Should any A64 3200+ Venice be overclockable to fsb 250?

[mshan]

I am not really much of an overclocker, but if I am shopping for an Athlon64 3200+ Venice, should pretty much any chip be able to do fsb 250 (at safe and reasonabl voltages)?

Also, could someone tell me what steppings are particularly desireable?

(I would most likely run the chip at stock voltage and speed on an Asus A8N-VM CSM primarily as an HTPC), but I would like to have the option of going to fsb 250 if I ever move up to another board (3200+ speed and fsb 250 supposed to be an "easy" overclock because hypertransport simply goes to 1000 and use a 5:4 divider on my Corsair Value Select PC3200 memory?)

 

[TrevorRC]

Yes, for the majority of the chips you'll be able to. As always, there are a few bad eggs.
But you should be fine.

With 1.5v, you'll be able to get even some of the weakest Venices to 2.5
It's after that where High 1.5s/1.6s are needed.

 

[mshan]

I read that the E6 and E3 steppings were most desireable.

Is this still true? And how do I identify an E6 or E3 stepping?

 

[Fallengod]

The model number BW at the end is E6, BP is E3.

 

[mshan]

Are these still the best overclocking steppings?

And which is better, E3 or E6?

 

[Fallengod]

Well E3 generally overclock the best, but ive seen some E6's that oc great as well.

Of course, even E3's can suck at ocing as well. It depends on the stepping code. Thats listed on the actual chip.

You should have no problem getting at least 2.5ghz with any E3 venice. They are great bang 4 buck. Of course, opterons are even better.

 

[mshan]

Might it be possible to explain how to read these stepping codes to an overclocking newbie?

 

[Fallengod]

Youre on your own with that one. Im not experienced enough to tell you what stepping weeks/codes are the best heh. You can go to like xtemesystems.org and ask. Its pretty much random unless you search around and see what other people got at same steppings.

Generally people say, early numbers like 0516, 0517 etc are better but.....