Which chip 3.0C or 3.2C - Goal is 3.75-3.8Ghz

I'm debating which chip to buy the 3.2C or the 3.0C to hit my goal of 3.75-3.8Ghz. My memory will do DDR515 so a 257FSB at 1:1 would be posible. I'm leaning towards the 3.2C because I think it may hit the goal alittle easier but many people are recommending a 3.0C.

3.0C
235FSB = 3.52GHZ
240FSB = 3.60GHZ
242FSB = 3.63GHZ
245FSB = 3.67GHZ
247FSB = 3.70GHZ
250FSB = 3.75GHZ

3.2C
230FSB = 3.68GHZ
232FSB = 3.71GHZ
235FSB = 3.76GHZ
237FSB = 3.79GHZ
240FSB = 3.84GHZ

The 3.2 can hit the goals at a lower FSB so even if the chip isn't the best overclocker, it stands a better chance at getting to 232FSB for 3.71Ghz. If the 3.0C isn't the best overclocker and only gets to 232FSB thats only 3.48Ghz.

All up to 257FSB will be run 1:1 Ratio.

So what chip would you guys recommend with my goals and the above info? I'm leaning towards 3.2C which is only $75cdn more then the 3.0C

With the going rates of 3.0c's today, they are more than capable of 3.7ghz, my aim is 4.0ghz

Im not sure about the 3.2c, not alot of people buy them, so they are going to be older steppings/revisions.

Its up to you, imho both are as much a risk as eachother -- the 3.0c has a better chance at OCing, but has 1 less multiplier. The 3.2 has less chance overclocking, but has 1 more multiplier.

So in that way they are the same, save yourself some money and get the 3.0c -- you'll have better ram bandwidth aswell

~t0m

What would be a good stepping for the 3.0C. All i've heard of is D1. I'm not sure the store i'll be going to will have all kinds, but if I knew what to ask for they may have it.

My bandwith for the 2.4C at 3.3Ghz (275FSB at 5:4 Ratio) was 6000 in sandra, would the 3 or 3.2 have about the same at 235-240FSB 1:1?

Well, just pick up a 3.0c with a pack date of march '04 or later, that should be pretty safe a good to go to your target.

Backlog this forum afew months for "SL6WU 3.75ghz Stock VOltage" or the like -- they'll have the #FTO etc for the really good ones.

The 12/30cap idea is a myth, ignore that.

You mean your ram bandwidth, or CPU arithmatic/multimedia score? If its ram bandwidth, the CPU wont really affect that, if its the arith/multi they yes, the 3.0c/3.2c will be better at that higher fsb.

~t0m

i'm leaning towards the 3.0C now after reading some stories of people only getting 3.6Ghz out of 3.2C's. I'd be willing to feed the 3.0C up to 1.7V (depending on temps) to get 3.75Ghz or a max possible 3.85Ghz (257FSB) running 1:1. Besides latest batch, is there anything else to look for? Also how can you tell if it is a 30cap or 12cap besides looking at it, is it on the box somewhere? Do the 3.0C's run alot hotter then 2.4C do? my 2.4 idled at 33 and load was only 44 tops. I'm thinking i'd like to keep the 3.0C under 55c load (three prime95's running at once)

Buy both, then sell the worse one on e-bay. I'm sure you won't lose THAT much of a value is you state that it's only been used for 5 minutes.

AudiMan said:

Buy both, then sell the worse one on e-bay. I'm sure you won't lose THAT much of a value is you state that it's only been used for 5 minutes.

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very good advice
but my vote goes for 3,0c

True, so looks like its gonna be 3.0C. I really don't want to buy/sell a few 3.0C's to try and find one that does 3.75 though, thats alot of dough.

Anyone here having good luck hitting 250FSB with 3.0C's whether air or water cooling?