is it worth replacing my xp2700+ with a barton xp3200+

[kev2008]

hi there
currently have an xp 2700+, with a radeon x1950 pro and 1 gig ram on an asrock k7 upgrade-600 mobo... my system runs the majority of next gen games well but there is room for improvement.. i have seen many posts saying that the barton xp3200 can be overclocked quite alot so would i get much of a perfomance boost if any from upgrading to a barton xp3200?

or is there no point in replacing my current cpu, and just upgrade my whole comp (wich i cant really afford atm)

any help would be much appriceated.

[Wizzard1]

The AXP cant be overclocked much, you'd need to raise your FSB to something past what your memory can reach, and would then be not worthwhile.

The best replacement processor, if you'd like to overclock, would be a AXP-m 2800/3000+. Those can be easily overclocked to almost anything: Top binned, open multi's, and lower rated voltage, and higher max multi due to a native low FSB of 133MHz.

Go for the XPm, and overclock the FSB to 400MHz with maybe a 10x multi, at 1.5V, and see what you can get from that.

Then, raise the FSB 1:1 with DRAM and acheive your maximum DRAM speed. Raise VDIMM to a maximum of 2.7V to get best results. Loose timings are OK, loosen them all the way.

Once you have maxed out your FSB and DRAM, raise your multiplier, and voltage up to 1.75V (if necessary).

Voila!

[kev2008]

hi Wizzard thanks for the help. after researching the XP-m2800+ and 3000+, i found that the 3000+ only has a 64 KB L2 cache as i found out here: http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K7/AMD-Mobile%20Athlon%20XP-M%203000+%20-%20AXMA3000FKT4C.html and the 2800+ has a 512 KB L2 cache. so i decided to purchace the 2800+ along with 2 sticks of 1GIG ddr400 ram.. the only thing is im not sure if my motherboard is able to change the multiplier as there is no option in the bios... can only change FSB and voltage, is there any program i could download that would enable me to change the multiplier?

also what heatsink would you recommend and where could i buy it? decent socket A heatsinks are hard to find... thanks again

[Wizzard1]

Did you read that whole bit? It's a glitch in that guy's PC... I find it hard to believe you didnt read that

[kev2008]

well i must have miss read it lastnight while deciding what one to get. oh well i'v allready paid for the xp-m 2800+....
ok so what heat sink should i get considering its going to be OC'd, do you know a reputable company or site i can buy from?
also what programs are there that enables you to change the multiplier, because i dont seem to have the option in my bios

[Wizzard1]

Newegg sells good socket A heatsinks.

Multiplier is changable on the chip (do some Google) and there is a tool for Mobile XPs in Windows which allows you to change the multi, you can Google that too

[kev2008]

i just downloaded crstal CPUID wich enables me to change the muliplier. and newegg is great, found a nice heat sink too, thanks alot for you help much apprisiated