Which Barton to buy?

[sykopath79]

I am in the market for an Barton core Athlon XP to replace my current 1.33 GHz T-bird. I have a fairly limited budget to work with and I know there's no way in hell I can afford to spend $450 or more for the 3200+, so I'm planning to either buy a 3000+ to save a couple hundred dollars, or ideally save even more by getting a 2800+ or 2500+ and OCing it.

My main question is this: will the 2800+ or 2500+ Barton (stock FSB 333 MHz) be stable at a 400 MHz FSB (or higher)? If I can buy a 2800+ and have it running 100% stable at 400 MHz FSB then there will be much rejoicing as I will have saved several hundred dollars and have something as fast or faster than a 3200+.

Secondary question: if I try to OC beyond 400 MHz FSB, should I invest in DDR433 or DDR 500 or would a high-quality DDR400 suffice (e.g. Corsair XMS)?

 

[boyRacer]

2500+... 400 FSB is almost guaranteed.

 

[wicktron]

2500

 

[Shimmishim]

for nforce2 i wouldn't recommend anything higher than ddr433..

if you want the best then i think mushkin level 2 black pc3500 is the way to go.. can do 2-2-2-X on nforce2 boards at 217 mhz fsb..

 

[Evdawg]

agreed... 2500 is a cool running processsor too..... yea, get the 2500, easy to OC

 

[sykopath79]

...and as a subquestion, which I forgot to ask the first time: will I be able to get by with aircooling, and if so what's the best HSF to get? I'm using a Thermalright SK6 with my T-bird currently and I am thinking of getting the SLK-800 and pairing it with an 80mm fan. Sufficient for a 2500+ @ 400 FSB?

Will I be needing to overvolt the 2500+ or will it hit 400 at stock vcore?

Yeah I know... lots of questions... I just don't want to f00k this up.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I am getting a DFI NFII and a 2500+ with corsair XMS1024 and intend to use an SLK-800a with a Tt Smart Fan 2. I am very confident that these parts will more than suffice for what ocing i intend to do even witht he overvolting. I am hoping to get a 215 with an 11x multi at about 1.85 volts(less voltage if possible of course).

 

[Corporate Thug]

2500+

 

[Jeff7181]

XP2500 most definately.

As far as cooling... you don't NEED extraordinary cooling... you could easily use the stock heatsink/fan for some overclocking as long as you have good airflow through the case.

Even thought it's not necessary like it use to be, an aftermarket heatsink would probably be better if you plan to overclock the processor over 2.0 Ghz. I would recommend an SK-7 or if you wanna get something a tad better, an SLK-800. Pair that with a good fan, like an 80mm 2500 RPM Panaflo ( I just bought one and I like it ) or something similar to that. I've even used 1500 RPM 80mm case fans and they do a decent job as well.

 

[pspada]

I had a 2500+, but I'm much happier with my current 3000+ running 11.5x200fsb stock voltage.