Latest opteron models and ocing

[LanFear]

thanks for the reports guys, this is all being geared towards a new rig. I'm going with the antec p-160, operteron 170, DFI NF4 Ultra-D, Antec NeoPower 550, WD 150GB Raptor. Memory and Vid are still undecided at this point. If I can hit 2.6 at stock vcore or close to it, then i'll be happy. An FX-60 for $600 less i can deal with. Any suggestions of some top end memory (2x1GB) Thanks again.

 

[obeseotron]

My take on your proposed system is that it looks good and nothing you have picked out is bad, in fact it's all very good, but I might chose differently if I were you. I'd probably take a 165 instead of a 170 and put $80 towards to video card. I'd have a hard time not going with a dual video card motherboard especially if you are getting an nvidia graphics card, with ATI you'd probably want to wait for RD580. That PSU is fine, but some will tell you that you can get better for the price or equal the quality with a less expesnive model. Raptors are VERY expensive relative to capacity, I'd RAID a pair of big Seagate 7200RPM drives instead (and keep backups of important files). P160 is a great case. Make sure you buy a good after market cooler for the a64. Depending on what you want to spend, under $500 - x1900 XT, under $300 - 7800GT, under $200 - 6800GS, $100 - 6600GT for video. For RAM Newegg has some 2GB OCZ PC4000 for $190 after rebate, spending a ton on RAM isn't really worth it.

 

[kravmaga]

My 0546 only does 2650 stable @1.47V (haven't primed it yet...but it's stable in games and heavy multitasking). I think heat is holding me back because at 1.5v+ @ 2700+ my entire case gets really hot. I was able to run prime95 overnight for 12 hours @ 2700mhz 1.52v but in the afternoon (with higher ambient temps) CS:S and DOD:S would freeze. I though maybe the CPU didn't have enough V but I took it up and it would just freeze quicker. I guess a Coolermaster Praetorian & XP-90C with medium panaflo are just not enough for this CPU. I'm kind of bummed I spent so much as well. The newer stepping 3800X2s are meant to get 2.6ghz easy.

 

[The Batt?sai]

Originally posted by: lopri
0546XPMW is one of the most consistent steppings I've seen so far with possible exception of 0530TPMW. However the latest dual-core Opterons clock so well, the once-legendary 0530TPMW doesn't look that great any more. Steppings like 0546MPMW, 0546XPMW, 0547TPMW, 0550UPMW, 0550VPMW and 0551VPMW all have potential to reach 2.8GHz and beyond.

i have a 0547tpmw 165 that was clocked to (prime stable) 2850 on water at 1.5 volts. it was done on a dfi board. what could i do with a dfi 580 perhaps (will be using water cooling)? i know mileage varys but hopefully i will be able to achieve those overclock levels. what kind of temps could i expect at 2.85 gigahertz and 1.5 volts lopri?? you seem to be an expert on overclocking these chips :-D

 

[The Batt?sai]

ps i haven't received it yet. dont even have a board for it yet :-D

 

[vgozz]

from what I hear - 50-55C max is what you should aim for.

 

[TheRyuu]

How would the 0543 stepping rate? Pretty good or not?

 

[PClark99]

My first 170 was an 0546 XPMW. That did 2500 easy at 1.45V.

My second is a 0551UPMW. This one does 2500 easy at 1.34V. I think it has more in it.

One night when I have the time I will find out where it's max is.

 

[PSUPef2k]

I am trying to decide on whether to go with an 4200+/4400+ X2 OR an opteron 165/ 170.

I have not really OC'd too much in the past, so I don't know if I will or not. Primarily I will want to be able to play games on this new rig. Not sure if I should wait and see how the new ATI chipset works out or just go with the Nvidia chipset on an ASUS A8n-SLI or A8N32-SLI either.

I am all sorts of confused. Here is my Current proposed build

 

[pissclams]

How do you find out the model # w/ steppings before purchasing?
Online stores like Newegg give that info out??

 

[The Batt?sai]

Originally posted by: pissclams
How do you find out the model # w/ steppings before purchasing?
Online stores like Newegg give that info out??

i bought my chip on anandtech forums. pretested for 2.85 gigahertz at 1.5 volts water cooled :-D lol

 

[lopri]

Originally posted by: quasarsky

i have a 0547tpmw 165 that was clocked to (prime stable) 2850 on water at 1.5 volts. it was done on a dfi board. what could i do with a dfi 580 perhaps (will be using water cooling)? i know mileage varys but hopefully i will be able to achieve those overclock levels. what kind of temps could i expect at 2.85 gigahertz and 1.5 volts lopri?? you seem to be an expert on overclocking these chips :-D

LOL in no way I'm an expert or anything.

I have a 0547TPMW which does 9x311 @1.424V (CPU-Z, probably 1.46V actual) and no matter what I do I can't seem to get it higher than 9x314. Indeed, it doesn't even boot 9x315. So yeah, it's weird indeed. This stepping seems somewhat hotter than others at same vcores. You already have a better result with the same stepping and I've never dealt with water cooling.. Sorry couldn't help ya..

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: Makaveli
lol matt2, you bought a chip that is rated to run at 2Ghz, u have it 600mhz overclocked. and cause u can't get another 100mhz your dissappointed and regret spending $400.

I just find that funny!

its like all those people hitting 2.9 Ghz on single core opterons and complaining they can't make it to 3Ghz.

