A 4.1 GHz Dual Core at $130 - Can it be True?

[PlasticLSD]

Some of the people talking about wattage might be misreading the graphs... those wattage figures are for the whole test system. It includes a 7800GTX, 2 HDs, and a DVD drive. It clearly states the test setup used a 480W power supply.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/05/10/dual_41_ghz_cores/page14.html

Its kinda funny seeing the 400W at load figure being repeated on a few forums I frequent. Granted the wattage section is confusing, but the idea that CPU alone is going to use 400W is kinda funny.

The difference between stock and 3.8GHz under load is 137W; 47W while idle. Don't forget as the FSB goes up other components may draw more power accounting for some of that increase. At 4.1GHz it does start to get bad but nothing worse than what happens when you push any chip that far.

 

[Plekto]

Yeah I guess you could cut a hole in your case to MAKE a proper intake "path" - lol - but that's probably something you or I would do, well, just because it works and it's darn fun to Dremel-ize a case.

I find that the slot cooler card draws off the lower case temperatures. That leave the top. My setup is: Remove all internal 3.5 drive bays. Only the two front ones are there.

From the top:
DVD
(blank space with 3.5 floppy adaptor plate)
HD #2(runs warmer - about 90 degrees)
(blank 3.5 bay, no cover)
primary HD. (about 80 degrees)

I can put my hand in the 3.5 "vent" and feel the air being cooled down 10 degrees or so as it rushes by my finders. There's plenty of proper-path airflow, and removing two covers is something anyone can do to quickly improve the situation.

My case is pretty airtight - a nice Antec case, so controlling airflow is a snap. MOst cheap cases, though, that I have seen, have the problem you described - it's only good if the airflow is controlled so what goes in gets a good speed boost and cools down significantly before it hits the CPU. This is in fact, critical in the summer - unless you have centeral A/C always set at 70 degrees, that is. Hot air in=furnace out.

45/36(113/96) Currently, under load. Keeping the MB inder 100 degrees is the trick, IME, to long life. One it tops 120 degrees or so, I don't care if it's a modern computer or a 20 year old TRS-80, the chips' lifespan drops from nearly infinite to a couple of years. CPU needs to be under 150 degrees, preferably under 120(where it essentially gains a decade-long lifespan) if you can manage it.

But I do want to try a huge passive heatsink and a dual 120mm fan setup soon. It's stil quite noisy - enough so that I have trouble sleeping in the same room(though before it was BEING in the same room - the video card would constantly switch into "holy crud I'm hot" Hoover(tm) mode and nearly wake the dead. Never does that anymore.

Though yeah - if you want to grind holes and such... lol - not complaining.
(evil grin)

 

[Skidd]

Wow, great article. Really eye-opening as I thought overclocking could get you a small bumb in speed, but nothing like this. The over 4Ghz stuff isn't really that impressive, but overclocking a 2.66 to a 3.8 and have it perfectly fine and stable with only using a few tweaks, that's awesome.

Hey Skidd, mind if I copy your system and make one for myself?

I was thinking of getting:
$130- Pentium D 805
$66- Gigabyte GA-8N-SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128302R
$140- OCZ Gold 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227029
$60- ZALMAN CNPS9500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118223
$50ish - cheap case + 450W PSU
$150-200 Video card. Haven't decided which one.

Now this is about $700 after tax and S&H are all considered(which is bordering the price of a X2 3800 system that's already built for me) I have some noob questions though:

1) I'm not sure if the mobo I have listed is right, are you guys talking about the super expensive $200+ mobos? I don't really want crazy 4.1Ghz rates, 3.6 or 3.8 is great imo.
2) Can I use my old WinXP Home(came with my compaq I'm using right now) and old HDs/DVD burners(ok they aren't that old, like 1-2 years) in my new system? Buying WinXP Home is another $100.
3) Any other ways to save some cash in my set-up? I work at a computer retailer so I might be able to get some cheaper RAM and Video card, but are there any other cheaper parts that are pretty much the same?

That motherbard granted does not have 8 phase power like the royal but no mistaking its identical in every way except for a few features cut out for cost savings.

My system hit 4ghz last night, granted at 1.6v which would i have no doubt lead to chip death but it did hit the 4ghz target non the less. with temps hovering 40 on idle and as much as 60 on load. High voltage to blame for this. Turn it back down to 3.8 at 1.45v and everything calms down again with idle at 35 and load at 45-50.

Im happy with the setup and having running benchies last night with the setup at 3.8

 

[edhalsim]

No disrespect intended, but how can you say it's "identical in every way" with the Royal when the motherboard uses a different chipset (nForce4 vs. Intel 955)? I would be nervous trying to use a chipset that wasn't checked-out by Toms for this purpose.

