Is the Mobile XP 2500 the best value processor?!?!

[GIPNOR]

I understand that some people want/need the latest greatest and for that reason, they will go after the A64 line, P4EE, etc.

For people unwilling to pay for cutting edge processors, why would anybody buy anything other than a Mobile 2500?

<i>Maybe</i> you do a lot of video editing and a P4 could help you out there. I <i>guess</i> you could justify an Intel processor in that light.

I bought a Mobile 2500, slapped it in my nForce2 board today, and it easily runs at speeds greater than a stock 3200+, while at a lower voltage, <b>and</b> it does it while hanging around 40c using air cooling while running Prime95s torture test. (It stays in the low 30's otherwise).

These chips are a <i>steal</i> at under $100. I can't think of another processor that even approaches that kind of price/performance value. They'll continue to be a good deal at this price for the next 6 months!

My overclock isn't uncommon. People are squeezing out this kind of performance all over the place. For those willing to play with higher voltages and using water-cooling, 3Ghz appears to be the maximum clock speed the Mobile 2500s are attaining.

If anybody is in the market to upgrade their athlon processor, I'd highly recommend grabbing one of these Mobile 2500s before they dry up.

 

[jrosenst]

I totally agree. It’s the processor to get for the price. I would even recommend it for video editing, unless you’re a professional who has deadlines and needs to stay ahead of the competition.

You know, a year and a half ago people did video editing, and your current processor is as fast or faster then whatever there $8,000 rig cost.

 

[endyen]

You make a lot of sense, but I have my xp-m 2500+ at 2.4 gigs on an NF7-S board, so I may be biased.

 

[jrosenst]

Hell I agree, and I have 2 PC's. one is a Intel P4b 2.4 and the other is an Intel P4c 3.2

 

[TheRod]

The only problem with Mobile XP is that they are not available at local stores. People like us can buy CPU over the net and plug it into their motherboard.

But, most people don't know that the Mobile XP exists, they buy what is in store.

I seriuosly think to buy a Mobile Barton. I currently have a t-bred at 2.0GHz (166 x 12). I think I would get a good boost with a Barton that can I could run at 2.4 or 2.6GHz.

The only thing that would limit my O/C is that I have DDR333 Memory and I don't want to change it DDR400+, because I know that when I will change my MB, it will probably support DDR2. I don'T want to buy memory that I will not use for a long period!

--
Would you buy a potato powered chipset?

 

[P4Man]

Can't you unlock these mobile chips, and keep the FSB/memory at 333 and just up the the multiplier instead of the FSB ? Sure, it wouldnt be quite as fast as with a 400+ MHz FSB, but it wouldnt change much either. Difference between 333 and 400 MHz bartons at the same clockspeed are almost completely unnoticable.

= The views stated herein are my personal views, and not necessarily the views of my wife. =

 

[ytoledano]

Don't forget that overclocking isn't an option for many people, though it may seem obviouse to you. I know that if I mention it to people they would immediatly see it as a way to burn a procssor. I also know that if I had to have my system 100% stable at whatever cost I also wouldn't overclock.
But yeah, other than that the AXP-M 2500+ is great value.

Abit IS7 @ 275 FSB, VAGP @ 1.65, OCZ PC4200 RAM @ 550Mhz, P4 2.4 @ 3.3Ghz Vcore @ 1.625, GeXCube Radeon 9600P @ 450/626.
Thermalright SLK-947U, P3 HS @ NB.

 

[jrosenst]

re: system 100% stable at whatever cost I also wouldn't overclock.

Very true, but then you wouldn't be looking for the best price/performance in that situation either. You would want best Price/reliability.

 

[GIPNOR]

Can't you unlock these mobile chips, and keep the FSB/memory at 333 and just up the the multiplier instead of the FSB ?

Yup... they are completely unlocked. My "sweet spot" appears to be 12 X 190 @1.575 volts. The CPU is rated to be run at 1.45v, but my ASUS Deluxe nForce2 doesn't go any lower than 1.575.

By using my default and lowest voltage, this CPU ran Prime95 last night for 9.5 hours without error.

I've pushed it to 2500MHz, but I just don't want to worry about heat and higher voltages. Running my $93 processor at stock clock speeds for an Athlon 3200+ is adequate

Even if you don't overclock, the processors run very cool. People looking for quiet machines can gain here too.

Again, people are reporting this all over the place. It's not uncommon.

 

[pauldh]

I agree with you this chip has more than just OC potential. It does run very cool with low voltage. That's why I opted for Adjustable speed fans so I can cut it back and run it quiet also.


ABIT IS7, P4 2.6C, 512MB Corsair TwinX PC3200LL, Radeon 9800 Pro, Santa Cruz, TruePower 430watt

 

[ytoledano]

I guess it would prolly work with a passive HS but only with very good airflow in the case.
BTW, can it take any voltage the AXP 2500+ (non M) can? or would running it at 1.65V and higher fry it?

Abit IS7 @ 275 FSB, VAGP @ 1.65, OCZ PC4200 RAM @ 550Mhz, P4 2.4 @ 3.3Ghz Vcore @ 1.625, GeXCube Radeon 9600P @ 450/626.
Thermalright SLK-947U, P3 HS @ NB.

 

[ytoledano]

re: system 100% stable at whatever cost I also wouldn't overclock.

Very true, but then you wouldn't be looking for the best price/performance in that situation either. You would want best Price/reliability.

That's true. People can say that their non-workstation/server processor is 100% stable and that may be true but not all of those processors being sold are stable - which makes you think: Is a Xeon more stable than my P4 only because other P4s are not stable? No, but when you are thinking of buying one of them - Yes.

