939 overclocking. I need your guys advice.

[hondaman]

I want the best dual core 939 overclocking results money can buy, to be honest and upfront. So that leaves me with several questions:

Which 939 cpu, x2 or opteron, will give me the best chances of overclocking?

I'm gonna go back to water after a 5 year absence. I'm not really caught up on what the cool kids use today. I did notice several "all in one" water cooling cases, both from thermaltake and koolance. I dont mind spending the money on the luxury of ease, but I'd spend money on a DIY setup too if I knew which combo of parts to get.

I currently have a a8n32 sli, and a 4400 x2 that does 2.6 on air, but only one core is prime stable. Am willing to get another cpu if the gamble for a higher overclock is there.

So ...

What do you guys think? Would love your input.

 

[aelfwyne]

Opteron 170, hands down. Many people go for the 165, since it is cheaper, but the higher multiplier on a 170 is useful for those screaming overclocks. Might go for a bigger Opty also, if you are wanting to spend lots, but you're not going to see much over 3ghz either way. 165/170 EASILY hit 2.7 these days, and 3.0 isn't unheard of. Plus they have the 2x1mb cache, which on x2 is only on the 4400/4800, both of which are running out of stock everywhere.

My Opty 170, from NewEgg is prime stable at the moment at 2.8ghz on the STOCK COOLER (AMD heatpipe) in an open case, on an Asus A8V with crappy Patriot PC4000 DDR (with huge dividers).... If you go with high end water cooling, you are looking at 3ghz territory.

 

[corsa]

Quote: ...and a 4400 x2 that does 2.6 on air, but only one core is prime stable.

u may find removing the IHS would solve that problem.

 

[Noubourne]

Opty.

Just sold my X2 3800 and replaced it with an Opty. Couldn't be happier.

 

[CKXP]

Opty FTW...just got my 165 a couple of days ago...not the best steppings CCBWE 0604TPMW...but it's stable @2.7ghz with 1.5v...best $139 i spent in a while.

 

[myocardia]

165's or 170's? He said "that money can buy". Here's what you want: Opteron 185 or even the FX-60, if money is really no object, and you don't mind paying twice the money, just to get an unlocked multiplier.

 

[hondaman]

If a 185 would result in the highest clock possible, I'll get one.

But it sure seems opterons are the way to go for sure.

Anyone have any input on watercooling stuff?

I really appreciate your replies so far!

 

[Boyo]

It's ironic because I can only get my 4400+ to be stable at 2.6Ghz too. I geuss that is it's ceiling.....

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I love my Koolance setup. I have it set to shut down at 50C. I'm OC'd to just over 3 Ghz and it hasn't powered down yet.

 

[Lithan]

You really cant go wrong with 939 anymore... base your purchase on four things...

1. Do you want dual core?
2. How much cache do you want?
3 and 4. What HTT can your board/ram do, with or without a ram divider, max?


Lets say you want single core 512k or better cache and your board can do 300HTT with ram @ 333 divider...

3200+ is as cheap as 3000+ now and gets you the 10x multi... that means your best possible o/c is 3ghz. Now if your board can only do 250HTT... might wanna go with a 3400+ or even a 4000+

 

[hondaman]

Well I pulled the trigger thanks to your guys input.

Bought me a opteron 170 and the thermaltake Tai Chi watercooling case. Put a rush next day delivery on it from Newegg. Cant wait to see how car I can push it!