2500 the best for OC?

[erteg]

Just a few questions from a first-time overclocker:

1.) It seems the 2500+ Barton has been the most popular low cost/high performance processor for months now. Is it still going to be the best value for much longer, or should I consider something a bit faster now?

2.) What is this about AMD being lame and 'locking' new CPU's?
-How much does it affect the overclocking potential for a CPU?
-can they be manually unlocked?
-how can I make sure I don't get a locked version in the first place?

3.) What is currently the best stepping I should be looking for?

Lots of questions I know, I don't expect everyone to answer them all but any knowledge is appreciated

[John Prophet]

Welcome to the forum!

I am sure there are/always will be ways to unlock cpu's.

They even make adapters now that unlock em...very easy to use.
like this one http://www.strattoncomputer.com/amd-xp-tmc-b.html


JP

edit-----------

here is a thread discussing which cpu's are ocked or unlocked...they are under the impression that there is no way to unlock em...BUT, I am sure there will be a way http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showth...ghlight=locked

By the way..that thread has 37 pages, lol...so it might take some browsing thru it to get it all in

[DallasDon]

1) The key word there is VALUE. For the price, combined with OC capabilities, I prefer it to slightly faster speeds.

2)Locking the multiplier is strictly a business decision, hoping to build market share for newer processors, IMO. As JP said, always ways around it, but a 200 x 11 OC is a reasonable OC. Anything higher is shortening the life of the CPU.

Processors manufactured before week 39 are unlocked. Its in the serial number, 2003039, something like that.

Urban legend has it that retail versions are really 3200s that didn't quite make spec. Worth if even if you toss the standard HSF, get a longer warranty.

Info on steppings attached. Don't know if the 2500 has only one, but I think so...

[Blazer06]

there was a article on Timo about unlocking the multiplier.. though it linked to one in russian. However it showed pictures, and you just need to connect the two dots with a lead pencil and its free.


Blaze

[erteg]

200 x 11

Thats 3200+ speed right?

...Should I use PC-3500 memory for the best results or is that overkill?

Thanks for the info so far.

[jmebonner]

If you're not going to push it past 3200, then pc3200 will be fine - that's what I'm running. However, if you wanna get crazy, then 3500 would be your best bet.

[erteg]

OK, just a few more questions for now:

Whats the best way to monitor the cpu temp, and what temperatures should you always try to stay under?

Everyone probably has their own opinions on the best mobo for OCing, but are there any good nforce 2 boards (good for overclockers I mean) with nvidia soundstorm?

[5atanic]

I would tend to try and make it stay under 58-60c at full load, it's a reasonably safe measure.

If you plan to O/C it over the 3200+ mark, then a 3rd party HSF would be recommended, but other than that the stock cooling supplied with the CPU is quite decent for the job.