 

[weskurtz81]

Yeah.... of course it is the test system.... the entire system.... and that is actually how much it is drawing from the wall, not the amount the system is using if you figure in the 70-80% efficiency. But keep in mind, they are not stressing the video card..... at all.... so it is idling. The only thing they are really stressing is the CPU. So in all reality. That CPU is drawing close to or it is drawing 200W. That is alot in my opinion, but it is cool to have a 4.1 Ghz 100+dollar cpu.

Edit..... nm.... probably are including a 3d stress.... but they don't really specify whether it is a full cpu load or a full system load. IE all componets under load. But regardless, a 7800GTX draws less than 100W, around 80-90W. and 2 hdd, mobo, optical drive..... don't add up to much. 478W total system draw....75% of that is about 358.... lets just say 150W for other compnets..... that leaves us with 208W..... now.... I know this is a rough average..... but damn..... you can't really add to much more to the other componets..... 2 HDDs.... one optical.... video card.... and the mobo....

edit. Also.... the FX-60 TDP is around 100W..... and is probably a little lower than that.... AMD tends to overshoot TDP.... that being said.... my system power consumption with my opteron OC'ed to 2.6-2.7 is with two OC'ed GTX's is lower than that system. My max power draw from the wall is 330W..... no where near 480W...... just a thought.....

 

[Skidd]

No disrespect intended, but how can you say it's "identical in every way" with the Royal when the motherboard uses a different chipset (nForce4 vs. Intel 955)? I would be nervous trying to use a chipset that wasn't checked-out by Toms for this purpose.

Hmmm Last time i checked the gigabyte site the GA-8N-SLI Royal and the GA-8N-SLI uses the Nforce 4 Intel Edition Chipset.

The two boards are identical (Use the exact same PCB layout) except the GA-8N-SLI does not have the 8 phase power, second gigabit network, 2 extra sataII ports and dual bios.

 

[bltTomato]

Dont know about everyone else but I got 3.8Ghz on a cheesy ECS mobo that cost 68$ so how premium it is I dont know lol I think with some good cooling more would be possible but 3.8Ghz is plenty enough for me im stopping there

I'm really interested in what mobo and other components you are using to do that? I was looking at this ECS mobo for my 805.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135225 .. I plan to overclock to at least 3.6 with 2gb of ram. Im really up in the air as to which type of ram and mobo to use for this task though.

 

[RaPTuRe]

I believe edhalsim was confusing the GS-8I955X Royal with the GA-8N-SLI Royal- Not surprising when Gigabyte have names like "GA-8I935GMBX" and "GA-8I865GVMK-775" floating around. Its pretty easy to get confused. Also there have been a lot of successes with the 8N-SLI motherboards.

 

[zoglog]

I need some advice, I'm very interested in this processor since I just got a new Antec p180 case and I need something to put in it so I can give my old system to my GF and upgrade to PCI express. I havent OCed any CPU since my old Celeron 400Mhz though =). I was wondering IF I ordered this processor from newegg if I would get the "SL8ZH" model Also I was looking for recommendations for a motherboard (Don't really need SLI and just need a decent amount of slots and at least 4 SATA and 2 IDE ports) and 2GB memory. The ones that Tom suggests seem to range around 200 bucks so I'd rather avoid those. I only want to take the OC to 3.8GHz and use Air cooling.

 

[JonathanDeane]

Im using this one right now and getting 3.6Ghz with the stock cooler I can get 3.8Ghz with the stock cooler but temps get too hot for my tastes.
Its an ECS but its working realy well for now. I did notice Newegg raised the price 10$ since I bought it... but its still pretty cheap 88$ and 78$ after the rebate.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135225

Its getting some decent reviews on reputable web sites so maybe ECS is trying to dump its crappy reputation lol

Edit:The rebate is one of those instant ones so nothing to send in.

 

[zoglog]

Im using this one right now and getting 3.6Ghz with the stock cooler I can get 3.8Ghz with the stock cooler but temps get too hot for my tastes.
Its an ECS but its working realy well for now. I did notice Newegg raised the price 10$ since I bought it... but its still pretty cheap 88$ and 78$ after the rebate.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135225

Its getting some decent reviews on reputable web sites so maybe ECS is trying to dump its crappy reputation lol

Edit:The rebate is one of those instant ones so nothing to send in.

