To unlock or not to unlock?

[Caffinehog]

OK, I've been looking but I can't find this info.... I know the benefits of increasing the FSB, but beyond that, can you usually get more out of a processor by increasing the multiplier as well? I've been wondering if there is any point in unlocking my 1600XP.

P.S. Thanks to you guys, I have it running rock solid at 1.5GHz. Goes up to 52 under load with current HSF, but I'm holding out for the thermalright AX-7.

[WarriorII]

OK, if I am understanding you right....

FSB o/c'ing increases TOTAL SYSTEM performance.
(cpu,vid card,hard drive, memory.....)

And Multiplier o/c'ing increases CPU performance only. If I understand things correctly.

QUOTE:
I've been wondering if there is any point in
unlocking my 1600XP.
----------------------------------
TO MAKE IT GO FASTER ! :D

:cool:

[Caffinehog]

Yeah, I know... But do you think I can get more out of my CPU by unlocking it? Bus is at 142 right now. Any higher and it crashes. Memory works perfectly according to memtest86. Could be PCI or vid cards. Crashes above 142 include onboard sound reinstalling itself and lotsa javascript errors on webpages. 145 causes startup errors. Temp maxs out at 52C under SiSoft burn-in. Idle is 48C (I know.... I need a new heatsink.) Think unlocking (and a new heatsink) will get me more?

[paupton]

If you unlock your cpu you can oc without using the fsb. I unlocked my xp1700 and was able to go to 1600 with just the multiplier and voltage. I read this in Toms hardware guide. It worked. Its not hard to unlock the xp. Id say go for it. Take your time and do it right the first time
good luck

[donny_paycheck]

FSB overclocks everything, yes....but it stresses everything so you're much more apt to find a weak component.

The best oc will come from a combination of the highest stable FSB frequency and the highest stable multiplier. Find each independently, then try both at once. If it fails, back off one of them, then try the other one, then both at once....etc. It takes time but with an unlocked chip and a good system you can go sky high.

[stompah]

This is what I did.

I O/Ced my 1800+ 1.72g (150fsb) using FSB. But because it is not easy to unlock it and I got the chip when it first came out, I used an unlocked 1g Athlon to max out my FSB on my board. I was totally stable at full speed allowable by my board which is 164FSB.

So now I see no reason to unlock my multiplier cause I know my system is stable up to 164Mhz and my max O/C on the XP is 150FSB.



Now if I was doing some extreme O/Cing then I would unlock the chip. Extreme meaning pelts/water.

Goodluck. I hope you have an unlocked chip laying around somewhere.

[The Coolest]

Or if u don't have another spare chip.. w/ unlocked CPU u can up the multiplier until ur not stable, take it down a notch, till u r stable, and then increase the FSB... that's what I firstly did...
But after five months I got this comp, I had the nerve to max out the FSB... I got to 167MHz CAS 3 and not stable but it could do more... Now I'm pretty much 100% stable at 149MHz, at 150 I had some lockups rarely...

[paupton]

the only bad thing about unlocking a chip is RMA. If you use Super Gel to fill the trench and a removable paint to close the pins you can use nail polish remover to take these things off if you have to return the chip for any reason. Just be patient as you go thru the unlock process. Toms Hardware has a good video on the whole process. Take time to watch it and read the articles. It is a cinch to do the job so dont be intimidated.
Those who study long study wrong. Get busy.
good luck

[Myself and I]

i used super glue on my xp 2000+ and silver paint and it came off just fine. Just be very careful and try to do everything perfect the first time. I am getting my cpu thursday