Core 2 Duo Overclocking - which CPU/Chipset combo?

[adsmith82]

In a couple of weeks I will be ordering parts to build a system for a friend. I want as much stable performance as possible for the dollar. I have been reading articles about overclocking Core 2 Duo processors. The multipliers for these CPU's are locked and default settings are:

$115 e4300 = 9 x 200
$139 e4400 = 10 x 200
$167 e6320 = 7 x 266
$189 e6420 = 8 x 266

The less expensive processors having higher multipliers means that the motherboard does not have to be capable of excessively high FSB settings in order to get a high clock speed from the CPU. Therefore, money can be saved on the motherboard.

The higher multiplier also means that the memory can run at a reasonable frequency and remain in sync with the CPU's FSB. Thus "overclocker's memory" is not necessary, and money can be saved here also.

Here are some articles that are related to the topic:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu...o-e4300_3.html
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu...-e6420_11.html
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2802&p=1
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2903&p=1
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/03/...ter/index.html

Basically, I am posting to ask if anyone has any expertise they could share concerning this topic. My research has been a bit confusing. Articles are not comprehensive (no articles comparing all chipsets or all processors) and changes in the market make somewhat writings unreliable. I wish there were some simple and comprehensive roundups out there that stayed updated.

So if anyone has expertise in this area and can lay out the essential information for the rest of us and give the ideal high-performance budget solution for Core 2 Duo overclocking (which I know exists), much thanks to you.

 

[The-Noid]

E4300 will be fine for 90% of people. They don't seem to overclock as well as E6420 which seems to even clock better than the E6600 at the current time.

 

[adsmith82]

Do you have any more information? What kinds of results can I expect from these CPU's? I would like to have 3.0GHz at least. Obviously anything more on up to 3.6GHz would be superb. If I can run an e4300 at 3.2GHz with a stock heatsink/fan and be perfectly stable, w00t or something... or 1337, ya know?

Anyway, I want to be safe with the CPU. This is a friend's computer I'm building, and he doesn't want to take much of a risk. I figure overclocking a Core 2 Duo 50% isn't much of a risk, but if we can go beyond 2.7GHz with an e4300 safely, w00t and 1337 for sure.

One question that comes to mind is concerning chipsets. Is overclockability almost completely dependent on the chipset or does it also have a lot to do with the specific motherboard? Can a motherboard be made a good overclocker by the manufacturer regardless of the chipset?

As far as chipsets themselves go, if I am correct, the P965 is best for overclocking, but can only support CrossFire, not SLI. I am not sure if we are going to require SLI support, but it would be a nice option. The 680i is close behind in overclocking ability (right?), but I am not sure about the 680i LT. Is the LT a good overclocker? I was planning on using the MSI P6N (650i SLI @ $120), but I gather that the 650i isn't so great for overclocking. However, since the e4300 has a high multiplier, doesn't that mean that a motherboard that generally isn't ideal for overclocking will work well? Maybe I'm wrong on that one. (Afterthought... Isn't Intel releasing a new chipset? P35 or something?)

Also, since the e4400 has a 10x multiplier, wouldn't it have an 11.1% (1/9) advantage in potential over an e4300? Or does it not work that way? Also if you want to say a few words about the e6320 and e6420, those are potential options as well. If for $75 more (e6420 over e4300) we can gain an additional 1GHz or so, we might very well do so. Thanks for answering my questions.

 

[Steaksauce]

Just go with a P965, SLI is overrated... might as well just have one good card. Double the price does not mean double the performance in SLI.

e6420 is the safest way to go here, most likely 3.2, maybe 3.4, and 3.6 is lucky. e6320 has too low of an multi and will need a good board + good RAM. e43 or e44 don't clock as high as them and 3.0 isn't even guaranteed. 2.7GHz is very doable.

 

[amodpandya]

i have my e4400 running @3.15Ghz (350x9), 1.35v
have to leave it for ORTHOS overnite but seems to be running stable

 

[adsmith82]

let me know what your orthos results are

 

[Konadreamer]

I'm running E4400 @ 8 X 400Mhz = 3.2 Ghz Vcore= 1.38 idle/ 1.36 full Orthos load. Core temp @ 48C Orthos. Northbridge = 1.55 V, Mushkin DDR2 800 (Micron D9) @ 2.15V and 4-4-4-10 2T. Orthos, Super Pi and Prime 95 all stable though not run overnight yet. Stable enough to play BF2 and C& C3 all settings high @ 1600 x 1200 res. I have seen reports of this cpu handling 1.5Vcore and 3.7 Ghz, but I am satisfied at 3.2Ghz.


PS for some reason, bios setting to reach 1.38 vcore has to be a little bit above....I think I am set at 1.43 Vcore under jumperless settings menu, but shows 1.38v under hadware monitor in bios---curious.
__

Antec 900 case
Thermalright UltraExtreme 120 w/ Scythe Fan
E4400 @ 3.2 Ghz (8 X 400) 1.38V (AI Suite)
2 X 1 gig Mushkin DDR2 800 (Micron D9) 4-4-4-10 2 T (2.15V)
Evga 8800GTS 640 mb
Thermaltake Toughpower 750W
Asus p5k Deluxe Wifi 0311 Bios
Samsung Spinpoint 500G HD SATA w NCQ
Samsung SATA DVD
AS Ceramique thermal paste

 

[jcgamo88]

In terms of RAM, you can go for good 667mhz, or cheap 800mhz. Either should do what you want. Personally I found some G.Skill at NewEgg on sale for 80.99 (2GB (2x1gb) DDR2-800) and it far exceeded my expectations. I have them running at 667mhz, at 4-3-3-11-1T timings @2.1v and synced to my C2D's fsb.

If you buy cheap 800mhz ram rated at lower then 5-5-5-15 then the manufacturer guarantees it to run at those timings at rated speed (If the chipset allows it). Lowering the RAM's speed generally allows for stability at lowered timings, and on top of that you can always do the usual added voltage trick for more stability.

 

[Flessan]

Not what you were considering, but I have the ABIT IP35 Pro with E6600 running at 3.4ghz at 1.40V. I had it at 3.6 with no troubles other than temp hitting 55C with Orthos. 3.4 is 51ish C, although I see 54 sometimes for a brief moment. I can't get above 420 FSB though, regardless of multiplier. I'm using Crucial Ballistix PC6400, and it won't run much above spec, although I haven't tried lowering default timings.

Still, I consider 1 gHz O/C to be quite a nice buy.