Need advice on 3000+

[rocket_sauce]

Need advice on whether to get the AMD64 939 3000+ 90nm cpu or something better like 3500+. I am looking to overclock this cpu and I want the best overclocking for the money.

So far (no turning back now on these):
MSI Neo2 Platnum
1GB (2x512mb) Ballistic Tracers PC4000 DDR500

This is for a gaming rig. Sure FX would be nice, but I want to stick under $300 for a cpu. If I am to understand correctly I have read on these forums that the 3000+ was better for the money than the 3500+ if you are overclocking, but since my budget went up a little (thanks xmas bonus!) I was wondering if I could go for something better. Thanks in advance...

 

[CaPtAiN_InSaNo]

I think the 3000 would be perfectly fine, I myself just ordered a 3000 Socket 939 and Asus A8V coupled wiht the other stuff in my system listed below. I've heard nothing but good things about the Winchester cores. www.anandtech.com + CPU tab, then look for the article with the 3000. Their 3500 and 3000 Winchesters both topped out at 2.6 GHZ, not bad at all with small vcore increase. A $150 cpu matching a $700 on aircooling. I woudl think you could use the stock HS&F as they are getting pretty decent, but I would suggest jerry rigging a better fan on to the HS. I have not heard of a Winchest that can't OC at least 400 MHz, most are getting 600~800 range which would put you around 2.4~2.6 with the 3000, the 3500 will most likely not go any higher than the 3000, you can achieve the same fsb and external clock on both, only you need to lower the mulitiplier MORE on the 3500 beause it starts out higher. For the money a 3000 that is only 15% slower stock and costs 1/2 as much as the 3500 is the better deal, especially with the reported well oc of it. If you get the 3500 make sure you get the Winchester core, becase it is made in both NewCastle and Winchester where the 3000, 3200 is ONLY made in Winchester currently. You could use your extra 150 to get a water cooling kit or get a reall really nice Lian-Li case with the big 120mm fans or any number of things.

P4 2.6c@3 / 1GB OCZ DDR533 / Abit IC7-Max3 /
BFG Geforce 6800 GT @ 410/1100 /
Baracuda 7200.7 120 GB SATA / Lian-Li PC-65 Case
/ SyncMaster 700nf Monitor / 3DMark03-12100

 

[rocket_sauce]

Thanks, I will go with the 3000. I am going with the OEM version so I am putting the xp-120 on the cpu. I may have went overboard on the ram, but going with DDR500 I knew that wouldn't be my bottleneck. Later on I plan on watercooling and then I will see how far I can take this cpu. Thanks for the help Captain!

 

[CaPtAiN_InSaNo]

Well, you have not gone overboard on the ram at all, i'm running DDR533 myself, if my ram maxes out my CPU will be oced about 2.4ish, i would need DDR550 to get 2.6 without ocing the ram past its rated oc speed. But you can get a fine oc wiht that setup, i have heard nothing but good things abouts the Wincherster 3000's. Cheers and good luck.

P4 2.6c@3 / 1GB OCZ DDR533 / Abit IC7-Max3 /
BFG Geforce 6800 GT @ 410/1100 /
Baracuda 7200.7 120 GB SATA / Lian-Li PC-65 Case
/ SyncMaster 700nf Monitor / 3DMark03-12100