curious about P4c & overclockability

[Wiz]

Since it's the current king of seti crunching I am wondering about what it takes to build a good cracker using the P4c cpu so I can run hyperthreaded 2 processes.

Interests are: (keeping only the P4c cpu's in mind)

What mobo / cpu / ram combo gives best bang for the buck?
What mobo / cpu / ram combo provides the greatest overclockability?

I'm spoiled by the AMD cpu's that I have which although rated at 1.4Ghz are crunching at 2ghz & 2.2ghz now, that's some nice overclockability & I don't expect that kind of thing from Intel since the days of the celeron 300 @ 450 & the P3 700 @ 1ghz days.
What about now?

 

[JimMc]

I have a 2.4C on an IS7 that is at 3.2 ghz. I've used Cruial PC3200 and then Mushkin Black Level II (think it's rated at PC3500, Cas 2225). I never saw any Seti performance difference based on the faster RAM, not sure why. Perhaps because I was running it at 5:4 due to the high FSB. The Crucial is definately a better buy.

A 2.6C is probably a little safer, higher mulitplier so you won't need the same FSB for a given Mhz, again I haven't done enogh study to tell you how much the high FSB vs. async RAM factors in. They also cost more. My guess is there is probably not a huge difference, a HT P4 at 3.2-3.4 Ghz is a stout Seti machine.

Basically, a 50% overclock is not terribly likely, but you can get close. I get about 16-17 WU's out of the 2.4C, I get about 11-12 out of a 2500 Barton at 3200.

 

[kamper]

I think the new sis655tx chipsets would give you the best of both worlds ($/oc'ability) but most boards based on 865/875 should do you well. The lower p4c's oc the best (2.4,2.6) and there is tell in the mobo/cpu forums of 1ghz+ overclocks (which might not be safe on air). That'd be best for price but you'll be more likely to get a higher rated cpu to a higher speed (duh!!). I won't comment on ram as there are too many combinations of latency vs. bus speed vs. dividers...

 

[Wiz]

Thanks, that helps!

" I get about 11-12 out of a 2500 Barton at 3200"

Yeah, I get 11-12 out of my 1700+ running at 2.2ghz (what is that, 3100+ in AMD numbers?)
I love that Twinmos ram!

 

[MoFunk]

Yep Wiz, that old stock of 1700+ AMD's are great!!! Mine is running at 2152Mhz with a 215Mhz FSB! Does a 2:15 average WU! Gotta love that from a chip that cost me $40 shipped. I can get more from it but then heat plays a bigger roll so I am happy here. I also have Twinmos ram! Again, great value!