CUSL2: Which P3 to use and how to do it?

[Publius]

[First-time poster.] I'm about to get a CUSL2 with 256 MB of Crucial CAS2 133 RAM. I've been checking out this forum and other places to determine whether I should just get an 866EB and run at standard speed, or else go for a 700-800E and overclock. From just reading, I can't nail down some questions I have.

I'm not really an "extreme" user: no gaming; just word processing, Web browsing -- and the most intense thing I'll do is process and edit WAV & MP3 files and burn CD's. (This is the key reason I'm upgrading.) So, then....

1) Should I even be overclocking?

2) If I can, then is the 700E still the best bet, vs. the 750E or 800E? Are these last two too risky (I'm not made of $$$)?

3) How can I look for CC0 stepping? Is this even possible when shopping around?

4) I've been reading CUSL2 users who have trouble running 100 MHz CPU's at 133 MHz. I don't get it: couldn't one just set the board at 133:133:33, provided one has PC-133 RAM (which I will)? What kind of problems would there be with doing that?

5) Is the Intel boxed CPU fan good enough for straight-up 133 FSB [e.g 700 => 933 MHz]? (I have an Enlight 7233 case with two case fans, one intake, one exhaust.) If I need something better, what works well with CUSL2? (Only air cooling, please; nothing too involved. If I can't reach a gig, no big deal -- unless I could run an 800E with a 133 FSB!)

Thanks.

[wild_andy_c]

Get a 700e - do you really think that you'll do 133Mhz with a 800e???

[Tachyon]

Publius (Jan 26, 2001 03:55 p.m.):
[First-time poster.] I'm about to get a CUSL2 with 256 MB of Crucial CAS2 133 RAM. I've been checking out this forum and other places to determine whether I should just get an 866EB and run at standard speed, or else go for a 700-800E and overclock. From just reading, I can't nail down some questions I have.

I'm not really an "extreme" user: no gaming; just word processing, Web browsing -- and the most intense thing I'll do is process and edit WAV & MP3 files and burn CD's. (This is the key reason I'm upgrading.) So, then....

1) Should I even be overclocking?

Overclocking is a great way to truely learn about your system. :)

2) If I can, then is the 700E still the best bet, vs. the 750E or 800E? Are these last two too risky (I'm not made of $$$)?

The 700E has the best track record for overclocking compared to the other chips.

3) How can I look for CC0 stepping? Is this even possible when shopping around?

Yes, some places advertise thaht way.

4) I've been reading CUSL2 users who have trouble running 100 MHz CPU's at 133 MHz. I don't get it: couldn't one just set the board at 133:133:33, provided one has PC-133 RAM (which I will)? What kind of problems would there be with doing that?

The problem is that the chip is booted at default voltage then switched to the Vcore setting in BIOS. Some chips have a problem with this...others don't.

5) Is the Intel boxed CPU fan good enough for straight-up 133 FSB [e.g 700 => 933 MHz]? (I have an Enlight 7233 case with two case fans, one intake, one exhaust.) If I need something better, what works well with CUSL2? (Only air cooling, please; nothing too involved. If I can't reach a gig, no big deal -- unless I could run an 800E with a 133 FSB!)

If you overclock you should replace the stock HSF...the Alpha PAL6035 works well with the CUSL2.

Thanks.