What would you say is the best socket 754 CPU for overclocking?

[Brutuskend]

Best bang for your buck?

I bought a 3100+ Mobile off of Ebay and it's starting to look like I got ripped off. I was interested in the mobile because it uses a lower voltage and has more L2 Cache, but it also appears as if DFI doesn't (officially) support the Mobile processors in their boards.

Looks like the Semprons are doing pretty well in the O/C dept. so I'm leaning toward one of them. Also will I notice any difference between a Sempron 64 and a 32 bit Sempron?

T.I.A.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Both the Paris 32-bit Semprons and Palermo 64-bit Semprons OC very well. However, the Paris core Semprons (Revision E) are generally considered to OC slightly better and run cooler because of the thinner process and lower voltage.

With a great overclocking board like the DFI, you could easily hit 2.4-2.6Ghz. My 3100+ E6 is currently running at 309x8=2.5Ghz with just a slight bump in voltage. Using the newer X2 AMD Heatpipe HSF, my load temps don't go over 45C.

 

[Brutuskend]

Thanks!

 

[Zap]

Definately the E3 or E6 Semprons for overclocking. Which one you choose depends on whether you want 128k or 256k cache, and what multiplier. Your multiplier choice may be determined by your motherboard choice because some of the lower end Semprons have really low multipliers which means even on the BEST overclocking boards (DFI included) you may be motherboard limited on your overclock.

 

[furballi]

Even a good Sempron will probably run out of gas around 2.6GHz. Very few can hit stability at 2.7GHz. I personally would not pay more than $70 for a Sempron.

 

[Ionizer86]

Isn't there an A64 3000+ Venice for S754 now? Could be a nice chip.

 

[Zap]

Yeah, socket 754 Venice 3000+ for about $115 or so.

I have a Sempron 3300+ that cost $81 shipped (new OEM) that can do 2.75GHz.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Both the Paris 32-bit Semprons and Palermo 64-bit Semprons OC very well. However, the Paris core Semprons (Revision E) are generally considered to OC slightly better and run cooler because of the thinner process and lower voltage.

With a great overclocking board like the DFI, you could easily hit 2.4-2.6Ghz. My 3100+ E6 is currently running at 309x8=2.5Ghz with just a slight bump in voltage. Using the newer X2 AMD Heatpipe HSF, my load temps don't go over 45C.

Actually, it's the Palermo that runs on the small process/less voltage
Paris was the 130nm, 32bit core, and Palermo is the 90nm, 64bit/SSE3 (generally) core.

I've tinkered with a couple Palermos. Had excellent results with my original 2800+, getting almost 2.7ghz of an overclock with it on a DFI NF3 250GB. Back then, that set me back $90. Now you can get a 2800+ for around $70, maybe higher models for less if you look around and catch a good deal.

OP, also note that any model Sempron below the 3100+ cannot run with Cool and Quiet enabled, if that is important to you. Also, some models only have 128KB L2 cache, which while not a performance killer, certainly isn't as desireable as the 256KB L2 cache versions.

 

[xenolith]

If you can afford it, I recommend a Newark. The 4000+ Newark is available @ newegg for $300. 3ghz is very possible, but with really good cooling.

Just be advised this is a mobile s754, so there's no IHS, which can complicate mounting some heatsinks.

I simply love my Newark/DFI NF3 rig (in sig). But the 3700+ is not easy to find anymore. I also have a 146 Opteron/DFI NF4 rig, but guess which one I find myself always using... my Newark rig.

 

[wazzledoozle]

Originally posted by: xenolith
If you can afford it, I recommend a Newark. The 4000+ Newark is available @ newegg for $300. 3ghz is very possible, but with really good cooling.

Just be advised this is a mobile s754, so there's no IHS, which can complicate mounting some heatsinks.

I simply love my Newark/DFI NF3 rig (in sig). But the 3700+ is not easy to find anymore. I also have a 146 Opteron/DFI NF4 rig, but guess which one I find myself always using... my Newark rig.

For $300 you can get a dual core opteron or a nice 939 board and singe core opteron...

