Athlon XP 2600m WOW!!

[bosox188]

This is from a thread on sapphiretech.com. And you can check the newegg reviews, this is a $100 processor, it's the mobile 2600 but you can put it in desktops I guess (didn't know that) And the thing can overclock like hell, apparently is close to an Athlon FX-53, and beats it by a lot in data transfer. And this guy knows what he's talking about, trust me.

http://www.sapphiretech.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7128

So sweet.

 

[blahblahblah]

Its 25% true. I'll explain later when I have time. It overclocks well, but has some drawbacks to it.

 

[bosox188]

Aight, but for $100 looks ok to me.

 

[Vigilante]

I heard about this a while ago. I'd like to see some benchmarks

 

[Prince of China]

Holy ****ing shit!
I would have to upgrade my motherboard, but it would be worth it.
But then, I'm not sure, afterall it is a mobile processor.
I'll wait for some more confirmation.

 

[bosox188]

Well I wanna see what blahblahblah says, but every newegg review gave it 5 out of 5 and they all overclocked it to at least over 2.0ghz, most 2.4ghz and beyond. Yes it's a mobile processor but that doesn't make it worse, in fact it runs a lot cooler and uses less voltage. I'd like to hear the drawbacks first though.

 

[DiSTuRbEd]

afterall it is a mobile processor.

What are you talking about? The mobile processor is as good or better than the XP processors.

 

[blahblahblah]

Warning: Long Post Ahead

An Athlon XP-M is straight up an Athlon XP processor running at a lower voltage. The Athlon XP line (particularly the new Barton cores) have a higher probability running at a lower voltages while being perfectly stable. During testing, they often removed these *golden chips* from the production lines and classified them as Athlon XP-M. This means they the run at their rated speed, except they only use 1.45 volts versus 1.65 volts for a typical Athlon XP desktop processor. Common sense may tell you they will overclock better than a typical processor.

Common sense is right. They are absolutely fabulous overclockers.

However, there are some downsides to it. The first one is advertised results. In newegg's reviews you will routinely see people bragging about reaching 2.5 GHz or higher with "no or little problem." However, they fail to mention they fall under the categeory as "extreme overclockers". From what I understand, using a decent 3rd party heatsink will allow you to overclock an Athlon XP-M 2500+ to 2.3 Ghz. A top of the line heatsink may allow you to push that to 2.4 GHz if you happen to receive a really good chip. A standard water cooling setup brings that average number up to 2.4 GHz while a good chip and an awesome water cooling system may hit 2.5 GHz. Even then those overclocking numbers have some exceptions which I will explain in a bit.

So overclocking results are much lower for an average person than what people are advertising which is a serious downside.

Next up is that the Athlon XP-M chips are completely unlocked. That means you can play with your FSB and multipliers all day long until the cows come home. An overclockers dream if you will. However, the common person doesn't understand that playing with your multiplier and FSB will yield different overclocking results.

Example - A multiplier of 11.5 and FSB of 200 (not doubled) yields the equivalent of Athlon XP 3400. A multiplier of 14 and a FSB of 166 only yields the equivalent of an Athlon XP 3300. Even though the second one is 24 MHz faster. So somebody bragging about reaching 2.5 GHz may not be really *maximizing* those 2.5 GHz of potential.

Next up is voltages. Again, these people who advertise incredible overclocks often take their voltages to the max. Which usually means hitting 1.85 volts. Most people who are sensible overclockers stay away from 1.85 volts (even if temps are good) because at that level of voltage, the voltage can actually start killing transistors which may reduce the life of the processors or kill it early. Yet, people ignore common sense with the Athlon XP-Ms'.

Related to the voltages, most XP-M's hit an overclocking wall at 1.65 volts. What does that mean? When you are overclocking and after you reach 1.65 volts for stability, the overclocking potential of these processors decline dramatically. Common people are only able to take their processors to 2.2 GHz on air @ 1.65 volts, but only to 2.3 GHz on air @ 1.85 volts. Again, that is a downside most people don't recongize.

