Investigations into Athlon X2 Overclocking
by Jarred Walton on December 21, 2005 12:00 PM EST- Posted in
- CPUs
System Configuration
Since we're only looking at one CPU this time, we added and changed the memory options a bit. Last time, we looked at using value RAM vs. performance RAM based on Samsung TCCD memory. OCZ has moved from the old Rev2 Platinum to their new EL Platinum rated to PC-4800 speeds, and the older Rev2 platinum is no longer being manufactured. We're also adding in some results using OCZ VX Gold, Patriot 2x1GB, and we'll try to run some tests using 4x512MB of the OCZ EL Platinum. The VX RAM will be somewhat limited in performance by the maximum 3.2V that the DFI Infinity provides, but it will also serve as a reference point for tighter timings and lower bandwidth in comparison to the PC-4800 RAM.
Along with the more expensive CPU, we felt that it only made sense to upgrade the graphics card, so we're running with a GeForce 7800 GTX - an XFX model with default 450/1200 clock speeds. Note that for games, the results from the Venice processor will basically match the results that we would achieve with the Manchester, so you can refer to the earlier article to see how this system would perform in games with an X800 Pro. The reverse is also true; if you're only running games without any background tasks, the results here (in games) will show how well the Venice setup should perform with a more expensive graphics card. Here's the complete list of components used.
A complete set of benchmarks for a given configuration requires around 6-8 hours to complete, provided that nothing crashes. Unfortunately, crashes are an all-too-common occurrence when overclocking. A few driver updates (in order to run FEAR optimally) also invalidated earlier results. There are many, many factors that were not fully examined due to time constraints. This is not meant to be a fully comprehensive treatise on overclocking the X2 3800+ or any other processor. Different motherboards are certainly viable - in fact, quite a few motherboards should actually overclock better than the DFI Infinity that was used. This is really intended as a look at performance scaling, as well as some information for those looking to get the best bang for the buck. Building a faster system should be quite easy, but building a system with better performance per dollar (using a dual core processor) will be much more difficult.
I was also contacted by Asetek about testing out their MicroChill and WaterChill cooling solutions. This seemed like an appropriate place to add those to the list of benchmarked configurations, but they really deserve a separate review, so look for that in the very near future. Besides, article bloat and readability can be a problem.
Since we're only looking at one CPU this time, we added and changed the memory options a bit. Last time, we looked at using value RAM vs. performance RAM based on Samsung TCCD memory. OCZ has moved from the old Rev2 Platinum to their new EL Platinum rated to PC-4800 speeds, and the older Rev2 platinum is no longer being manufactured. We're also adding in some results using OCZ VX Gold, Patriot 2x1GB, and we'll try to run some tests using 4x512MB of the OCZ EL Platinum. The VX RAM will be somewhat limited in performance by the maximum 3.2V that the DFI Infinity provides, but it will also serve as a reference point for tighter timings and lower bandwidth in comparison to the PC-4800 RAM.
Along with the more expensive CPU, we felt that it only made sense to upgrade the graphics card, so we're running with a GeForce 7800 GTX - an XFX model with default 450/1200 clock speeds. Note that for games, the results from the Venice processor will basically match the results that we would achieve with the Manchester, so you can refer to the earlier article to see how this system would perform in games with an X800 Pro. The reverse is also true; if you're only running games without any background tasks, the results here (in games) will show how well the Venice setup should perform with a more expensive graphics card. Here's the complete list of components used.
