Any insights into Barton upgrade on 8K5A2?

[TrevorS]

Hi,

I have an EP-8K5A2 that's running great with an Athlon XP 1700+ with a 333MHz FSB and 1660 cpu clock (2000+ equivalent multiplier -> 10).

I built this system about two years ago and just started looking around at today's socket A CPU offerings. My price target is under $100, and I see the Athlon XP 2700+ (unlocked Thoroughbred) and XP 2600+ (locked??? Barton) with similar prices.

I'm attracted to the 512KB level 2 cache of the Barton, and also the lower cpu clock (I'm not into heavy duty cooling) but am trying to evaluate which is the better route to go. Anybody know if the currently selling 2600+ Barton really is locked? (I definitely can't increase my FSB beyond 333MHz.)

I see the 3000+ Barton has the same clock as the 2700+ Thoroughbred, so I presume the increase in performance (11%) is due to the doubled cache size. The 2600+ Barton cpu clock is 1917, an increase of 15%, for a total boost of about 28%. That would be a respectable boost, though I would like a little more flexibility.

I guess a related question would be where AMD's .09 micron process stands these days. I read somewhere they would be sliding it quietly into their current production, replacing the .13 micron technology. The attraction of that for me would simply be a cooler running chip.

[Just saw another possibility, Athlon XP Mobile 2400+ or 2500+ -- both Barton. However, they are rated at 266MHz FSB -- is this an issue for 333MHz? I gather these processors are unlocked ???}

Anybody have any experience with these processors? Any thoughts?

Thanks -- Trevor

[TrevorS]

OK,

I'm concluding the best bet is to go with a Mobile XP 2400+ and overclock it to 333MHz FSB and then go with whatever cpu clock is comfortable. Its lower voltage makes it cooler and it apparently comes unlocked.

Any criticisms or suggestions relative to that conclusion?

Thanks again -- Trevor

[Repo Man]

My 2500M ran great in my 8K3A+, so it ought to be a good choice for your 8K5A2.

Aree you sure you can't OC the FSB? My 8K3A+ ran great at 209. I had to upgrade the northbridge cooling. If you have a Radeon video card, then you'll be restricted to a little over 170. But don't be afraid to experiment if you have an Nvidia card.

[TrevorS]

Hi,

The reason I said 333MHz max is my memory is PC2700. When originally overclocking my 266MHz XP 1700+, I found that any distance at all above 166MHz introduced instability (even with modest voltage increases on cpu and memory). I may be able to solve that with faster memory, but 333MHz is sufficient for me. (Even now, though many days apart, my system sometimes reboots itself -- I run it 24/7.)

My video card is an old ATI Rage Fury Pro AGP, which I'm considering upgrading to a Sapphire 9600 NotPro 128bit 128MB. As you can see, my ambitions are modest -- I'm not a gamer.

Current CPU temp is 48C (SETI@Home). I expect I'll have to upgrade the HS/Fan for the Athlon Mobile XP.

I notice the 2400+ is a little cheaper than the 2500+ at NewEgg and they are limiting the lower speed purchase quantity to 2 per purchaser -- suggests popularity. Does it really make more sense to get the Mobile 2500+ ?

Thanks -- Trevor

[dabaerman]

go for the 2600M. it will clock nicely and the 2400M is a good second choice if
economics plays a role. I have the 2400M in my 8RDA+ 2 190fsb with PC2700.
I need memory to get it to 200+ fsb. running a locked Barton2500 on an 8K5A2+
at 180fsb and PC2100. again, memory is holding me back.
you shouldn't have any trouble getting to 180fsb with PC2700. let us know how
you make out. oh yea, check out our folding section. SETI is cool, F@H will rock
the world by finding a cure.

Ron

[TrevorS]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the input. Since I'm a cheap sort and only intend mild overclocking (333MHz and whatever multiplier preserves stability), I've opted for the XP-M 2500+.

I've learned my Northbridge needs cooling and so now I'm trying to figure out how to safely remove the low square factory HS on the Epox 8K5A2 in order to upgrade it.

Any experience with that?

Thanks -- Trevor