Is the 2500 Barton still the AMD "best buy" for overclocking?

[MichaelD]

I just found out that my 2500 Barton retail package that I have in storage will have to stay in storage....long story. IOW, I can't get to it. :|

So, I need to buy another CPU. I have every intent of overclocking the snot out of it. I've got all the necessary components (mobo/memory/HSF/PS) Any particular stepping to try for? It's been about 6 months since I've bought a CPU.

What's the AMD "best buy" for overclocking these days? I take it Newegg is still the place to buy?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Yes, 2500+ is still the sweet spot brudda $88 retail version

 

[zephyrprime]

I can't get to it

What happened? Did it get frozen into a glacier or something like a woolly mammoth.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: zephyrprime

I can't get to it

What happened? Did it get frozen into a glacier or something like a woolly mammoth.

Heh. It's a long story. I'm relocating in Apr 04. My company is paying for it. I put some stuff in storage on the company's tab. The next time I'll see it is when the move is complete...but I will be constructing a new rig before then.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Yes, 2500+ is still the sweet spot brudda $88 retail version

Thanks much, BRUDDA. :beer: I appreciate the info.

 

[MichaelD]

Hey, as far as "good" steppings go, do you think I'm better off w/a OEM vs. a retail version? Afterall, the OEMs sell much faster due to enthusiasts like us.

 

[MichaelD]

Damn. D/P

 

[VisableAssassin]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Hey, as far as "good" steppings go, do you think I'm better off w/a OEM vs. a retail version? Afterall, the OEMs sell much faster due to enthusiasts like us.

OEM trays move faster than retail boxes normally so OEM you should have a better change of scoring a good stepping. however that isnt true 100% of the time ive seen people get sweet steppings and results from retail boxes as well.
basicly itll be up to you in the end, myself i always get OEM cuz i dont need the heatsink ,box etc since im water cooling and the warranty is void if youd ont use the stock cooler anyways so no need to pay an extra 9 bucks on stuf fill throw away

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Well the difference between the newegg OEM and ZZF retail is only 4$ and you get a cooler you can sell or use with another CPU BTW, My retail week 13 has been doing 2.31ghz on default voltage for months and handles 2.43ghz on 1.825v actual perfectly well when asked to. Besides, chances are you'll probably get with in a few weeks either way regardless of wether you go retail or OEM, and judging by the hit and miss results users get with every week and stepping I should think the odds are about the same of getting a winner.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Well the difference between the newegg OEM and ZZF retail is only 4$ and you get a cooler you can sell or use with another CPU BTW, My retail week 13 has been doing 2.31ghz on default voltage for months and handles 2.43ghz on 1.825v actual perfectly well when asked to. Besides, chances are you'll probably get with in a few weeks either way regardless of wether you go retail or OEM, and judging by the hit and miss results users get with every week and stepping I should think the odds are about the same of getting a winner.

The Barton I've got in storage is the retail package, week 13. A "good one" IIRC.

Figures.

I definitely dont' need the retail HSF. I've got an SLK800 and an AX7 I could use. I will probably go for the OEM as that's where my gut feeling is.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Here's hopin' you get one of those rare 2.5ghz on air beauties like Wesely Fink AKA Prometheus did :beer:

 

[0roo0roo]

depends how much you want to spend. ecs +1800 combo at frys is like 59-69 with retail cpu. they seem to be selling nothing but the good stepping recently, so oc is possible with socket mod, but rather annoying to do. but its very very cheap

the good bit about retail cpu's besides the warrantee and fan, is that you can see the stepping info through the packaging, no opening required. if you buy from b&m, this lets you garrantee you don't get stuck with a bad stepping with easy returns

 

[MDE]

Actually, there's a crease in the plastic 'tray' that the CPU is in that blocks the full stepping (on mine at least).

 

[ubermu]

I think I'm going to go to fry's today and check out the 1800+'s. What's this combo you're talking about?

 

[0roo0roo]

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187887&highlight=1800

but i used ecs board with socket pin mod.