Which P4 to buy

[Oldtimer]

Getting ready to upgrade and suffer from choice overload. Want to stay about $200 for CPU. I think the 2.4 is the one but how to choose between 400 or 533. Which family 400 vs 533 usually has the most OC potential? I would think the 400 but see a lot of people seem to have good results with 533. Can somebody help explain the pros & cons of each. They seem to be within a couple $ which doesn't make the selection any easier. Also considering Albatron, Abit, or Asus mobo. Recommendations?Thanks.
OT

 

[DivideBYZero]

XP 2400+

 

[Stallion]

I just got a 1.8A and it's zipping along at 2.6 with no problems, just bumped voltage to 1.550 on an Asus P4PE with a 512mg stick of Corsair XMS3200.

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

i think the 2.4 w/533fsb is the better choice as it comes iwth a lower mult

the mobo depends if you need the newer features, or just overclocking?
features:
i845pe chipset-asus p4pe (sound will crap out around 150+ fsb though most likely) or another i845pe chipset board (Friends got a system with 1.6a>2.6ghz on this board)

overclocking:
abit it7max
asus p4b533

those are the boards i would pick from

 

[Ausm]

My asus P4PE is an excellent choice for overclocking, right now I have a 2.0A northy O\C'ed to 2.5 gig but I soon will be getting a 2.66 northy should be able to go well above the 3.0gig plateau with this rig.

Ausm

 

[jhites]

If you wait another week of two, the 1.8 - 2.0A should be showing up with the new C1 stepping.

High probability to get 3Ghz fairly easy and for well under $200.

 

[neo4s]

I just got a 1.8GHz and Im pretty happy with it. I dont do much gaming and i was on a tight budget. I think the 1.8 is about the best value, and you can OC the hell out of it. Be sure to get a northwood with 512k L2 cache

 

[Bad Dude]

Why is the lower multiplier ones better? I thought with 400FSB you can up the bus speed up higher if your RAM is not that good, you have more room to clock it higher. Is that right?

 

[CraigRT]

I'd get a 1.8 in hopes of a good overclock, or a bit more money, but a 2.4B for some re-assurance.