Pentium Question

[BuddMan]

I'm buying a new P4 2.4GHz. I was going to see how it overclocks and based on results, either sell my 2.8 and keep the 2.4, or sell the 2.4 if the 2.8 overclocks better. My question is: Would a 2.4C (800 MHz FSB) overclock better than a 2.4B (533 MHz FSB) on a 533MHz FSB capable board (mine in this case is the GA-8INXP, Granite Bay board). Well, that and I am wondering if a 800MHz FSB processor will run at all in a 533MHz mobo. Price is not an issue here since I won't be losing any money, esp if I sell my 2.8 and replace it with a 2.4. Any info would be appreciated.

[ALBPM]

Check out the CPU database at Overclockers.

http://www.overclockers.com/

Most 2.4b's (533MHz) will do about 3.0GHz. The 2.4c's, D-1 stepping(800MHz) will do around 3.2 to 3.4 GHz.

My vote would be for the 800MHz bus CPUs and a Dual Channel mobo , you'll get much higher memory bandwidth from the dual channel DDR.

[BuddMan]

Well how do you think it would work on a 533MHz FSB mobo though (it is dual channel, but the FSB capability is what I am wondering about). That's my main question. It'd be no question if it was on a 800MHz mobo, but I'm not upgrading the mobo anytime, not until at least 6 months later.

EDIT: To make it clear, I'm talking about running a 800MHz FSB CUP on a 533MHz FSB motherboard.

[BuddMan]

Ok, nm, I'm looking at this the wrong way. I was thinking that putting the 2.4c in a 533 FSB mobo would make the proc run at 2.4 @ 533FSB at stock speeds. But I'd have to overclock just to reach the stock speed, so I guess it wouldn't be beneficial after all. Oh well, 2.4B it is. Thanks for the info guys.

[mmp121]

Buddman,

Based on my limited knowledge of how the P4 2.4C and 2.8 work, here is what I think will happen.

2.4Ghz/800Mhz fsb = 3 (clock multiplier)
2.8Ghz/533Mhz fsb = 4.5 (clock multiplier)

Now, all Intel P4 CPU's are unless I'm mistaken, clock multiplier locked. So the only way to overclock them is to increase your FSB.

Hence your 2.4C CPU would only run at a speed of 1.6Ghz at the default 533Mhz FSB of your Granite Bay board. Now, I do not know what your chances are of actually getting that board's FSB to go to 200Mhz, let alone 225 or 235Mhz (I am using those numbers because Intel quad pumps the base FSB).

So your 533Mhz fsb is really a 133Mhz fsb. And your 800Mhz fsb is really a 200Mhz fsb.

I hope I'm not confusing you throwing all these numbers at you. In short, it would behove you to get a new MB along with the 2.4C CPU. That way you can get the most out of overclocking your 2.4Ghz CPU and take advantage its 800Mhz FSB (200Mhz X 4)

[BuddMan]

Yeah I finally figured it out, heh. I can't afford a new mobo right now though, so I'm gonna wait on the 800MHz FSB. Oh well, wishful thinking, but now I can have some fun with this 2.4 when I get it and see how far she will go.