Overclocking the Athlon XP-M 2500+ Processor @ TechReport
Posted by: Newsfactory on: 02/26/2004 03:49 PM [ Print | 5 comment(s) ] · 3312 views
Following on from Stimpy's article AMD's best kept Secret ! Just thought I would give you the heads up on the latest developments in the so called "obsolete" Athlon XP line of CPU's... The Mobile Athlon XP-M 2500+ seems to be AMD's latest overclocking king, news is starting to spread through the various enthusiast forums now, and the resulst are amazing! Some people are getting 2.7GHz and MORE!
Needless to say, the TechReport couldn't sit this one out, so last week they ordered up an Athlon XP-M 2500+, and have spent the last 24 hours or so putting it through its paces. Read on to find out more about this overclocking wonder, and see how our particular chip fared.
The first question in many people's minds is: What's up with putting a mobile chip in a desktop system? Well, there are a couple of important factors that make the XP-M such a desirable chip from an overclocking standpoint. The first is the default voltage of the chip. Desktop Athlon XP 2500+ chips run at a frequency of 1.8GHz using a default voltage of 1.65V. That's fine for desktop systems that don't have to worry about power consumption or battery life, but it's a different story for mobile systems.
Because voltage relates directly to power consumption, one way to cut down on the amount of power used in a mobile application would be to lower the core voltage of the processor. Of course, it's not quite that simple. Some 2500+ chips may continue to run properly at 1.8GHz if their core voltage is set below 1.65V, but others may become unstable or crash outright at anything below 1.65V. Every chip is different in this regard, and you won't know until you try.
AMD does in fact use this method for the Athlon XP-M. Basically, they test their chips and determine which 2500+ chips can maintain their 1.8GHz clock speed properly with only 1.45V of core voltage instead of 1.65V. Chips that pass this test can then be set to a default voltage of 1.45V and sold as Athlon XP-Ms. Essentially, the XP-M 2500+ is the cream of the crop within its speed grade. Not only can it do 1.8GHz, it can do it with one hand tied behind its back, so to speak.
Overclocking the Athlon XP-M 2500+ Processor
Needless to say, the TechReport couldn't sit this one out, so last week they ordered up an Athlon XP-M 2500+, and have spent the last 24 hours or so putting it through its paces. Read on to find out more about this overclocking wonder, and see how our particular chip fared.
The first question in many people's minds is: What's up with putting a mobile chip in a desktop system? Well, there are a couple of important factors that make the XP-M such a desirable chip from an overclocking standpoint. The first is the default voltage of the chip. Desktop Athlon XP 2500+ chips run at a frequency of 1.8GHz using a default voltage of 1.65V. That's fine for desktop systems that don't have to worry about power consumption or battery life, but it's a different story for mobile systems.
Because voltage relates directly to power consumption, one way to cut down on the amount of power used in a mobile application would be to lower the core voltage of the processor. Of course, it's not quite that simple. Some 2500+ chips may continue to run properly at 1.8GHz if their core voltage is set below 1.65V, but others may become unstable or crash outright at anything below 1.65V. Every chip is different in this regard, and you won't know until you try.
AMD does in fact use this method for the Athlon XP-M. Basically, they test their chips and determine which 2500+ chips can maintain their 1.8GHz clock speed properly with only 1.45V of core voltage instead of 1.65V. Chips that pass this test can then be set to a default voltage of 1.45V and sold as Athlon XP-Ms. Essentially, the XP-M 2500+ is the cream of the crop within its speed grade. Not only can it do 1.8GHz, it can do it with one hand tied behind its back, so to speak.
Overclocking the Athlon XP-M 2500+ Processor
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AC Posts: 36 Joined: 2003-06-09 |
#51565 Posted on: 02/26/2004 04:23 PM
This was posted a week + ago! |
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Stimpy Unregistered |
#51578 Posted on: 02/26/2004 08:02 PM
Hey! How about a credit for ME for writing this article??? It was posted word for word, with no additions from yourselfs. I like the way it says "Following on from OUR article" Please at least state the I wrote it please? |
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Smash526 Unregistered |
#51588 Posted on: 02/26/2004 10:48 PM
I see they fixed it eh Stimpy  |
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Stimpy Unregistered |
#51592 Posted on: 02/27/2004 12:09 AM
Nice one! Cheers for that ;-) |
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Chernobyl Unregistered Posts: 57 Joined: 2003-05-03 |
#51622 Posted on: 02/28/2004 01:44 PM
after reading the article, I tested my normal XP 2500+ Barton to see what is the lowest voltage it runs at. It was quite surprising. The lowest voltage I can set is 1.375V (Abit AN7 mobo) and it ran perfectly at 2600+ speed! (1.925GHz). Temps were 26C idle, 30C load, ambient was 17C. (using onboard sensors and a baby thermometer) It almost runs at 2.4GHz, 1.75V with air cooler: Speeze CopperEagle H/S+Fan. Top temp 46C. Its currently running as a 3200+ at under 1.6V. idle is 32C, load 36C. I'm putting the finishing touches to a hehe, really home made water cooler. Its the first prototype, using a PC heatsink inside a plastic water block. Has tremendous potential, hope it works as well as I'm thinking it should. I'll be doing a few triicks to improve the final version, this one is slapped together just to prove the idea has merit. The plan is to push this cpu somewhat further without busting my wallet out too much. |
