XP-M 2500+ Info Needed

[chris123]

i'm currently in the process of getting (depending on money!!) an NF7-S v2.0 motherboard to base a system around. i was ready to purchase a standard XP 2500+ when i started reading about the xp-m 2500's.

at this point i don't know if i'll be overclocking so i was wondering how the two processors (xp-m and xp) compare at stock?

also i need some advice on a cpu cooler to get?

oh yea one last thing will 1 gig of Crucial PC2700 be enough if i do decide to overclock?

Thank you

[BUFF]

The default fsb of the XP-M is 266 whereas the standard is 333, however the XP-M has a slightly higher clockspeed which should compensate. They both have the same PR rating so should be comparable.

Cooler depends on budget - imho the Tt Volcano 12 is v. good value & you get the ability to run it quietly but at reduced performance or loud but cooler or anywhere in between.
Thermalright Slk900, SP97 & appropriate fan are a little better but dearer.

If you decide to overclock I would get PC3500 or 3700, you will certainly get 200fsb (PC3200) & quite probably 215-230fsb (if you are really lucky & get a great board maybe even more).

[blockers]

NF7-S sounds great excellent board for overclocking, with loads of onbaord features

The difference between the xp2500(-m) is the default core voltage. (read Buff's post....im no pro on the subject )On the standard it is 1.65v, where as the xp2500-m it is 1.45v (as they are designed for laptops and low power consumption, they still work fine in regular boards.) If i were you i would get the xp2500-m as people have acheived wicked overclocks (not that the xp2500) its just that with the lower vcore you have more head room...as it will handle the same as the regular one.

As for RAM. Its not advisable to get pc2700 for overclocking, as that is only 333mhz. Now you want pc3200 (400mhz or 200fsb,) becuase this will get you higher clock speeds at tight timings. If you are overclocking an insane amount pc3500/pc3700 is even better.

Summary:
NF7-S = GREAT
XP2500 = OK, XP2500-m = GREAT
1gb pc2700 Crucial = OK, 1gb pc3200 Crucial = GREAT, 1gb pc3500 Corsair = INSANE!

Hope thats helps
Will

[mike_w]

If you decide to overclock, you'd be better off getting PC3200 so you can go to at least 200FSB.

[Theo]

Unless you plan on overclocking, there's no point in getting an XP-M rather than a normal XP chip, chap.

The chips are, as far as I know, identical, except for the fact that the XP-M chips run at 1.45V stock. Therefore making the chip run cooler than a normal XP chip (1.65? Can't remember). Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Personally, I'd suggest you get a gig of PC3200, rather than PC2700. With the NF7-S, 2500, and a decent set of ram (crucial is okay, twinmos is fab), you can easily bump the 2500 upto 3200 speeds. Possibly further if you want to.

So basically, XP-M = cooler than XP

[daniel_owen_uk]

I have just swapped my 2500xp for a 2500m (was a stroke of luck), and I can honestly say the m is much better, standard would do 2.3 @ 1.85, new one does 2.6 @ 1.9 (and is prime stable).

Granted I am overclocking and watercooling, so I would see the difference much more than someone running at stock and on air, but surely you are better paying the extra tenner and having the potential?

My mobile processor was weird however, it says unknown cpu in my nf7-s (might need bios update), so there is actually no stock speed.

[chris123]

cheers for the quick response

i've decided i think i will overclock, just cause i'm willing to experiment!

i've started looking into the memory thing. what would you advise. i propbably wont be doing 'insane' overclocking so don't need stupidly expensive stuff. as i'm on a tight budget (student and all ) i was thinking of getting 512Mb instead of a gig and saving for another 512Mb later on (PC3200) .

1) would this still be ok for overclocking and...

2) what do you recomed make wise? (i've heard the Geil is good, but i ain't no pro )

Cheers

[Falcon2004]

Stupid thing...whats a PR rating?

[blockers]

Stupid thing...whats a PR rating?

