Looking to get Pentium-M, seeking opinions.

[InlineFive]

Hi all,

I'm looking to eventually start replacing my large Socket-A servers with some smaller servers based on used Pentium-Ms. Here is my question.

I see that some of the older PMs (Banias and Dothan) are getting to be pretty cheap. How does a 1.7Ghz model compared to a 1.5Ghz Barton? How overclockable are they? With a good mobo could I easily bump the FSB to 133 and hit 2.1xGhz? How much more power and heat do they use at the higher frequency?

Also, If I get a laptop pull will the lack of IHS cause problems with HSFs?

And if I get a ULV model, will a 120mm PSU fan be enough to cool the HSF if the HSF is 1/2" away?

Lastly, will cpuspeed in most Linux distros be able to control SpeedStep on these CPUs? Or will they run full tilt 100% of the time?

Thanks!

I5

 

[stevty2889]

1.7ghz pentium-m will be a decent bit quicker than a 1.5ghz barton. Can't speak for all pentium-m's, but my 1.6ghz dothan hits 2.4ghz on stock voltage with the dinky little heatsink that comes with the Asus CT-479 adaptor, stuffed in a SFF antec aria with poor airflow, and still doesn't hit 60c. Runs at 55-57c @2.4ghz, runs around the mid 40's at stock speed. I don't think any of the pentium-m's come with an IHS, I got mine retail, and it didn't have one.

 

[Zap]

I know used chips are cheap, but motherboards are expensive, and most of them use small, proprietary heatsinks. Also, overclocking servers? Are these home servers or for a company? What are the servers doing? If it's serving up files, then an upgrade would be a faster drive subsystem. If it's doing something which needs faster processing, whylimit yourself to a single core?