| AMD Overclocking System | |
| Hardware | Component |
| Processor | Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 2x512K 2.0GHz (OEM) |
| Heat Sink/Fan | Thermalright XP-90 with generic 92mm 3000 RPM fan |
| Motherboard | DFI nF4 INFINITY nForce4 AMD 6.70 drivers |
| Memory | Patriot/PDP 2x1024MB ELL 2-3-2-5-1T OCZ EL Platinum PC4800 2-2-2-5-1T/2.5-4-4-7-1T OCZ Gold VX 2x512MB 2-2-2-8-1T@3.2V Generic PC3200 2x512MB 2.5-3-3-8-1T |
| Video Card | XFX 7800 GTX (450/1250 clocks) ForceWare 81.95 drivers |
| Hard Drive | Seagate SATA 250GB 7200RPM 8MB 7200.8 |
| Optical Drive | NEC 3540A |
| Case | Antec Performance II SX635BII (2x80mm Vantec Stealth fans installed) |
| Power Supply | OCZ PowerStream 600W |
A complete set of benchmarks for a given configuration requires around 6-8 hours to complete, provided that nothing crashes. Unfortunately, crashes are an all-too-common occurrence when overclocking. A few driver updates (in order to run FEAR optimally) also invalidated earlier results. There are many, many factors that were not fully examined due to time constraints. This is not meant to be a fully comprehensive treatise on overclocking the X2 3800+ or any other processor. Different motherboards are certainly viable - in fact, quite a few motherboards should actually overclock better than the DFI Infinity that was used. This is really intended as a look at performance scaling, as well as some information for those looking to get the best bang for the buck. Building a faster system should be quite easy, but building a system with better performance per dollar (using a dual core processor) will be much more difficult.
I was also contacted by Asetek about testing out their MicroChill and WaterChill cooling solutions. This seemed like an appropriate place to add those to the list of benchmarked configurations, but they really deserve a separate review, so look for that in the very near future. Besides, article bloat and readability can be a problem.
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JarredWalton - Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - link
This may seem like a stupid question, but you did copy the SuperPi executable into two separate folders, right? Otherwise, the two running processes overwrite each others' data and one will always fail. Anyway, I don't find SuperPi to be a very useful stress test compared to Folding@Home, Prime95, and several other utilities; it just doesn't stress the system out that much IMO.Yianaki - Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - link
Yes of course it is in two folders. I realized that the SECOND time I did it Heh.Leper Messiah - Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - link
Thats actually a good thing, my X2 3800 does 2.65 at 1.425 vcore stable a rock. Looks like this x2 test is a good average indicator instead of most reviews which have the nice cherry picked silicon.JustAnAverageGuy - Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - link
Yeah, My Opteron 165 seems to top off at around 2.6GHz with the stock cooler.Araemo - Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - link
If you buy a socket 939 opteron, will it work in a normal NF4/etc mobo?A dual core opteron is tempting if it will work in the standard enthusiast motherboards. Get a nice heatsink and get it nice and toasty, I could turn my heater back off. :) And I hope 2GB RAM sticks go down in price within the next 9 months.. I'm still debating between a sweet laptop or a good overclocker desktop for my next computer, the desktop would be much cheaper, for sure, but it is a pain to take to LAN parties.
JustAnAverageGuy - Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - link
Most NF4 motherboards support the S939 Opteron, yes. Check the manufacturer's site to confirm though.Googer - Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - link
I found it a bit humourous that this http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/cpu/amd/athlon...">graphresembles a tent. It reminded me of the days in high school when kids would get fill in the bubble tests and use the answer sheets to do connect the dot drawings.
I wonder if Jarred had too much time on his hands?
kleinwl - Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - link
If you are going to start testing various cooling systems and how they affect max overclock... go ahead and throw in a Seasonic PSU as well. The Seasonic should be rejecting less heat into the case which may make as much difference in overclock as a more efficent Heat Sink. In any case... try it out please!<Note I have a XP-90, with a Antec SmartPower 2.0, on a venice... and I'm curious how such a case temp difference could affect the overclocking potential>
BigLan - Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - link
quote: Looking at the different RAM options, it's difficult to make a good case for spending tons of money on memory.I've always thought that spending a lot of extra cash on memory was a bad idea. It pretty much shows no improvement in Fear. It's nice to see a review of the everyday stuff.
Puddleglum - Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - link
The results for Fear looked bizarre. After reading some of the charts where 4xAA is used on games like Battlefield2 and FEAR, which would be a nice feature to show off on a high-end system, the numbers reveal marginal performance.I confess, I'm still using a Ti4200, which is only performing well in games because it's not drawing the DX9 stuff, and I've truly been waiting for an ideal video card to come out that's worth purchasing; but the new cards that are out right now are making it easy to sit back and wait for the hardware/software ratio to become a little more price-competitive.
Also, why is the OCZ PC4800 freaking out with BF2 when the CPU is overclocked to 2.1GHz?