Hello there.

I'd like to know whether a E2180 can pull 400MHz out of its 200MHz quad-pumped bus, with a high multiplier (x8 or x9), or the FSB wall is somewhat lower? Longevity isn't a major issue as I'm planning to switch to a Q9x00 within a year, and it's being cooled by a Xigmatek HDT-S963 + OCZ Freeze Extreme TC (9x333MHz@default vcore, 6h Prime95/x64=50ºC). Very nice little cooler, and the perfect combination for this CPU/price range, I believe.

The system:

• Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3/r2.1 (latest BIOS);
• 2x2GB OCZ DDR2-1000 Platinum Ed. (memtested @ spec timings/voltage, OK);
• Gigabyte HD3850/512 PCI-e 2.0;
• Samsung Spinpoint F1 640GB;
• Corsair VX550W.

(I have to say, for all the "Does X MoBo work with Y RAM?" and "My MoBo/RAM/VGA/RAM/etc. is DOA!!!" flying around, this thing booted correctly at first try. Even at the first 9x333MHz attempt!)

Plus TV/DVB-S/LAN cards and additional HDDs (though none are fitted yet), a DVD-RW SATA drive and a crap-load of 12cm PWM fans (!!!).

I'm trying to get a rock-solid (24/7) 4:5 ratio with DDR2-1000@5-5-5-18, or 1:1, DDR2-800@4-4-4-12, with a x8 multiplier (3.2GHz) or x9 (3.6GHz).

But if FSB400 is impossible, or very difficult, or unstable, I won't waste time pursuing it. This build is two weeks behind schedule as it is, and I want to stress-test it for, at least, 72h still (HDD and VGA included).

Thank you.

it will totally depend on your luck on what chip you get. what i mean is some dont get to 400FSB i overclock 2 of them they both got a FSB wall at -380 that means i cant get pass 380FSB.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my, apparently, "too trivial" question.

I believe you're spot-on. The "Wall" is at around 375-380MHz, as I'm able to Prime-test it @ 8x376 (3GHz), underclocked, with below 50ºC temps (RealTemp and EVEREST).

So, to whoever it may interest, the answer to my own question and to this thread, is NO. Without any pin-modding, unless you are willing to increase vcore to 1.6v or thereabouts, run at 75ºC and above, plus having your case lift-off from the pull your fans will generate, FSB400 is beyond the reach of the E2180 (and, I guess, all E2xx0).

Anyway, getting almost identical E8400 (otb) performance for 1/3 of the price isn't a bad deal. At all! Plus, it runs cool and, therefore, whisper quiet, and it's quite energy efficient (for a 65nm core).

the highest i have seen is 402FSB not normal voltage i think it was nothing extreme. thats the best result i have seem. but i would say 8/10 will only get to 375-380.no more then that.

but still the value you get is fantastic.