Related, is the amount of energy these bad boys use. At stock levels, the use a very low amount of electricity. You overclock them and watch what happens. I remember reading some power calculations and a XP-M processor at 2.3 GHz uses nearly 90 Watts of power. Weak power supplies need not apply for XP-M overclocking duty.

The biggest disadvantage is the chip architecture itself. The Athlon XP architecture pretty much hit a performance wall because of its age. It had problems keeping up with its P4 counter parts. This is really noticeable with the XP 3200+, they are hardly equivalent to a 3.2 P4. So if you do achieve a PR rating of 3800+ (2.5 GHz), it will not perform the same as a 3.8 GHz P4. In fact, you will be lucky if it approximates a 3.4 GHz P4. So the higher you overclock, the less additional real world performance you will get.

Here are some XP-M benchmarks

With that said, the XP-M is a great overclocking chip. Just realize you are not getting a FX-53 killer when you buy it. If you get a decent chip, you may get a Athlon 64 2800+ killer instead. I think those chips are great if you want to learn how to overclock or enjoy overclocking as a hobby. Just don't expect the world with them.

PS - I calculate my PR ratings for an Athlon XP with this nifty tool.

 

[RussianEmpire]

dam blahblahblah you realy know a lot of stuff about computers
Good job man

 

[SidewinderX]

yeah, I have a 2400+M

I have a Thermaltake Silent Boost, and I run it stable at 11.5x200. Exellent for me. I could push the fsb higher with a bit better ram, but i'm happy here.

 

[m3ta1head]

$40 more and you can get the 2800+ 64, so why the hell would you buy the old XP? the 2800 overclocks just fine as well.

 

[ailevation]

Hmm I guess I could buy a new computer, a "testing" computer if you will. I have never owned an AMD setup, why not start with this $100 CPU that can be on par just about with a 3.0 and 3.2 P4.

 

[h4vvok]

Do the Mobile 2600 chips work with a regular Socket A mobo?

 

[blahblahblah]

Do the Mobile 2600 chips work with a regular Socket A mobo?

About 95% of all Socket A motherboards work. You will have to look around and see. For the most part, if you have a mainstream or enthusiast Socket A motherboard, it should be compatable with a Socket A XP-M.

 

[Kazuki_Fuse]

Holy, crap that could make a nice replacement for my damn 3200XP, for 100 american? Man why did I waste moeny buying my 3000 and 3200XP for?? plus about 50 australian for a decent heatsink. its a lot cheaper than the 285 i paid for the 3000XP.

 

[Prince of China]

What are you talking about? The mobile processor is as good or better than the XP processors.

I said that because I am using a desktop and it may have some problems.

 

[bosox188]

Thanks blahblahblah, the way I see it is if you've overclocked before and know what you're doing, and just want a cheap, fast processor for now it's a good deal, you can get a nice cooler for it for not too much. I'd say that it's not for everybody but for the right person the pro's definitely outweigh the cons. I won't be getting one as I can't get a new motherboard as well, if anything I may be able to get a P4C 2.8ghz but unfortunately I can't make the switch from Intel to AMD. I don't care, P4C's are nice, and in my next system it'll be AMD unless there is a big change until then. At least I'll know what I'm doing.

 

[shapeshifter]

Its 25% true. I'll explain later when I have time. It overclocks well, but has some drawbacks to it.

xp-m 2500+ Price = $96 (canadian, what I paid)

Overclocks to 2.5ghz rock soild stable (@ 1.925 volts) using air then again its a sp-97 (best socket a cooler on the market) with a good 92mm fan, but its way cheaper then a standard water cooling setup, and performs better.

drawbacks?

WTF are you talking about for something that costs less then 100 smackers there are nodrawbacks.

 

[bosox188]

xp-m 2500+ Price = $96 (canadian, what I paid)

Overclocks to 2.5ghz rock soild stable (@ 1.925 volts)

drawbacks?

WTF are you talking about for something that costs less then 100 smackers there are nodrawbacks.

He knows what he's talking about, he didn't say it was bad, he said there were some drawbacks, that's all. And there are, but yes for $100 it's an incredible cpu that's very cheap.

