Couple of questions...

[Simulat]

I am in the process of building a new computer for the first time in a couple of years. During that time, I have been pretty out of touch with any hardware issues. I just ordered an Epox 8RDA+ mobo and am now looking for a CPU. Initially I was planning on just ordering a XP 2400. But after skimming through the forums here (which I havent read for years), it looks like overclocking something like a XP 1900 with an AGOGA stepping might be much more economical. Then I came across another thread with mentioned better steppings (agoia?). Given that I want a CPU that will run around 2 Ghz, what is the best option? I noticed Newegg has XP 1900's with the AGOGA stepping for about 90 bucks. Is that the way to go or is there somewhere else that will guarantee one of the superior steppings?

My last CPU was a 1ghz axia overclocked to 1.4. I unlocked it using a pencil. Would the process be identical if I overclocked the XP 1900? If it is different, could someone direct me to a guide? Finally, what type of cooling solution would this require? My current fan is driving me nuts with its volume. Is there an affordable heatsink/fan combo that would allow me to overclock the cpu to ~ 2 Ghz or would I require something more expensive and extravagant?

Help appreciated, thanks.

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

Originally posted by: Simulat
I am in the process of building a new computer for the first time in a couple of years. During that time, I have been pretty out of touch with any hardware issues. I just ordered an Epox 8RDA+ mobo and am now looking for a CPU. Initially I was planning on just ordering a XP 2400. But after skimming through the forums here (which I havent read for years), it looks like overclocking something like a XP 1900 with an AGOGA stepping might be much more economical. Then I came across another thread with mentioned better steppings (agoia?). Given that I want a CPU that will run around 2 Ghz, what is the best option? I noticed Newegg has XP 1900's with the AGOGA stepping for about 90 bucks. Is that the way to go or is there somewhere else that will guarantee one of the superior steppings?

My last CPU was a 1ghz axia overclocked to 1.4. I unlocked it using a pencil. Would the process be identical if I overclocked the XP 1900? If it is different, could someone direct me to a guide? Finally, what type of cooling solution would this require? My current fan is driving me nuts with its volume. Is there an affordable heatsink/fan combo that would allow me to overclock the cpu to ~ 2 Ghz or would I require something more expensive and extravagant?

Help appreciated, thanks.

your thread title is misleading....

anyways:
pre xp2400+ tbreds are tbred a versions, which dont overclock too well (it seems like xp2200+ speeds are their limit)
i would go with xp2400+, as they overclock quite well (usually 2.1ghz+)

another option would be tbred 1700+ or 1800+, they will also get around 2ghz most of the time

if you get 1700+ or 1800+ tbred, the mults are already unlocked and you have access to all the lower mults
if you get 2400+, and board is not kt400 chipset, then you onlyhave to connect the last L3 bridge to enable the use of all lower mults (its already unlocked) **pencil/graphite will not work as i hear**

xp1900+ (palominos) have the L1 bridges cut, and not only cut, they have valleys leading to a "ground".
you must fill teh valleys with something electrically nonconductive, then paint over with something conductive

what is your current heatsink/fan setup?
i would recommend swiftech mcx462 or alpha pal8045 with any cfmba ratio you choose for a 80mm fan
for overclocking sake, i would get over 40cfm

 

[Simulat]

Since no work needs to be done to unlock them and since they overlclock pretty well (if I understood everything correctly), I will probably just go with a Tbred 1800 then. Newegg has them for 68 shipped. Should expect to get to at least 1.9 then with little problem?

Right now I have a Swiftech (mc462 I think? Dont remember, its been a while) hs with an obnoxiously loud fan. I was thinking about picking up a Thermaltake Volcano 9.

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

ya 1.9 should be relatively easy

i would stick with teh swiftech (im guessing you have 68cfm delta on there as ive seem some packages including the delta ?)

i would personally stay away from volcano series, swiftech probably is better anyways
if you wnt you could get a new adjustable fan