Overclockable VIA C3

[AZGamer]

I seen now that the unreputable <cough> OCZ store has some pretested VIA C3s that can run at 900-1000 mhz. This means that the CPU's are (seriously) overclockable - something I hadn't really heard before. I was thinking of building a VIA C3 system overclocked to a gig. Has anybody tried this yet? Anybody have any motherboard suggestions?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

You can think about building it just don't do it. The C3 is junk IMO.

 

[AZGamer]

Well....... With the prices being so low, this box would only be used lightly for Web Surfing and the like. Any idea what motherboard to use, or where to buy a proc.? I shudder to think what OCZ will sell me... or ship me.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Pay a slight bit more and do the K7S5A/DURON800 combo for 100$ and get the extra speed without paying for it. And I agree about OCZ BTW, I ordered 2 HS/F from them and it took over 2 weeks and 3 shipments to get me all the pieces....pretty sad. Anyways, good luck if you decide to go thru with the C3 system...you'll need it.

 

[AZGamer]

Well............

Slight bit more eh? With Socket 370 motherboards what they are, I could probably get a combo for $60. Adding in almost 100% of the cost isn't a slight increase. What socket 370 motherboard and chipset would be most OC friendly and support Cyrix?

 

[jchu14]

I went to Pricewatch and searched for via c3 and here's a company that sells it.

http://store.yahoo.com/spectraimpex1/via733mhzc3c.html

Wow. It's $99 with shared video, lan, sound, 733mhz processor, HSF. You need a case, PS, and HD, and you'll be set. Duron and K7S5a is probably going to cost you about 50-60 dollars more. (cost of duron($35) is offset by the difference in price of motherboard. add 50-60 dollars for HSF and Video. The speed is probably gonna pretty bad, but it should do basic office work adn websurfing ok. I'm having a lot of trouble finding benchies and review for the C3. I'll post it when I find some.

 

[jchu14]

Well i did a little bit more digging on google and here's some benchies.

http://www.canadacomputes.com/v3/story/1,1017,7020,00.html
and
http://www.katuhintavertailu.com/testit/Via/C3/Via_C3c.htm

as expected, it gets slaughtered in just about everything. The 750mhz C3 ties Celery600mhs in some benchmarks but get whupped in about half of them.

Apparently Via was going to introduce 833mhz variation with 0.13micron technology but i haven't seen any place that sells it.

Edit: More info. Ok according to Via.com, 800mhz 0.13micron C3 has been release. But I can't find a single benchie, review, or reseller for it. According to a PCMAG article, a 833mhz C3 is suppose to use 7.9watts under full load and 162 milliwatt when idle. :Q If only T-birds would run this cool.

Edit#2: Finally found a review for the 0.13 Micron C3s.

http://www.ccw.com.cn/htm/produ/center/new/01_7_23_2.asp

The article's in chinese so here's a rough translation of the article regarding the performance of the C3. "800mhz/133fsb loses nearly every single benchmark to 700mhz/66fsb Celeron. Tualatin of the same frequency is twice as fast as teh C3"

So to sum all of this reading up. THE C3 is TERRIBLE for regular desktop use. You'll be better off buying a celeron600. It's only strong suit is it runs very very cool. So this is only suited for notebook use pretty much.

 

[AZGamer]

Yeah but no PCI slots. Know any Socket 370 boards that support the C3 and are overclocking friendly?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

<< Well............

Slight bit more eh? With Socket 370 motherboards what they are, I could probably get a combo for $60. Adding in almost 100% of the cost isn't a slight increase. What socket 370 motherboard and chipset would be most OC friendly and support Cyrix? >>

I haven't seen your 60$ combo anywhere, stop being obtuse:disgust:

 

[Toysrme33]

Altho I like the idea of being able to run a CPU without a fan!
(LoL not since the p90 days for me!)

I personally would just got for a duron+mobo combo with everything on the motherboard if I wanted "cheap". Possibly eveen a celeron, but the c3's are just too slow!

On the plus side. It is quite possible to build a C3 based computer for under $400.

Can yall imagine the selling potitial there? I mean an entire SYSTEM for $450-$550. Gotta be *some* market potential in there somewhere!

-brandon