 

[shapeshifter]

He knows what he's talking about, he didn't say it was bad, he said there were some drawbacks, that's all. And there are, but yes for $100 it's an incredible cpu that's very cheap.

not really, he was commenting on how "many" people with high end air cooling "might" hit 2.4ghz if they are lucky.

thats wrong, most mobiles will hit 2.4ghz+ with good air cooling, just read basically any real hardware fourm (hardocp, amdmb, rage etc) almost everyone gets a good chip.

oh, and even when you do get a "dud" every single cpu Ive see hits at least 2.2ghz (with like a stock xp3200+ cooler) so there are still no drawbacks. :dozey:

 

[blahblahblah]

xp-m 2500+ Price = $96 (canadian, what I paid)

Overclocks to 2.5ghz rock soild stable (@ 1.925 volts) using airthen again its a sp-97 (best socket a cooler on the market) with a good 92mm fan, but its way cheaper then a standard water cooling setup, and performs better.

drawbacks?

WTF are you talking about for something that costs less then 100 smackers there are no drawbacks.

Tell me how many motherboards go to 1.925 volts? Tell me how wise it is to crank a CPU to that high of a voltage? Tell me how much you paid for your cooler ($56 on newegg) and not to mention the cost of a fan?

For the same price you could have bought an Athlon 64 2800+. And you would have better performance with the Athlon 64 2800+ than the XP-M at 2.5 GHz.

 

[Ecthe|ioN]

Tell me how many motherboards go to 1.925 volts? Tell me how wise it is to crank a CPU to that high of a voltage? Tell me how much you paid for your cooler ($56 on newegg) and not to mention the cost of a fan?

For the same price you could have bought an Athlon 64 2800+. And you would have better performance with the Athlon 64 2800+ than the XP-M at 2.5 GHz.

Haha .. Pwned.

Good one blahblahblah.. You know I support you since I'm your evil cookie eating minion (remember?)

 

[SidewinderX]

not really, he was commenting on how "many" people with high end air cooling "might" hit 2.4ghz if they are lucky.

thats wrong, most mobiles will hit 2.4ghz+ with good air cooling, just read basically any real hardware fourm (hardocp, amdmb, rage etc) almost everyone gets a good chip.

oh, and even when you do get a "dud" every single cpu Ive see hits at least 2.2ghz (with like a stock xp3200+ cooler) so there are still no drawbacks. :dozey:

...because most people on harware forums are "hardcore" overclockers, many of them order specific steppings.

 

[shapeshifter]

Tell me how many motherboards go to 1.925 volts? Tell me how wise it is to crank a CPU to that high of a voltage? Tell me how much you paid for your cooler ($56 on newegg) and not to mention the cost of a fan?

For the same price you could have bought an Athlon 64 2800+. And you would have better performance with the Athlon 64 2800+ than the XP-M at 2.5 GHz.

1. Plenty of mobos go to 1.925 and even higher espically if some one is buying an xp-m they are not buying it to run at stock, so they research and buy the best.

2. How wise? overclocking is never safe, but not much in life is, as long as the temps are kept in check it will be fine.

3. about 70 canadian (cheaper then 56 american) oh and when I got the mobile the 2800+ was Signifcantly more expensive. adding together how much the cpu would have cost, + a new motherboard it came to about almost 200 dollars more then just buying the mobile and sp-97.

(still is more expensive, amd64 2800+ $218.57 canadian + a good mobo ASUS K8V SE DELUXE $167.90. = $386
Cost of xp-m 2500+ today $121.80 cost of sp-97 $83.42. =$205 )

 

[bosox188]

Tell me how many motherboards go to 1.925 volts? Tell me how wise it is to crank a CPU to that high of a voltage? Tell me how much you paid for your cooler ($56 on newegg) and not to mention the cost of a fan?

For the same price you could have bought an Athlon 64 2800+. And you would have better performance with the Athlon 64 2800+ than the XP-M at 2.5 GHz.

Exactly, it will overclock well, but it's not gonna overclock to 2.4ghz or higher unless you have a really nice motherboard, and really good cooling and once you do that you'll have spent more than you would have for a retail Athlon 64 2800+. But it is a good cpu for those low on money and it can overclock pretty well on stock cooling too I'm sure.