The Best Celeron Tualatin for overclocking?

[XanderLo]

Hi,

I just sold my Pentium III 700E and ASUS CUSL2-C for 165$ so I am looking forward a cheap upgrade. I considered an ASUS TUSL2-C with a Celeron Tualatin.

Is the ASUS TUSL2-C a great motherboard for overclocking and stability? Can I manually change the PCI divider on it?

Finally, what Celeron (1.0A, 1.1A or 1.2) do you consider the best bang for the buck and the safest bet for a 133MHz FSB overclock?
Additionally, what kind of cooling would I need? (I presently have a Golden Orb) What kind of voltage would I need?

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions in advance,
Alex

 

[Richardito]

I currently have my new 1.0A Celeron running @1.52GHz (FSB@152MHz) and it is 100% stable. From the overclocked data I've read these Tualatin CPUs' seem to top out at about 1.5GHz, so try to get the 1.1A (11*133=1463MHz). The 1.2A might not make it (12*133= 1596MHz). Also be aware that some motherboards lock you VCore to a lower range when using a Tualatin chip (like my VH6T). In those situations you need to do a VID wire trick to raise the default volts and trick the modo.

 

[MilkPowderR]

<< Hi,

Is the ASUS TUSL2-C a great motherboard for overclocking and stability? Can I manually change the PCI divider on it?

Alex >>


No, that mobo will not let you change the PCI divider manually. You will have problems OC'ing with that board. I have heard so many problems people are having when they OC. Oldfart knows about the detail. He has experience on that board.

C1.0A is the easiest to OC to 133fsb or higher. You would get best performance if you manage it to run at 150+fsb.

 

[oldfart]

Actually, the TUSL2 is fine for a 1.0A. The problem with a TUSL2 (and also others) is the automatic 1/4 and 1/3 PCI adjustment. When you are 133 and above FSB, the PCI divider is 1/4, 132 and below, 1/3. This is a problem with a C1.2 @ say 125 FSB. With a 1/3 PCI, you are running 41.6 MHz PCI bus. If you could use a 1/4 PCI, you would be @ 31.25 MHz PCI. With a 1.0A, you will have no problem getting to 133 FSB, so it is not a problem. So, it depends on which Celeron-T you are using.

 

[Richardito]

<< Actually, the TUSL2 is fine for a 1.0A. The problem with a TUSL2 (and also others) is the automatic 1/4 and 1/3 PCI adjustment. When you are 133 and above FSB, the PCI divider is 1/4, 132 and below, 1/3. This is a problem with a C1.2 @ say 125 FSB. With a 1/3 PCI, you are running 41.6 MHz PCI bus. If you could use a 1/4 PCI, you would be @ 31.25 MHz PCI. With a 1.0A, you will have no problem getting to 133 FSB, so it is not a problem. So, it depends on which Celeron-T you are using. >>



If you want a good, cheap overclocking board for about $70 go for the Abit VH6T. Between 100 and 133MHz FSB it has both 1/3 and 1/4 dividers. I think at about 124MHz the PCI divider is 1/4 and underclocks your PCI and AGP cards. This comes in handy when you have a processor that can't quite make the FSB jump from 100-->133MHz.

 

[oldfart]

If you want the flexable 1/4 and 1/3 dividers, go with a good 815 based board like the ABIT ST6 or Gigabyte GA6OXET(-C).

 

[Richardito]

<< If you want the flexable 1/4 and 1/3 dividers, go with a good 815 based board like the ABIT ST6 or Gigabyte GA6OXET(-C). >>



IMHO VIA based chipset boards like the VH6T are much more flexible than Intel ones. For one you can have a CPU running at a FSB of 100MHz and the memory @133MHz. Try that from an Intel chipset mobo... imposible.

 

[oldfart]

I'll take an 815 over the VIA. Better stability, no 686B issues, better memory performance, better IDE performance. Yeah, the 100/133 isn't there, but I have never needed to run it. I always run above 133 anyway. I run my current rig @ 158 FSB 158 mem.

 

[XanderLo]

I ordered a Celeron 1.2GHz with a Thermalright SK6 w/ Thermaltake 31cfm fan.
I was going to order an Abit ST6 for the flexibility for they're B/O.

Can I adjust Vcore with the TUSL2-C on Tualatin processors now? ...they got them in stock.

