Overclocking AMD Athlon64 3500+ on ASUS A8N SLI Deluxe MB

[DaveyTN]

I'm thinking about buying an AMD rig with:

- A Winchester 90 AMD Ahtlon 64 3500+ CPU
- An ASUS A8N SLI Deluxe MB

and am interested in if it is a good idea to try and overclock this configuration? Also, if I
OC, will I be able to reach stock 3800+ speeds with total stability? How hard is it to OC this configuration? What memory would you recommend with this config if I want to OC?

A lot of questions but I'm learning. Thanks everyone!

 

[ribbon13]

The Asus board is nice, but most would say its a limiting factor for overclocking. There's also been a lot of PEBKAC issues with it. DFI would be a good alternative.

Overclocking is never guaranteed. I've had the most luck with 3200+s. You can overclock with value ram, just use a divider. It doesn't effect the performance on A64s like it does to AXPs.

$111.8 2x Corsair VS512MB400

 

[DaveyTN]

IF I go with the DFI SLI MB, which processor would I pick for best chance to OC?

The web site I'm on has these in the drop down list:

1. AMD Ahtlon 64 3500+ 512K (939) $255.00
2. AMD Ahtlon 64 3500+ 512K (939) (Retail Box-w-Fan) $299.00
3. AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 512K 90nm (939) $245.00
4. AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 512K 90nm (939) (Retail Box-w-Fan) $315.00

I'm confused about what the differences above are? Which one for best chance to OC?

Thanks!

 

[Kid Vicious]

the first two are most likely the amd 64 939's with the 130nm newcastle core.
#1 being just the oem processor
#2 being the retail boxed processor

the second two are also amd 64 939's except with the 90nm winchester core
#3 oem
#4 retail

personally, i'd get a retail winchester since they run cooler than the newcastle cores.
tho i have seen winchsters cheaper than 315(usd?). i'd check zipzoomfly or newegg.
if you can, you might also want to wait till mid april for the new venice cores
(90nm w/ SS3 stepping E3) to become widely available.

edit: ok, only a hair cheaper. from what i've read people have also done well with the asus a8v and a winchester 3000 or 3200

 

[ribbon13]

Save yourself $15+
Or $110

$227 DFI LANPARTY NF4 SLI-DR


Is this for gaming? I'd get the 3200 and put the savings into a nicer video card.

 

[Amaroque]

I would go with the 90nm Winchester core. They usually OC better. They also run cooler, and consume less power then an equivalent 130nm Newcastle core.

As far as retail Vs OEM, If you're trying to get every last MHz out of the CPU, an OEM CPU with an XP120 has a better "chance" of clocking higher. YMMV with any chip though.

The retail HSF doesn't seem to be much of a limiting factor. Plus, you're getting AMD's 3 year warranty as opposed to a (IIRC) 60 day warranty with an OEM CPU.

The ultimate deciding factor is what's more important to you personally.