Hmm that is tempting, I know exactly what you mean about ECS and the quality so i'm kind of hesitant to jump on that one. Thanks for the suggestion though I will look into it. I'm still not sure which memory to get and how I could confirm through buying online that i'll get the correct one =/ (It's actually cheaper for me to go through Zip Zoom fly http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80849)

 

[bltTomato]

Im using this one right now and getting 3.6Ghz with the stock cooler I can get 3.8Ghz with the stock cooler but temps get too hot for my tastes.
Its an ECS but its working realy well for now. I did notice Newegg raised the price 10$ since I bought it... but its still pretty cheap 88$ and 78$ after the rebate.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135225

Its getting some decent reviews on reputable web sites so maybe ECS is trying to dump its crappy reputation lol

Edit:The rebate is one of those instant ones so nothing to send in.

Nice.. I was wondering if that was the board. The only other thing I need advice on is which ram to use. I want to go with 2gb (2 x 1gb) DDR2 667. Will the timings effect my ability to push the 805 to 3.6?

 

[bltTomato]

Im using this one right now and getting 3.6Ghz with the stock cooler I can get 3.8Ghz with the stock cooler but temps get too hot for my tastes.
Its an ECS but its working realy well for now. I did notice Newegg raised the price 10$ since I bought it... but its still pretty cheap 88$ and 78$ after the rebate.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135225

Its getting some decent reviews on reputable web sites so maybe ECS is trying to dump its crappy reputation lol

Edit:The rebate is one of those instant ones so nothing to send in.

Nice.. I was wondering if that was the board. The only other thing I need advice on is which ram to use. I want to go with 2gb (2 x 1gb) DDR2 667. Will the timings effect my ability to push the 805 to 3.6?

 

[JonathanDeane]

Nice.. I was wondering if that was the board. The only other thing I need advice on is which ram to use. I want to go with 2gb (2 x 1gb) DDR2 667. Will the timings effect my ability to push the 805 to 3.6?

Right now I have some cheesy cheesy DDR2 (it was nearly free from a friend) its DDR2 533 but at least its dual channel and on that bourd you can set the timings differently between ram and CPU so if you want you can leave your ram stock or you can OC it a bit and it supports DDR2 667 (although it doesnt support 800)

 

[edhalsim]

I believe edhalsim was confusing the GS-8I955X Royal with the GA-8N-SLI Royal- Not surprising when Gigabyte have names like "GA-8I935GMBX" and "GA-8I865GVMK-775" floating around. Its pretty easy to get confused. Also there have been a lot of successes with the 8N-SLI motherboards.

You're correct, I was. 😳 Anyway, any thoughts as to wheter there would be a big difference going with the nForce4 chipset vs. the Intel 955x, other than cost? I don't need SLI. Thanks.

 

[eoan]

Hello,

New here, I'm new to OC'ing too - well, haven't done anything like it for about 10 years, so refresher required.

I am building a new system and after seeing the article about the 805D, on my budget, it looks a winner so I have purchased the chip, just need the other parts to go with it.

I was about to purchase an ASUS P5DW2 Premium but have just been offered a 2nd hand board for £25 - it's the following: Gigabyte GA-8IPE775-G

On this board, the 805D is supported from BIOS revision 7, however I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what the maximum CPU speed I could expect to get with this board. Would it be better to pay up for a new ASUS board. Not sure of the calculations to estimate the CPU speed.

Also, this board supports DDR and not DDR2, is there a marked improvement in the memory modules that makes having the newer boards worth it. I guess a similar question goes for no PCI-E support.

As I have to buy RAM and a Graphics Card anyway, will that sway the decision?

Any help appreciate, go easy, I'm new to this game.

Cheers,

Eoan

 

[icbluscrn]

well If you are have to buy a new video card there is no point in getting agp 8x so an this fact alone i would say go with any other motherboard.

 

[gre]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2201759&CatId=2008 u guys think that might be a good board for oc ing...cant beat the price...

 

[zoglog]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2201759&CatId=2008 u guys think that might be a good board for oc ing...cant beat the price...

are you sure you will get the "SL72H" Model of the CPU?

 

[gre]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2201759&CatId=2008 u guys think that might be a good board for oc ing...cant beat the price...

are you sure you will get the "SL72H" Model of the CPU?...what do u mean by that?

 

[zoglog]

in order to get similar OC results I thought it had to be that particular model of the 805 D processor.

 

[gre]

i will stick even with 3.4 ....dual core for a 125 bucks....lol

 

[gre]

i will stick even with 3.4 ....dual core for a 125 bucks....lol...by the way......somebody should run 3Dmark05 on it.....

 

[jay_brubin]

can someone find me a mATX motherboard that can do the 20x multiplier for the 805 implementaion for the front -side bus...and will be future proof for conroe 1066 fsb native...down the road?

 

[zoglog]

I hope, either way if the Abit MB works I wouldnt buy the bundle, you don't seem to save any money, the MB alone on tiger's site is $49