Thanks for the tips,
Alex

 

[oldfart]

The TUSL2 is the wrong mobo for a C1.2A. Most C1.2's won't make it to 133 FSB. They usually get to 125 or so FSB. With the TUSL2, you will have a 1/3 divider, 41.6 MHz PCI. Find the ST6 or Gigabyte GA6OXET-C somewhere. IMHO, you are better off with a C1.0A. You are sure to get to 133+ FSB with that setup.

 

[MadRat]

You want a 1.1GHz/100fsb Celeron, or 1.0GHz/100fsb P!!! Taulitan, for best results.

 

[AkumaX]

i just got my cousin a tusl2-c and celeron 1.1a. o/c to 1.466mhz no problem, just upped the vcore a notch using the latest bios

 

[XanderLo]

One of my friend reached 1.6GHz with stock voltage on a Celeron 1.2GHz.
I'm pretty positive I can reach 1.6GHz with the Thermalright SK6 heatsink I ordered.

With the latest BIOS, does the TUSL2-C allow you to change Vcore?

...I must find an ST6. :\

 

[oldfart]

Yes, you can adjust voltage with a TUSL2. If you can make 133 FSB, you are in good shape. The 1/4 PCI kicks in. Hope you get a good chip and it all works out for ya! Let us kinow.

 

[XanderLo]

I've heard there were issues adjusting Vcore on the TUSL2-C, are these fixed with the latest BIOS revision?

Thanks

 

[XanderLo]

Hi all,

I finally got my stuff together.
First, thanks everyone for the help and suggestions. Now, as you requested, here's what happened :

I bought an Intel Celeron 1.2GHz, an ASUS TUSL2-C and a Thermalright SK6 with a ThermalTake 21cfm fan (it's supposed to be 31cfm, gonna contact the store)

I did a lot of tests, but it always crashed or wouldn't POST at all at 1.6GHz. I then applied the Vcore mod (http://203.174.72.113/garageoyaji/PartsReorg/PartsReo_Cele12DefUp.html) to my CPU to enable higher Vcore options. Then, at 1.725V+, it posted at 1.6GHz but it was unstable. It would crash in Prime95/3DMark etc. HARD and EASILY. With further tests, I realized my PC100 memory stick couldn't keep up with the bus speed so I removed them all and only let my Toshiba PC133 stick in. Everything magically worked perfectly at 1.775V. Then, I tried 1.725V - rock solid.. then 1.675V, rock solid. Now, I can't go lower since the Vcore mod allows for a range of 1.675V to 1.825V so currently, here are the specs :

Intel Celeron 1.2GHz @ 1.6GHz - 1.675V (once I'm 105% sure it's solid as rock, I'm going to remove the Vcore mod so I can try lower V)
ASUS TUSL2-C with the hacked 1012 Beta BIOS (modified ASUS BIOS, everyone should use it) @ www.x86-secret.com
Thermalright SK6 with a ThermalTake 21cfm fan (store is gonna replace it with a 31cfm, that's what I paid for)
Standard Silicon Free Thermal Paste

That's it, thanks everyone.
This upgrade, from an ASUS CUSL2-C/P3-700E to ASUS TUSL2-C/Celeron 1.6GHz cost me 0$ - now, who can get a better deal?

 

[ElFenix]

at 1.775 you're lucky to have not destroyed that processor. doesn't take much extra voltage to make a part of the processor that shouldn't be conducting into a part that does.

 

[Richardito]

<< at 1.775 you're lucky to have not destroyed that processor. doesn't take much extra voltage to make a part of the processor that shouldn't be conducting into a part that does. >>


That is just not true for this CPU. I have over 1.8v on my 1.0A and it has been rock stable on my VH6T mobo for a month (with max temps of 31-34ºC). And if something happens, hello 3-year warranty!

 

[jc582]

What store did you buy the processor and motherboard from? I can't seem to find the Asus TUSL2-C motherboard for a good price anywhere.

 

[XanderLo]

I bought both parts from a store where my friend works in Joliette, Quebec.
I had two Celeron 1.2GHz and two ASUS TUSL2-C to test with so I got the best chip that did 1.6GHz =)

I don't think it'll help but I still took the time to answer you

 

[Richardito]

<< What store did you buy the processor and motherboard from? I can't seem to find the Asus TUSL2-C motherboard for a good price anywhere. >>


Check PriceWatch and compare the prices. You can get an ABIT VH6T, the one that I've got, for about $70.

 

[XanderLo]

If the VH6T is based on VIA, avoid it at all cost.

Do yourself a favor, get an Intel chipset for Intel CPUs. =)