The NF7-S v2.0 is certainly one of the best for Socket A overclocking.

The Barton 3000+ 400FSB possibly not, unless it has its multiplier unlocked. With the earlier Socket A processors (ceramic packages) I was happy to pencil mod the multiplier for overclocking, but with the later processors it was easier to get the equivalent XP-Mobile processor: these have a higher default multiplier (and unlocked lower multipliers) and lower default voltage (making voltage bumps more productive). Try an XP-M, if you can find one!

 

[Mogadon]

Actually it does have it's multiplier unlocked although I was referring to the NF7-S(2.0) being one of the best overclocking boards, not the chip as well.

I definitely concur on the XP-M's being the best overclocking chips, although I imagine the OP will be testing a range of Socket A chips, that's my understanding from his post anyway.

 

[Captante]

I had great results using Asus A7N8X Nforce 2 boards to overclock Athlon XP's & I still have the best overclocker I touched personally which is a multiplier-unlocked Barton 3200+. It would do 2.5ghz water-cooled with my old Zalman Reserator 1 & 2.4ghz on air with a Thermalright copper cooler, although since I don't game on that PC anymore its now running at default.

 

[Mogadon]

I had my Barton 3000+ 400MHz FSB I mentioned at 2525MHz stable on air with a thermalright HSF (i'll check the exact model in a bit), the temps were wild though so I ended up running 2425MHz, I bet it would have done great on water, or liquid nitrogen ... .

 

[jswjimmy]

my xp1800+ is still humming along at 2.4ghz (sad i still use it), ive been using the cpu for 3 years. i have to say the athlon xp's were tough as nails as long as you didnt go crazy with the voltage.

 

[TekDemon]

looks like you'll need about 3800Mhz...umm good luck with that.
You'll probably have to buy a whole lot of chips just to figure out which one is a real keeper. Maybe buy 1000 bartons and sample through.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Vegitto
Hey, all!

Starting September/October next year, I'll have to do an assignment for physics and stuff. The good part: Pick your own subject. The bad part: A 80-100 page project describing it.

Here's my subject: The limits of Socket A. I will be overclocking several Socket A processors using different methods of cooling. Ultimately, it's about liquid nitrogen (LN2). So, I need your help:

-What are the current world records for Socket A processors?
-What is the best overclocking mobo for Socket A?
-What would be the best base-block for a LN2-tube?

5 designs will be made in aluminum. They will be tested, and the winner will be made in copper to chase after the world record Socket A!

Rock on!

Tomshardware.com did this almost three years ago and posted a complete how to guide.
http://www.tomshardware.com/2003/12/30/5_ghz_project/

This is a great project for a computer repair course and not a physics class. I think this is an effort that will result in a C. There are other topics that are more physics related than this. Try explaining string theory and then attempt to show how it would exist. That would be a definite A+. Or if you want to stick to a computer related topic, try explaining the quantum physics of a microprocessor and propose some ideas on how to overcome the quantum limitations of silicon.

 

[Vegitto]

Well, thanks, you guys . I'll be plundering a lot of comps for processors .

Mogadon: Thanks for the offer, but I think you live in the states, which means multiple things: You'd have to ship overseas, I'd have to pay MAD import tax and I'm poor .
Thanks anyways .

So, it looks like I'm aiming for around 3500-3800 MHz. Luckily, it only has to boot. I don't wanna run SuperPI or whatever .

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I can honestly say that the DFI Infinity NF2 board was the best socket A overclocker. Anyone who disagree's can eat screencaps, once they're dug back up. I had a DFI LP nf2 rev.A that I hand modded to offer the same voltage ranges as the Infinity or rev.B lanparty and was running 305x9 on air for about 2.5 years. Were I to use water, or for that matter a prometia 3ghz would have been nearly guarinteed, if not higher. With LN2 the lifespan wouldn't have been as good but i truely believe 3.5 would have been possible. To my knowledge the motherboard cpu combo is still running for a good friend of mine, an ex member here, mithshrike.

 

[Vegitto]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
I can honestly say that the DFI Infinity NF2 board was the best socket A overclocker. Anyone who disagree's can eat screencaps, once they're dug back up. I had a DFI LP nf2 rev.A that I hand modded to offer the same voltage ranges as the Infinity or rev.B lanparty and was running 305x9 on air for about 2.5 years. Were I to use water, or for that matter a prometia 3ghz would have been nearly guarinteed, if not higher. With LN2 the lifespan wouldn't have been as good but i truely believe 3.5 would have been possible. To my knowledge the motherboard cpu combo is still running for a good friend of mine, an ex member here, mithshrike.

Awesome. I'll go look. Lifespan isn't important, I need it to work for 10 minutes tops. Click, click, CPU-Z dump. Click, click, copy to floppy. Click, click, shutdown.