Overclocking P4 3.0 HT

I have a P4 3.0 on an 800MHz FSB system with HT enabled. What kind of overclocking results has anyone had with this and what can I expect?

Are you talking about P4 630 "Prescott" HT CPU? If yes, then that's the one I have.

When I bought this CPU, with stock heatsink at stock frequencies (3GHz), it was idle'ing around ~40C, and on load ~62-64C.

Now currently I'm running this CPU at 240FSB (240x4 = quad pumped), that means 240x15=3600MHz. It's perfectly rock-stable. Dual Prime95, fold 24/7, gaming, heavy multitasking, server-related softwares.. etc. But I'm running with Thermalright TR2M13SE, and thermalright thermal compund (not applied AS5 yet). And I'm idling around ~35C, and on load I get same temps, around ~62-64C. Maybe after a night-long dual prime 95, and 3dmark 01se test looping, I get temps as high as 68-70C, but a friend-of-mine is running at stock frequencies, stock heatsink, everything stock, at higher temps then 70C on load, and it is correctly set the heatsink..

Never forget that it's a prescott, and it can be pushed really hard, because it was made to support high temps.

I can run this CPU at near 3.8-3.9GHz, benchmark stable / spi 32MB, but without my case, I mean like a room-fan blowing fresh air at the CPU, because simply now I have a crappy case, with only 2 fans (one is the psu's exhaust), and there is almost no ventilation. Without case, I get temps near 65C at ~3.9GHz.

According to the other people this CPU can be pushed _EASY_ up to 4.2-4.4GHz at air cooling, with a Zalman (copper heatsink) cooler, some AS5, and a _GREAT_ ventilation case, and of course a great PSU. Somewhat my overclock is limited by ventilation yet, but a new case I ordered, it should arrive in a week or so.

This CPU (prescott) is a furnice, even at stock settings, simply it has impressive heat dissipation, but you shouldn't have worry about it. It isn't hard to cool down, seriously.

Some screenshots, about my speeds, benchmarks, temps.. etc:

idle temps (see EIST, it's at 3.3GHz, instead of 3.6GHz)

spi 1MB

pcmark 04

folding like a madman (see temps)


PS: Lock the AGP/PCI at bios (but you know that ), and push up the FSB, benchmark a lot, see temps, I assume, that you've got some real nice ventilated case, zalman cooler, and AS5, then you can hit easy 4GHz, then stop there burn'in a few days, and go higher. When I'm gonna get my new case (included a 600W "branded" romanian psu, but it's stable, I know them), my ventilation setup will be 3:3 (front 2x80mm intake, side 1x120mm intake / 1x120mm psu's exhaust, 1x120mm exaust below psu, 1x80mm exhaust blowhole thingy on the top of the case). And I'll apply AS5, and going to hit 4GHz, if I can't then I'm gonna get Artic Freezer pro 7 / Zalman cooper or separate xp90/120 heatsink...

EDIT: I'm satisfied with this CPU

Flames aside, it is kind of a poor question; in that its really non-specific. Still, I think you went a tad overboard on him, Weld.

It will overclock, how much exactly you're gonna end up with is gonna be dependent on the motherboard and RAM as weld mentioned, obviously. Also, just because its a 630 prescott (assuming it is,) doesn't guarantee any level of overclocking. Depending on the stepping and your luck, you might not be able to even hit 3.4 on good air, or you might be able to break 4.0.

Just don't take anyone's word for it. Yes, it will overclock. How significantly is up to fate and how good your other hardware is.

It's not a 630, I have a PGA-478 package (FC-mPGA).

It's a P4 3.0E (which doesn't have a processor code) mounted on a Gigabyte 8S648FXP-RZ. At the moment I still have the Intel boxed cooler installed. So yes, it is a Prescott, and yes, it is on a durable board. I posted that at 1AM after working nearly 36 hours straight. I apologize if it was a little incomplete. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't address me like some kind of noob in the future. Your insights and opinions are welcomed, and thank you for your time.

btw, I also know that there is more than one P4 3.0, there are 14 to be exact. (10 of which are Prescotts, 4 are Northwoods, and the last is a Yonah - the 631. There was a Tejas slotted for production, but the idea was scrapped.)

[EDIT]As corrected, the 631 is not a Yonah, it is a Cedar Mill[/EDIT]

Should be able to get some decent overclocks out of it. I think most socket 478 prescotts on decent cooling will cap out around 3.6 though.

Thanks for the input, I'll see what I can do. I'll post in bechmarks when I get around to doing it. I want to invest in a better heatsink/fan before I do anything.

If you want to get a ~50$ CPU cooler then go with: ZALMAN CNPS7700-CU, one of the best.

If you want a cheaper one ~30$, then go with: Scythe KATANA SCKTN-CU1000, I've this one for my old celery, and I'm satisfied with it.

Cheaper, for ~10$: ARCTIC COOLING ACSS4U.

EDIT: And don't forget to get an ARTIC SILVER 5, it's only 4$US.

I always use Arctic Silver!!!!

Thanks for the cooler recommendations. We'll see what the budget allows, lol.