XP-M questions

[Fricardo]

I'm just seriously getting into overclocking. I've never built a system specifically for it before, although I've researched hardware and worked on/built computers for years. Now I'm looking into an XP-M system for overclocking. Reading over the forums etc, I have a few questions:

1. What exactly is the stepping of a processor? How important is it to overclockability? Is there any way to determine it before buying a new CPU?

2. For all of those people who have bought XP-M processors, could you list the overclocks you have achieved for 2400+, 2500+ and 2600+ CPUs? Which is currently the best deal?

Thanks guys.

 

[Lyfer]

Certain steppings = better overclocking results, its just how lucky you are. But certain popular steppings assure you of better results. Most XP-m's should be able to do 2-2.5GHZ on air from what I've been reading, usually the 2600+ is a better choice because it can run 2GHZ at 1.45V which is quite good. Giving you the headroom to go even higher with more voltage.

 

[Fricardo]

Thanks Lyfer. I'm still just wondering if there is any way that you know what stepping it is before you buy. What are the good steppings?

Also, looking over more posts, it seems that steppings are related to the week of the processor. How are those related?

Thanks again

 

[hytek369]

Originally posted by: Fricardo
Thanks Lyfer. I'm still just wondering if there is any way that you know what stepping it is before you buy. What are the good steppings?

run a search on google

 

[Avalon]

You wont know what stepping it is if you buy off Newegg or such. If you buy off ebay, the seller might post what the stepping is, or you can ask him. Generally, all the steppings for the XP-Ms have been good. IQXFA and IQYFA were the good original steppings. Now you generally see IQYHA, which I have several of, and they're all excellent. I've gone through several XP-M 2500+s and they all do 2.4ghz @ around 1.7-1.8v. My 2600+ does 2.4ghz at 1.65v, which is an AQYHA stepping btw.

 

[Fricardo]

Thanks Avalon. How come you have that 2.0 GHz processor listed first for your rig?