Ideal core2duo/Xeon for under-volt '&' occasional OC?

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NT
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:01 am

Ideal core2duo/Xeon for under-volt '&' occasional OC?

Post by NT » Sat Dec 19, 2009 2:00 am

I'm trying to pick the best value wolfdale-based (read: Core2, 45nm, dual-core w/6MB or 3MB L2) C2D or Xeon CPU.

One that OC's nicely & allows me to get the FSB/CS up to the top-end CPU's when needed.
But also one that under-volts reliably on stock settings or even slightly above stock! (I have heard of this)

Are there certain models/batches that are better suited for this or is it purely 'hit & miss"?
Has anyone had good experiences doing what I'm wanting, if so what did you go for and on what motherboard?

For motherboards I'm considering GA-EG45M-UD2H or P5Q-EM.
I'm leaning more towards the former....

What memory do you recommend I go with?
DDR2-1066 isn't overkill if I do intend to OC markedly on occasion right?

All this is is for a MythTV/Media front-end, hence the reason why I want to be uc/undervolted or both most times.

Thanks all!
P.S.
I'm well aware of the load that VDPAU takes away....
And I understand that when idle EIST/C1E will ensure power draw is minimised 90% of the time.
But I still want to experiment ;)
Last edited by NT on Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:22 am, edited 4 times in total.

graysky
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Location: My desk

Post by graysky » Sat Dec 19, 2009 3:07 am

The GA-EG45M-UD2H is a great board. I have one myself. I have an e5200 (stock 12.5x200) on it which is undervolted (minimized) and is stable (Linpack and prime95):

Code: Select all

CPU Vcore = 0.97500 V
CPU Termination = 1.10000 V
CPU Reference = 0.753 V
MCH Core = 1.100 V
DRAM Voltage = 1.800 V
If I can find my kill-a-watt, I'll post system idle/load power consumption.

NT
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:01 am

Post by NT » Sat Dec 19, 2009 4:40 am

Thanks, is this a core2duo you're referring to?
Are there any core2duo's that under-volt nicely w/these sort of boards?

graysky
Posts: 147
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Location: My desk

Post by graysky » Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:46 am

An e5200 = c2d. Each chip is different for overclocking and undervolting. You have to be lucky and get a good one. Mine does the voltage stable that I posted. Others may or may not.

NT
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:01 am

Post by NT » Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:51 am

Yeah I'm starting realise that the Pentium nomenclature is just marketing and that it's still core2-based, it just doesn't have as large a cache as the c2d E7's & E8's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfdale_% ... ocessor%29

Have you heard of poeple having any luck with heavy unervolts for E7/E8's?

graysky
Posts: 147
Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2005 4:14 pm
Location: My desk

Post by graysky » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:08 am

What do you plan to do with the box? HTPC or HTPC/NAS? If so why in the world would you want to o/c it? I would think you'd want a cool running and quiet machine for that role.

NT
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:01 am

Post by NT » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:20 am

I do mostly, but on occasion I want to OC.
I've rephrased my OP so hopefully that helps?
Sorry for the confusion & thanks! :D

graysky
Posts: 147
Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2005 4:14 pm
Location: My desk

Post by graysky » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:44 am

You're asking for a super chip. Some are better high and some low, but I don't know of one that that'll be great at both ends of the scale, that said I haven't looked either. If it's lower you're after, a good set of DDR2 @ 800 and 4-4-4-12 is what you want. For the high end, DDR2 @ 1066 and 5-5-5-15. Low end is best power consumption; high end is highest power consumption. High end will require expensive cooling while low end setup is free cooling (included HSF from intel). My system I mentioned in my first post never kicks the fan on above 800 RPM because core temps (prime95 and linpack) are under 50C.

I can't help you beyond that :p

NT
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:01 am

Post by NT » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:02 pm

graysky wrote:You're asking for a super chip. Some are better high and some low, but I don't know of one that that'll be great at both ends of the scale, that said I haven't looked either.
excerpt from

jalyst:
If a 45nm C2D or Xeon model/batch is a known good OC'r, does that lend itself to also being as good under-volter? Seems that would make sense...

snappy1:
Typically Yes, I know it's not a core 2 duo but I have a gem batch W3540 Xeon cpu, it will run at 4GHz on just less than stock volts(Prime 95 Large FFT @1.163 volts load)
I haven't tried undervolting @stock , but I am sure it would if it can run less than stock volts with a 35% overclock.
Last edited by NT on Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

NT
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:01 am

Post by NT » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:14 pm

If it's lower you're after, a good set of DDR2 @ 800 and 4-4-4-12 is what you want. For the high end, DDR2 @ 1066 and 5-5-5-15. Low end is best power consumption; high end is highest power consumption. High end will require expensive cooling while low end setup is free cooling (included HSF from intel). My system I mentioned in my first post never kicks the fan on above 800 RPM because core temps (prime95 and linpack) are under 50C.
Yes I'll prolly get DDR2-800 as it's still got a fair bit of headroom for OC'ing anyway, but maintains tight timings and lower voltage when not being OC'd.
Unless there's something like DDR2-1066 4-4-4-12? But I doubt there would be anything under JEDEC....

The CPU will be under-volted most of the time, but I'll still get one of the best CPU heatsinks too keep it crispy cool, & also for times I want to OC.
It will have one or more 120mm fans that should be at a relatively low RPM most of the time.

any personal preference for RAM? thanks.
Last edited by NT on Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

NT
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:01 am

Post by NT » Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:56 am

holy shit
http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?p=1370162
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showt ... p?t=110792
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=101968

I'm starting to think I might wait for clarkedale/arrandale...
I was thinking the IGP would be the same or worse than the X4500HD but it looks to be substantially better.
Plus there's hyper-threading, not to mention 32nm CPU + 45nm GPU & the efficiency gained there...

NT
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:01 am

Post by NT » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:01 am

I'm thinking I'll just use my:
ga-p35-dq6 + c2d (can't recall model) + 4GB DDR2-1066 (corsair) + Gbyte 8600GTS as my Myth BE "&" XBMC FE for the moment.

Then after the clarkdale/arrandale stuff comes out I'll select a CPU + Motherboard for a new front-end.
Initially I'll see how far I can get with just the IGP, but I'll prolly eventually add a GT220.

OK idea or overkill for what will primarily be a front-end?

Do you reckon a Clarkdale + Mobo will be as cheap as a similarly configured Wolfdale + G45 mobo is now?
I don't want to wait 6-weeks only to find I'm paying 10% (or more) extra when I don't need the extra performance anyway.
And everything better be out on the 7th, I don't want to wait 6-weeks or more :(
Last edited by NT on Sun Dec 27, 2009 11:04 pm, edited 2 times in total.

NT
Posts: 123
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:01 am

Post by NT » Sun Dec 27, 2009 10:45 pm

*bump* anyone? dunka

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