Performance Rating - basically its so that AMD dont get pwned by Intel with people who buy from PC world without a clue. a 3.06ghz P4 sounds better than a 2.4ghz AMD...even though the AMD is as good/better. So AMD renamed all CPU's. The official word is NOT to be compared with Intel, but the chips PR speed is matched almost perfectly to Intels.....e.g. AMD XP3200 = 3.2ghz P4.

Chris:
I would go for 2x256mb RAM and get dual channel performance (5% increase on single channel) Then if you want to upgrade you can part exchange with someone else for a 1gb, or your 512mb + money. As for RAM i would say Adata, or crucial is up your street for cheapness, there have been compitibility issues with Twinmoss RAM so its probably best to stir clear.

RAM speed = you probably want to go for pc3200 with fairly tight timings (CAS 2.5 or less) As this will give you more adjustment and tweakage.

Hope thats ok...

Will

[BUFF]

My mobile processor was weird however, it says unknown cpu in my nf7-s (might need bios update), so there is actually no stock speed.

They all do that - XP-M's are meant for laptops not desktops so the BIOS doesn't have any knowledge of them.
Still work well though, don't they?

PR rating
http://www.ocfaq.com/article.php/overclocking/AMD/36

[madwelshboy]

Hi chris123,

I would agree with blockers, however I have read quite a few reports on memory and overclocking cpu's and on many they have stated that they get the best cpu overclock with 2x512mb dimms, then next best with 2x256mb dimms, then 1x512mb dimm so I would TRY to pay the bit extra for the gig (obviously depends if budget will stretch ), if not 2x256 of crucial @ www.overclockers.co.uk is good stuff (I have had it to 410 cas 2 and 2.75v on an IC7).
I have Geil mem in my rig (but its P4 based - see sig), and its REALLY expensive now, I paid £250 for it 6 months ago ).
Hope this babble helps.........

[Falcon2004]

thanks for that b;lockers.

And as for RAM, if you want performance then I've always found that the corsair XMS series is above all the rest, it IS quite expensive but i always buy it as it always performs brilliantly, expecialy with graphical applications (Games, DVDS, rendering etc)

[JokerCPoC]

Well I must be doing real well, As My 2500+ xp-m is running at 2.54Ghz @37c so far today (1.95vcore) and the Ram I'm using is OCZ PC4200EL 512Mb DC (2x256Mb) ram(2.90vdimm voltage), I have an sp-97 with a 92mm Tornado which helps, I may need to use AS2 under the northbridge to go faster though, Not bad for air cooling. And to think this cpu only cost Me $95.00 and I was able to sell My old 3000+ cpu on ebay for the same amount too, So in the end all I had to pay for was for the ebay and paypal fees for My old cpu.

Edit: Oh and I have a DFI NFII Lanparty Ultra B motherboard with the Stock Bios that I run this on, I have an SLK-948U mounting plate as the Original mounting plate could damage the DFI Ultra Infinity and the Ultra B that I have now, dust not withstanding that is and I have to clean out the hsf every month around here, As I have a Cat.

[chris123]

cheers for all the help

think i'm going to stick with the XP-m and then go with one gig of crucial p3200, can't really stretch to the corsair.

thanks for all the help!

Really useful

[LayZeh]

for roughly £10-£20 more than crucial charge for 1GB you could get two of these, noting that you'd probably have to buy one 512 stick and two 256s as the NF7-S only has three slots, place the 512 in slot three and the two 256s in slots 1 and 2 and you're away.

http://www.overclock.co.uk/customer/...cat=258&page=1

or this

http://www.overclock.co.uk/customer/...cat=258&page=1

or this

http://www.overclock.co.uk/customer/...cat=258&page=1

or this

http://www.overclock.co.uk/customer/...cat=258&page=1

remind me why on earth you're so set on getting crucial, they're crap, definitely not an overclockers or enthusiasts choice of memory.

[Applecrusher]

I have an sp-97 with a 92mm Tornado.

Are'nt they just a perfect set!!

i have one and it'll cool anything....

but i have my barton 2500+ running at 236 FSB @2.1v (mmmmm voltage.. had to put heatsinks on the little black things with the power... cant remember what their called).....