? Overclocked chip

[RedRock]

I can't seem to wrap my brain around this "overclocking" thing. Can someone explain it to me? Specifically, as I consider a new computer, I saw this review in PC Mag online www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2290421,00.asp

and it seems, from this paragraph and the last two sentences, especially,

"The iMac (24-inch Penryn) also comes with a large, 320GB hard drive, and ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO graphics card, the same as in the previous aluminum iMacs. Apple describes the processor simply as the "2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB L2 cache." Windows identifies it as the Intel Core 2 Duo E8235, and that's confirmed by the freeware utility CPU-Z, so that's what we'll go with. As usual, there are build-to-order options available, like larger hard drives (up to 1TB for another $300), upgraded Nvidia GeForce 8800 GS graphics ($150), 4GB of RAM (an additional $200), and an uprated 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo (also $200). Apple isn't confirming, but other parties are calling the latter an overclocked chip. It's not a Core 2 Extreme part, even though one at that speed is expected shortly."

that something shady or misleading is being done/said by Apple (?overclocking) to get the 3.06 speed, but maybe it's not really another chip, just a switch thrown in the 2.8 chip to make it act/seem it's 3.06? So that's a rip-off, not worth the extra cost?

Maybe by the time I commit, it will be a "real" chip or even faster, but can someone interpret this for me, please?

[vinsanity]

What the article is saying is that the 3.06 clock speed represented is not the native clock speed for the chip. I suspect this is the case as well since Intel does not make a 3.06 clock speed Core 2 Duo processor. It is likely the same 2.8 chip, overclocked. It has been overclocked to increase it's performance. Many people, Mar specifically , LOVE to overclock their chips. There is nothing wrong with this if you have the skills to do it properly. Messing around with voltages is not something I have researched enough to feel comfy with. Becasue I use a PC for approx 5 years I have always felt that I would rather buy the chip that produces the results I want without overclocking as overclocking shortens the chip life and generates more heat - a known chip foe.

[Urumii-Previously ThePresident]

I don't know how they do it with macs, but in PCs if they refer to a chip, whether video, or cpu, being overclocked it normally means it is overclocked out of the box. This can be done in many chips by soldering bridges together. Intel chips are all made exactly the same, but they are tested for their max stable speed. And they are locked to that speed and sold. So any intel chip has the ability to be overclocked to the same number, but you can reduce your life of the chip depending on how much you overclock.

Generally if you bye an overclocked chip out of box, it will be more stable than overclocking the chip yourself through the motherboard.

Mac might do it differently, they may build the system first with the 2.8 chip, and then go into the bios (does mac have a bios) and overclock it the way Mar and I, and many other people do with PCs.

So basically overclocking just means making your chip run faster than the factrory settings, which can be bad over a long period of time. But a long enough period that it doesn't make too much difference because the average person will get a new computer within the life of the overclocked chip. It would be like adjusting your timing, spark plugs, etc in your car to make it perform better.

[Marauder(CDN)]

www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27784&vpn=BX80570E8400&manufacture=Intel

there is a 3.0 ghz chip as I have built 2 systems based on it and an Evga motherboard. Overclocking is a finicky subject..there are many things that have to be in place to do it. Good ram..cooling and a basic knowledge of BIOS settings.The reading of 3.06 ghz is just a stock reading for a CPU like I linked. There is also a Core Duo 3.0ghz with 4 mb L2

[Urumii-Previously ThePresident]

Mar, what motherboards have you had the most success overclocking on? I've always been an Asus fan, I had a M2N32 SLI Deluxe in my last desktop. Had every setting possible after a BIOS flash. And had exceptional cool built in.

[vinsanity]

May 2, 2008 9:53:26 GMT -5 Marauder(CDN) said:

www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27784&vpn=BX80570E8400&manufacture=Intel

there is a 3.0 ghz chip as I have built 2 systems based on it and an Evga motherboard. Overclocking is a finicky subject..there are many things that have to be in place to do it. Good ram..cooling and a basic knowledge of BIOS settings.The reading of 3.06 ghz is just a stock reading for a CPU like I linked. There is also a Core Duo 3.0ghz with 4 mb L2

I own the processor you speak of. The Intel E6850 Core2 Duo. 3.0ghz from the factory, 4mb L2 cache. They say it is very overclockable, but I don't think I will mess with it.

[Urumii-Previously ThePresident]

You shouldn't really need to overclock it anyways. And depending on your motherboard, you might not want to. Some motherboards don't like when you overclock stuff. They get all upset. And then you might see the magic smoke Lamron talks about sometimes.

[RedRock]

Thanks, guys. Here is another review with more specific info on that "overclocked" chip:
reviews.cnet.com/desktops/apple-imac-24-inch/4505-3118_7-32976339.html

Here is the relevant paragraph:

"Contrary to earlier reports, the 3.06GHz chip is not the Core 2 Duo X9100, which is expected out later this summer when Intel launches its Centrino 2 (aka Montevina) platform. Instead, it's another Apple exclusive from Intel, which operates at the same clockspeed and on the same 1,066MHz bus as the forthcoming X9100 chip but at a higher wattage."

So, it's the same as the upcoming chip's speed but is done at higher wattage--so that implies it's an overclocked chip?

[vinsanity]

From that i would expect that it is not overclocked, but a chip that consumes more power to operate. i would think that a bad thing (heat.)

[vinsanity]

May 2, 2008 10:37:41 GMT -5 Urumii-Previously ThePresident said:

You shouldn't really need to overclock it anyways. And depending on your motherboard, you might not want to. Some motherboards don't like when you overclock stuff. They get all upset. And then you might see the magic smoke Lamron talks about sometimes.

I have the NVIDIA 680i motherboard, very overclockable.

[Marauder(CDN)]

I have run MSI,Asus..my current board is a DFI NF570 Sli M2/G. This has way more settings than most boards I have encountered. I really wanted the DFI Lanparty NF590 but the cost was prohibitive. DFI has one of the best reputations for OC'n stability on the market.

[Major_A]

me personally I don't really mess with overclocking, it is very doable, but life span of what I'd be messing with always hits me bc of the heat issue, now at some point, if I ever try to mess with it, it will be with a bunch of parts I have leftover from an upgrade so I won't have an accident with new stuff. So far I have never had the time, but I do have the parts. Specter Sniper would be good help with this. I'll point the link to him, and see if he may be able to help some people.