Initial TBred Overclocking

It’s still very very early in the process but I think we can make a few statements about the TBreds 2200+ on sale now.

1. The AIRGAs do a bit better than the original reviewers’ AIRCAs.
2. Using high-end air, one can probably expect a overclocked speed of 1.9-2.0GHz, maybe a bit more.
3. For raw CPU power, that 1.9-2.0GHz very roughly translates to a PIV Northwood running at 2.67-2.8GHz.
4. These processors are running significantly hotter than current XPs at the same speed; I’ve seen folks report a 10C difference between the two. That’s due to a little less power in a lot less space.

Nothing to lose control of bodily functions about, but quite competitive.

Of course, the 2200+ costs over $200, and many current socket A owners are waiting for the 2200+’s little brothers to show up. VR Zone says a TBred AIRGA 2000+ has been spotted in Japan.

In the U.S., no such beast has been sited, but current XP prices have plummeted. You can get an XP1800+ shipped for about $85, a 1600+ for about $10 less than that. The ones you can buy now seem capable of around 1.8GHz with high-end air and no voltage mod.

I suspect we may have to wait a while before we see anything like a TBred 1700/1800, and for people who can’t wait a month or more, the low-cost option may be a good idea.

We also don’t know how the lower-end TBred will fare. If recent AMD history is any guide, they’ll do a bit worse than the high-end ones, which means either the high-end will get better, or the low-end TBreds won’t do much better than current low-end XPs.

There’s a growing trend of people using lower-speed fans for their coolers. I don’t think this is the best idea in the world with these processors. You may well find that what you could get away with on an XP won’t work with a TBred.

I think there’s a case to be made for socket A owners, even for tinkerers, to low-ball this CPU purchase, get your 1.8 or so cheaply, and then sit tight for a while.

Ed