Worthwhile upgrade?

[Logan8252]

My current mobo/cpu is an ABIT IC7 (latest BIOS) and P4 2.4C@3.2GHz. Frys has one of their CPU combos going right now: 3.2E and board for ~$205 (after tax). I'd sell the board and the 2.4C to recoup some of the cash. Heatsink is an Alpha PAL8045 w/ 80mm 32cfm/27dba fan. Not really interested in upgrading the heatsink at this time (don't want to spend much money), but I'll probably go to watercooling in the not too distant future. Anyways, for the money is it worth the processor upgrade? What kind of OC can I expect with this cooling? TIA.

 

[globalcitizen]

The OC amount will vary but it is around the same as the Northwood. However you will need to get a good heatsink to do it. Also you will need to note that at the same mhz speed, a northwood is faster at processing.

 

[Duvie]

From what I have seen and heard here and elsewhere the prescotts don't oc as well becuase the heat is about 5-7c higher at same clock speed. Plus if we have not forgotten the 30 stage of the prescott pipeline actually hurts performance versus same speed northwood. SSE3 optimizations don't really exist in most apps yet so if you don't get to like 3.4-3.5ghz I think you will not be getting same performance. Imagine how insanely high the temps look on an Abit Ic7 already and throw in a prescott... Not thanks for me.....

My alpha never cut it with my 2.4@3.5 so I had to get a swiftech with a 90mm fan and it was like a 10c swing versus the alpha. Definitely would need better cooling all around...

NOT WORTH THE UPGRADE!!!