Best value CPU?

[Venesectrix]

I need a good AMD CPU which overclocks well and will cost less than $100 (including fan/heatsink). I've been leaning towards the XP 1700+ T-bred since I've seen on the CPU database that it overclocks really well, but is there a better/faster/cheaper CPU for lss than $100? Do Durons overclock better? Do I have to unlock the 1700+, or is there anything that makes it harder to overclock? Any info would be greatly appreciated :)






PS: I'm using a Shuttle AN35N motherboard if you need to know ;)

[1Time]

Barton 2500+ at NewEgg is on sale for about $90. Then you could get a cheap HSF from SVCompucycle for about $10 shipped.

[tom10167]

If that's including heatsink I would step the processor down, the 1700 sounds good, try and pick up a better HSF, I think that'll hold you back first before anything else would.

[shiyan]

depends on how much overclocking you will do.

if you won't overclock, then the 2500+ with stock heatsink will do. This can be found for $90 at Newegg.

if you plan on overclocking a lot, then something like a 1800+ with a very good heatsink (say a SK7 with a Smartfan 2) might be better. The 1800+ Tbred can be found at Newegg for just $51, and a SK7 with Smartfan2 will cost less than $39.

[Deathknight]

If you are trying to keep total cost including cooling down under $100 then go with the 1700 or 1800+ DLT3C.

[Speed_Mechanic2]

An AMD Duron (Applebred) is a real good value at only $38/$41 (1.4GHz/1.6GHz). With a L2 mod, it gets the same cache as a Thoroughbred-B (256KB) and is capable of getting 2-2.2GHz with a good HSF/good airflow.

An AMD Athlon XP 2000+ "Thorton" is also a good buy for $60-ish if you can find one. It needs a simple "connect 2 pins" mod to have a 512KB L2 cache, the same as a Barton. Although finding a online reseller that will sell one is hard right now.

[modenaf1]

Originally posted by Speed_Mechanic2
An AMD Duron (Applebred) is a real good value at only $38/$41 (1.4GHz/1.6GHz). With a L2 mod, it gets the same cache as a Thoroughbred-B (256KB) and is capable of getting 2-2.2GHz with a good HSF/good airflow.

An AMD Athlon XP 2000+ "Thorton" is also a good buy for $60-ish if you can find one. It needs a simple "connect 2 pins" mod to have a 512KB L2 cache, the same as a Barton. Although finding a online reseller that will sell one is hard right now.

now i thought the applebread had the same chache as the tbred to begin with? huh i must have been mistaken.

anyways, yes the thorton, and 2500, and 1700 or 1800DLT3C and the apple bread durons are all great cpu's, i don tknow about how much the durons O/C but i sure know my 1700 overclocks like a bat out of he**! it also can go down to 1.0VCORE and put off 20 watts of heat :D

[mata2974]

the DLT3C 1700 or 1800 are cheap and good OC, you will never regret!!

[rugbyroy]

I'd go with the 1700 with a good stepping. The stepping in my sig is working great for me. Had it at 2.3ghz all summer even with the heat.

[OC Detective]

Probably most of the XP1700 have gone so it would seem the best bet is the latest XP1800's - although if you could just stretch it a bit the newest XP2500 Barton are overclocking really well and have the additional cache - especially good if you are into gaming.