HEY! I'm one of those people that can't get 3Ghz on a single core and I gripe about it all the time. You have to understand, 3Ghz is like THE number to hit, it's so clean and easy to say. And I just know the CPU I have would do it if I had a better motherboard, or went back to water cooling and upped the volts. It's not so much being upset at only getting a 45% overclock, it's being so close to the magic 3.0 that you can smell it.

 

[imported_ST]

Tried several OPtys and steppings recently:

165 0551 VPMW: Went to 2.6GHz without a hitch, but 2.7GHz required 1.57V and me relaxing my timings a lot on my TCCDs

165 0551 UPMW: 2.6GHz again without much issues. 2.7GHz required a little more voltage @ 1.48V but i could run at 270MHz TCCD all day long. Haven't tested 2.8GHz + yet, but i think there's a shot.

170 0551 VPMW: Shot straight to 2.7GHz with minimal fuss. But regardless of vcore and/or mem timings, it refused to go to 2.8GHz stable

 

[PSUPef2k]

is the performance boost gained by OCing that noticable and beneficial? I have not done it before and would be very paranoid about frying my mobo or processor in the process, to the point where I am considering scrapping the idea of OCing an opty and just getting a 4400+ X2.

Should I go on the side of caution, or go for it with an opty 170?

Also, I was planning on getting an Antec 550w TP 2.0...but have been told to avoid this PSU if OCing and get an OCZ powerstream...also advisable? I thought the TP2.0 was a very stable PSU.

 

[JknowWhat]

Isn't 65C actually the max tcase temp for that chip? You might want to be careful since there might be some permanent damage with it running that hot.

On another note, I have a CCBWE 0551UPMW 170 2.5GHz stable @ 1.328V. I havent tried higher due to my load temps have reached 51-52C in my shuttle while idle is only 28-29C. Do these chips normally run that much warmer? I used to have a A64 3200+ venice at the same speed but at 1.35V and IIRC it loaded around 46-48C.

Oh and does CnQ work for dual core opterons? Mine doesnt but I didn't reinstall the OS when I installed the new CPU...might have to get around to doing that...

 

[imported_ST]

Originally posted by: JknowWhat
Isn't 65C actually the max tcase temp for that chip? You might want to be careful since there might be some permanent damage with it running that hot.

On another note, I have a CCBWE 0551UPMW 170 2.5GHz stable @ 1.328V. I havent tried higher due to my load temps have reached 51-52C in my shuttle while idle is only 28-29C. Do these chips normally run that much warmer? I used to have a A64 3200+ venice at the same speed but at 1.35V and IIRC it loaded around 46-48C.

Oh and does CnQ work for dual core opterons? Mine doesnt but I didn't reinstall the OS when I installed the new CPU...might have to get around to doing that...

Correct, Opteron Dual Core Workstation CPU's are rated for TCase Max temps of 49C-65C ( http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content...e/white_papers_and_tech_docs/30417.pdf ) .

It looks like you need a much better HSF solution if you are getting a T Delta of 22C in your Shuttle. And CnQ CAN work, but it depends on the BIOS support from your mobo. It is flaky at best from most vendors at this moment, especially if you overclock. Your best bet is to utilize a utility such as CrystalCPUID to set the P States yourself.

 

[lopri]

Originally posted by: PSUPef2k
Also, I was planning on getting an Antec 550w TP 2.0...but have been told to avoid this PSU if OCing and get an OCZ powerstream...also advisable? I thought the TP2.0 was a very stable PSU.

Antec PSUs degraded in quality in past couple years. My feeling is that they've tried to sit on their previous success and haven't paid attention to the details and quality components. For example, I've been using TrueControl I (550W, 20-pin) with only 26A max rated on 12V rail, it's been rock-solid on all kinds of OC'ing even with a 7800 GTX 512. One day I got curious and actually checked the rails with a digital multimeter, and was surprised how strong the rails were. But I didn't hear many good things about the TrueControl II.

I highly recommend Seasonic S12-600. It's a bit pricy but I think it was the best investment I've made in years. It ran my previous rig (X2 4800+ @2.8GHz, GTX 512 SLI, 2 x Raptors, Audigy 2 ZS, 2 x 1GB sticks, etc.. usuall stuff) flawlessly, and more importantly, silently.

 

[Centoros]

The Optys seem to be much better OC'ers period. I was going to get a 170, in fact, I ordered one and the supplier was temporarily out of stock, so I told them to send me a 165. I'm glad I got it. Now it runs as well as an FX60. Very good chip.

 

[PSUPef2k]

Originally posted by: lopri

Originally posted by: PSUPef2k
Also, I was planning on getting an Antec 550w TP 2.0...but have been told to avoid this PSU if OCing and get an OCZ powerstream...also advisable? I thought the TP2.0 was a very stable PSU.

Antec PSUs degraded in quality in past couple years. My feeling is that they've tried to sit on their previous success and haven't paid attention to the details and quality components. For example, I've been using TrueControl I (550W, 20-pin) with only 26A max rated on 12V rail, it's been rock-solid on all kinds of OC'ing even with a 7800 GTX 512. One day I got curious and actually checked the rails with a digital multimeter, and was surprised how strong the rails were. But I didn't hear many good things about the TrueControl II.

I highly recommend Seasonic S12-600. It's a bit pricy but I think it was the best investment I've made in years. It ran my previous rig (X2 4800+ @2.8GHz, GTX 512 SLI, 2 x Raptors, Audigy 2 ZS, 2 x 1GB sticks, etc.. usuall stuff) flawlessly, and more importantly, silently.

I will definitely check out the Seasonic S12. Thanks for the advice. It is between that and the OCZ PowerStream.