2.8C vs 2.4C

[Blackguard]

Assuming that I will most likely be getting PC-3700 ram, which is recommended for optimal overclocking performance? 2.8C or 2.4C?

I've seen it argued that they both cap out at about the same speed, but with the 2.4C you'll be getting higher FSB speeds.

However, with the 2.8C, it seems you should be able to maintain a 1:1 ratio with the PC-3700 ram.

Opinions?

[Chris_F]

People say they both cap off at the same speed but I say otherwise. With a 2.4 your most likely to hit 3.3 or maybe 3.4GHz. If you check the CPU database you'll see that the average overclock is only 3.3GHz. With a 2.8C you can hit 3.5GHz and maybe even up to 3.8GHz. At 3.5GHz you'll have a fsb of 250 (quad pumped 1GHz). At that speed you can also keep your ram at 1:1.

I'm planing on getting a 2.8C sometime this summer.

[substratus]

all that I can offer is that in my experience, I have owned a 2.8, a 3.0, a 2.6 and a 2.4 (in that order), the first three hit the same ceiling around 3.2-3.3ghz, I have not overclocked the 2.4 yet (waiting on a new mobo to arrive). Moreover, I noticed I could get the FSB higher on the 2.6 than either the 2.8 or 3.0. The 1:1 ram advantage you get with the 2.8 or the 3.0 will not be as noticeable as the FSB increase you get with the 2.4. IMO, any P4 that overclocks stable over 3.2ghz is a lucky hand of cards, anything below 3.0 is a particularly unlucky hand (multiplier notwithstanding). Please bear in mind that these chips are essentially the same core with different multipliers burned in, they all have a similar tolerance for overall clock speed so why not take the chip that you can get the best FSB with. :)

[zabomb4163]

2.4C is best deal around right now in my mind. Buy it and take the money you saved and throw it into better cooling/better video card/memory.

[Chris_F]

With a 2.4C you'll have a 100MHz increase in fsb compared to a 2.8C maxed out. With a 2.8C you'll have a 200 to 400MHz clock speed increase compared to a 2.4C maxed out. If you want a cheeper CPU the 2.4C will be better. If you want a CPU that has a good chance of out performing a 2.4C, the 2.8C would be best.

If you ask me, I would go for the better clock speed. A 1GHz fsb is still just as good as a 1.1GHz fsb.

[Blackguard]

I'm already good to go on everything else...

eVGA e-GeForce FX 5900 Ultra
Thermalright SLK900 w/ Vantec Tornado
OCZ PC-3500EL, PC3700, or PC3700EL...

The only decisions left are the processor and ram.

The 3500EL (enhanced latency) looks rather good, and will probably clock up with the 2.8C perfectly well. The PC3700 doesn't seem to perform as well as the 3500EL, and the 3700EL is just really expensive (~450 for 1GB Dual Channel).

I'm not sure if I can justify a $150 price difference between the 3500EL and 3700EL when it's not very likely I'll surpass the limits of the 3500EL.

If I were to go with the 2.4C, I would probably get the 3700EL to keep a 1:1 ratio.

In the end, it seems the decision will be higher clock speed vs higher fsb speed. (2.8C/3500EL || 2.4C/3700EL).

[TROIDX]

YOU CAN GO FOR 2.4C AND THE REST OF THE MONEY CAN GO FOR A VERY GOOD RAM. I SAY THAT BECAUSE I THINK THE RAM WILL LONG MORE THAN THE CPU IN THE PASS OF TIME (PRESCOTT IS VERY CLOSE IN TIME TO HIT THE MARKET aka NEW MOBO,NEW CPU).AND ALSO THE 2.4C OVERCLOCKS NICE.