need help with my first real overclock

[zision]

I finally have the money, and I'm getting a new CPU among other things, and need some help. I'm currently running on an Epox 6VBA2 (Apollo Pro 133A) with a Celeron 466, GTS 32MB, IBM HD, Diamond MX300. A couple high quality 128MB PC133 sticks are being purchased, but I don't want to spend $180+ just for 128MB, so CAS2 isn't real important to me, and I'm surely not going past 133MHz . I picked up an Alpha PEP66 and some extra case cooling items a while back, and tried to overclock this CPU just for the fun of it. I didn't get it very far, but this slot1 coverter card doesn't have voltage adjustments. Anyway, I'm picking up a new CPU and would like to hit 1GHz with it. it's just such a magical number, but I'll still be happy with a little less. Now, here's the questions:

1. What CPU would be the easiest to hit 1GHz with, without water cooling or a peltier? P3 800MHz or below.

2. Any extra cooling accessories you think I need?

3. Which is better, the IWILL slocket or the Abit? How does the FSB setting on the card affect the actual CPU speed?

4. What is the advantage of burning in the CPU, and what is the best method?

5. Anyone know how to make/buy a cheap temperature probe? The CPU sensor on this motherboard doesn't do too much good being attached to the motherboard.

6. On the Alpha PEP66, does it cool better with the fan pulling or blowing?

Thanks a lot, I'll post more questions if I think of any.

 

[Viper GTS]

1) I'd recommend either a P3 700e or a 750e. The 750e will get you to 1 gig at a FSB of only 133 MHz, so that might be the better choice for you.

2) You've got a PEP66, grab a copper shim & some quality thermal paste. Other than that you should be good.

3) I like the IWILL, the slot retention mechanism is MUCH better. With the big-ass PEP66 on it, you want the slocket to lock SECURELY into the slot retention arms. My IWILL makes my PEP66 very secure. The FSB setting on the slocket changes what the motherboard reads as the default FSB for the CPU. For example, if you stuck a P3 700e in a IWILL Slocket II, set the jumper for 133 MHz, any 133 MHz motherboard will automatically set the FSB to 133 instead of 100 MHz, which is what the CPU would have reported. With most motherboards you'll just leave it at default, & change the FSB via the BIOS. In some situations, it could allow you to force a 133 FSB when you wouldn't have had a way to set it manually (read Intel mainboards here...).

4) None, none. Don't worry about it.

5) All 0.25u & 0.18u CPUs have a thermal diode on the die. Use MBM to read it. Price? Free.

6) Try it & find out. Either way is going to be sufficient to cool the CPU, but see for yoruself which works best.

Good luck...

Viper GTS

 

[zision]

How well do the 750s overclock? The 800s are only about $20 more. My goal is 1GHz, I'm just looking for the easiest way to get there for under $250 on the CPU the database on overclockers.com doesn't show many people hitting 1GHz with the 750 without a peltier. also, what are your favorite places to order CPU cooling supplies? there's quite a few, just trying to find a good place to pick up the copper plate and thermal grease. the stuff I'm using now was pretty cheap. slocket too, if they have them.

 

[Dark4ng3l]

Hiting 1 ghz is pretty hard with a p3 most people use p3 700 and get the bus to 138 or so. Since most cpu's dont make it that high a p3 700 is best because you wil most crtainly get 933. You may not reach 133 bus with that 750(witch means slower than a 933-133 bus)the p3 800 has a very small chance(if at all) to reach 133 mhz bus.Since you are overclocking near the limit of the curent .18 process it is very hard to get to 1ghz

 

[zision]

After checking the database on overclockers.com, the 700 does sound like a really good idea. I can't believe so many people are hitting 133MHz bus with just a heatsink. does it really matter if the CPU is retail or not? is cBO really necessary? thanks guys

 

[Viper GTS]

cb0 is absolutely necessary if you want a reasonable chance of hitting 1 ghz. The ca0 stepping 700's max out around 850 MHz, cc0 maxes around 950 - 1000.

Viper GTS

 

[zision]

Do you know of any places selling cB0 or cC0 for a good price? I've emailed a few places, but of course they're taking forever to respond.