A good overclocking cpu for socket 754 would be any of the Sempron 64. If you buy it new, it should generally be the E3 (winchester) or E6 (venice) revision. I got a 2600 E6 for $50 from a guy on craigslist, and it overclocks very nicely. Ive got it at 2.4 ghz stock vcore 300x8, with the htt running at 300x3, or 1.8 ghz overall. The cpu is begging for more, it has a load temp of 38 celsius on the quad heatpipe opteron heatsink, grab one from ebay if you can.

If I were to get another sempron, I would get something with a higher multiplier. I dont know how much HTT this K8N Neo has left in it, but from what ive seen 300htt is pushing it.

 

[Zap]

Both E3 and E6 are analogous to Venice. D0 is son of Winchester. I've got a D0 Sempron 2600+ and I've had it running at 2.52GHz before... but using 1.65v!!! :Q

With a willing chip and your board known stable to 300MHz HTT, a 3000+/3100+ could be running 2.7GHz for you. That would be a really nice setup. :thumbsup:

My $79 ($2 shipping for $81 shipped, no tax) Sempron 3300+ running at 2.75GHz was on a Biostar Tforce6100 board that I got from Newegg refurb for under $45 shipped (forgot exact price). Coupled with the quad heatpipe retail box cooler from eBay for $15 shipped and that makes for a very capable $140 combo. Got a refurb $120 X800GTO with it now. Budget gaming!

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Semprons and Venice-based A64s (my 3000+ is running at 2.6GHz).

 

[drpootums]

I have a 3400+ newcastle CPU (socket 754). My temps are around 45 or so idle and get up to 54-55C load, do you think those temps are low enough to go ahead and overclock the CPU? (i've heard that the 3400+ can do up to 2.7-2.8 in some cases, and i'd like to try that!)

 

[stelleg151]

I would say 2800+ palermo is sweet spot. 64bit, 256kb, and high enough multi for good OC with good board. I would guess at least 2.4-2.7, for 70-80 bucks its a steal.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: drpootums
I have a 3400+ newcastle CPU (socket 754). My temps are around 45 or so idle and get up to 54-55C load, do you think those temps are low enough to go ahead and overclock the CPU? (i've heard that the 3400+ can do up to 2.7-2.8 in some cases, and i'd like to try that!)

I had a 3400+ Newcastle and it only got up to about 2.5GHz... about the same as my 2800+ Newcastle that I had. 2.7-2.8GHz is really pushing it and I don't think it likely. Once above 2.5GHz both chips started requiring big voltage and of course put out lots of heat.

 

[rmed64]

Originally posted by: stelleg151
I would say 2800+ palermo is sweet spot. 64bit, 256kb, and high enough multi for good OC with good board. I would guess at least 2.4-2.7, for 70-80 bucks its a steal.

Yep, I agree (points to sig)

But to the original poster, whichever processor you decide to get, I would recommend making sure its a 256 L2 cache version or higher.

 

[PingSpike]

The 256k 2800+ with the palermo always seemed like the best choice out of the semprons to me. Anything besides the semprons I'd probably just get a 939 chip because the chips are priced about the same, and I feel the small boost in price for a 939 motherboard is worth it at that point.

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: Ionizer86
Isn't there an A64 3000+ Venice for S754 now? Could be a nice chip.

They are a very nice cpu, I have one (E6) and it will overclock to 2.5ghz(250mhz fsb) at stock voltages...I would love to try further but my GA-K8NS PRO will not boot past 250mhz...so I don't know what the CPU is really capable of but it runs my 3000+@2.5ghz no worries at all.

the temps are below 30c at full load using a thermaltake Aquarius 2 water cooling kit.

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: Avalon

OP, also note that any model Sempron below the 3100+ cannot run with Cool and Quiet enabled, if that is important to you. Also, some models only have 128KB L2 cache, which while not a performance killer, certainly isn't as desireable as the 256KB L2 cache versions.

correction.. 3000+ does have cool & quiet, 2800+ and below do not have this feature.