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266, 333, 400 FSB values mean anything?

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DeathONator

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2002
Location
Colorado, USA
Ok, my real question is what difference would there be in performance between a 266mhz barton 2600+ running @ 166mhz x 13 = 2158mhz. And a 333mhz barton 2600+ at 166mhz x 13. I'm not sure if they have difference sized caches or not, but regardless of cache size. I mean couldn't AMD come out w/ a 500mhz FSB chip tommorrow just by making it's default values 250mhz x "a lower multiplier"? My 266 t-bird will do over 225mhz FSB.

I'm asking this just to understand this stuff better. I'm not really seeing why default FSB speeds matter. You can make them whatever your mobo/memory can take. I guess the 333mhz core should overclock higher than the 266mhz core, based on the L12 (wire trick) mod results, but that's about all I see.

I was also kinda looking at getting a 400mhz barton when they get below $150 (a ways away, I know).

What are your thoughts on this?
 
Technically you need your PC2100 ram for so called 266 FSB chips, PC2700 ram for 333 FSB chips and so on...
DDR specifications:
http://www.pbase.com/image/19261650/original

FSB is more important than MHz. So it matters a lot...
http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=176698

Thiey did come out with 400 FSB chip Athlon XP 3000+
(Apr 2003) and Athlon XP 3200+ (May 2003)
http://www.pbase.com/image/17079307/original
Technically you need PC3200 for that.

Default FSB speeds matter because a fraction of CPU sales goes to overclockers who raise voltage a little bit to get cheaper chips to perform as their more expensive counterparts.

No need to wait for the price to drop to $150.

Get a $88 or so Barton and a good all copper heatsink with this RAM:
twinmos/ch-5 winbond pc3200
http://www.memoryx.net/gn256pc3200.html

and with luck on an nForce2 mobo, you should be hitting higher FSBs than those 3200+s have at default.
 
I'm not a total newb but anyways... So you're saying default FSB speeds don't matter at all to us overclockers? Or are you agreeing w/ my statement that the only advanage of a higher rated FSB chip is that it will probably overclock higher? What if you do the L12 mod to the 266 chip to make it act like a 333 chip, then what would be the point? We're not talking about memory speeds here or anything, just about the CPU.

I know I'm kinda playing the devils advicate since a 333mhz bartons is cheaper than a 266 one, but I just wanna understand when/where the RATED FSB FOR A CPU matter to us overclockers. And how does it matter in comparison to all those Intel people who have higher CPU FSBs but they have to run their memory w/ a stinking devider.

Now either I didn't state my thought clearly the first time or you misunderstood alot. BTW I have watercooling, I don't need a high performance HS. And I'm getting 2x256MB Corsair 3500 XMS w/ BH-5 for $130 shipped, I was planning on getting 3200 but the price was right.
 
Your question was so good that answer was posted to help others (I knew you had watercooling).

Yes, in my opinion, the only advantage of higher rated FSB chips as far as 3000+ and 3200+ chips are concerned overclock maybe just a little higher because wafer quality may be better but they come at disproportionatelly high price so it's not worth it in any case for most.
 
:) I see. I'm pretty happy w/ my tbird right now (we'll see how long that lasts). So maybe by the time I'm ready to upgrade the CPU they'll be worth it. Right now I just have to worry about getting a 9800 or something for HL2!
 
Well how about this: T-Bird 1600 MHz is like Athlon XP 1600+ so after eBaying the Thunderbird, you can take this guaranteed $49 T-Bred B
http://www.gameve.com/store/gameve_viewitem.asp?idproduct=267
to like 2600+ or 3000+.

That would be a healthy jump from 1600+ for like twenty bucks.

_____________________
2100+ AIUHB 0248 MPMW
256MB Crucial PC2100 + 2x 256MB Kingston (Hynix chip) PC2100 @ 6 3 3 2
[152] FSB x 15 = 2280 MHz @ 1.8 Vcore with memory frequency at 100% [152] @ 2.77 Vdimm
37(min) C to 46(max) C Winter ; 42(min) C to 50(max) C Summer
Epox 8RDA+
Thermalright SK-7 with variable speed 80x25mm YS-Tech FD1281259B-2F
BFG GeForce4 Ti4200 8X 128MB; Antec SX-835II case ; 350W Antec SmartPower SL350
 
Yeah, I dunno. Since the tbird isn't really hurting me right now I think I just hold on to it until I feel it's slowing me down. Then I can get something even better than what I would get now.
 
The highest overclocks of the entire Athlon XP line (present and future) are and will be in the 2.3 to 2.5 GHz average range.

Think about that. (!)

Cheap $49 1700+ T-Bred B goes to 2.2 to 2.3.

More expensive "guaranteed code" 1700+ goes to, what, 100-200MHz higher maybe.


Note that Hammers don't go on Socket A mobos so out of curiosity, what do you hope to OC to in the future?
 
Will the thortons fit in Socket A mobos? If not I spose I would get a 2600+ or 3000+. But you make a valid point. I should probably considering upgrade the CPU more seriously. If I get a REALLY good 2600+ and overclock it the the max how much faster will it be compared w/ a 1700+ overclocked to the max? Thanks for your replies btw!
 
Actually, you made a good point. Thorton will fit current mobos and 2000+ Athlon FX Thorton may be the way to go but they are not due before I'd say a little less than 3 months or so.

The whole point with your case is a prospect of getting an immediate replacement for $20 give or take...

If you want to spend $, then it's 2100+ T-Bred B $6x or 2500+ Barton $8x-$9x.

2600+ Thorton is nowhere near in sight & 2600+ XP is out of the question as everyone buys 2500+ Barton or 2100+ T-Bred now.
(It used to be DLT3C 1700+ T-Bred B but now that 2100+ is cheaper, it's a better option.)
 
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