Abit IS7 @ 275 FSB, VAGP @ 1.65, OCZ PC4200 RAM @ 550Mhz, P4 2.4 @ 3.3Ghz Vcore @ 1.625, GeXCube Radeon 9600P @ 450/626.
Thermalright SLK-947U, P3 HS @ NB.

 

[GIPNOR]

Here's a long but excellent thread on the Mobile XPs <A HREF="http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=271103&perpage=50&highlight=XPM&pagenumber=1" target="_new">http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=271103&perpage=50&highlight=XPM&pagenumber=1</A>

People are using all kinds of voltages. The most extreme are pushing 2.1v, but most people seem to be staying around 1.7v or below with air cooling. I haven't read anything saying somebody fried their CPU.

I think most people can probably expect to get at least 2.2GHz out of these things at 1.65v. That's in line with an XP 3200+. There's no guarantee, but the odds appear to be in your favor.

 

[pauldh]

Again, yes you can run higher voltages, and that is one of the reasons these things OC well. It will run very cool at 1.45v or 1.5v. And like was just said 1.65v should give you 2.2GHz. Mine does 2.4GHz at that voltage but maxes out at around 2.6GHz. I even worked my way up to 2.03v today to try and get 2700MHz stable. It boots into windows but kicks me to the desktop running a benchmark. I wouldn't dare run it at that voltage or higher, so looks like 2.6GHz will be all i get, with air cooling anyway. It does vary chip to chip as my first one maxed out at 2.4GHz. But it's all about stability. Unstable Overclocks like my 2.7GHz mean nothing. If you can run prime95, sandra burnin, and 3dmark2001se loops without getting booted to the desktop, locking up, or the system rebooting, chances are it's stable. But the more you test it the better.

ABIT IS7, P4 2.6C, 512MB Corsair TwinX PC3200LL, Radeon 9800 Pro, Santa Cruz, TruePower 430watt

 

[TheRod]

My T-Bred run at 1.8V in BIOS (1.82Volts in Windows with MBM). If you keep your CPU temp. under or around 60 Celsius, it's dangerous to run Athlon XP at at 1.8/1.9Volts.

--
Would you buy a potato powered chipset?

 

[phsstpok]

Well, we've heard a lot about the overclocking ability of the mobile XP2500+ but now there are mobile processors XP2000+, XP2200+ (256K L2 cache) and XP2400+ (512K cache) on the market which are all cheaper.

If they overclock just as well then they would represent even better values.

<b>56K, slow and steady does not win the race on internet!</b>

 

[endyen]

From what I've read, including reviews at newegg, the xp-m 2400+ does not oc as well as the xp-m 2500+, but the xp-m 2600+ clocks even better. I haven't been able to get my hands on one of the 2600+ to test it out.

Looks like people are saying different know. The xp-m 2400+
is clocking as well as the xp-m 2500+, depending on luck.<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by endyen on 03/21/04 02:14 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[lhgpoobaa]

nice going.
whats your exact Mhz & voltage?

im at 2333Mhz @ 1.65v with my XP-M 2500+ right now.

COurse the big problem i had was finding one.
Virtually impossible to get them outside of the states/canada... i had to get my US friend to order one from newegg then ship it to me.

<b>My Computer is so powerful Sauron Desires
it and mortal men covet it, My Precioussssssss!

Regards,
Mr no integrity coward.</b> <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by LHGPooBaa on 03/21/04 05:07 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[addiarmadar]

The chip is great but the temp thing is a crock. I got the mobile barton 2500 and Im borderlining water-cooling the damned thing and I only have it at 1.7v . My cpu HSF is extremely hot and I do not understand how it does. Cant be my case sine I got a huge box fan blowing onto it. The mobile chips will give you the same OC range as the desktop chip, just the voltage scale is lower. My 1.7v on my mobile chip is doing the same damned thing as my desktop chips at 1.9v.

Mobile Barton 2500+ @ 2420mhz 11x220 1.7v
Asus A7N8X Dlx 440 FSB
1gb Geil GD pc3500 Dual Channel (2-3-3-6)
Segata 80gb SATA 8.5ms seek
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro(420/720)

 

[GIPNOR]

/shrug I dunno.. may just be the luck of the draw.

I'm running mine at 12X190 @1.575v for 2280MHz and I hover around 42c when running the Prime95 torture test. I'm using AS and a Thermaltake Silent Boost heatsink, so my cooling isn't as good as people with more powerful fans. My ambient temperature isn't that good either... my office is small and tends to heat up.

Here are the results I had. These were tested at least half an hour with Prime95. I liked my 12X190 results the most, so I ran the torture test overnight for 9.5 hours without error:

12 X 190 @1.575v = 2268Mhz 42c Under Load
12 X 200 @1.65v = 2400Mhz 43c Under Load
12.5 X 200 @1.75v = 2505Mhz 49c Under load


What is your heat like when you run it around 2200MHz and reduce the voltage?

BTW, somebody said the Mobile 2400 might be a better value. That might be the truth. I guess people feel their odds of getting a nice OC chip are better with the 2500's, but the 2400's are a bargain at under $80.

 

[phsstpok]

I haven't seen enough posts about mobile XP2400+ to decide whether it's equal or not.

I haven't seen any post at all on mobile XP2000+, XP2200+ and I just now heard about mobile XP1700+.

It's too early to say.

I'm still happy with my ol' Tbred B XP1700+. Though I only overclock it to 2.1 Ghz it was a steal a year ago at just $42 USD. It gained me another year+ of use out of my old motherboard. I wish I grabbed more of them at that price.

<b>56K, slow and steady does not win the race on internet!</b>

 

[pauldh]

Are you sure you did a great job of removing old heatsink compound and reinstalling the heatsink? A tiny strand of cotton ball could make a huge difference in temps. I can't understand how you can get the same exact temps from 1.7v as 1.9v on the desktop, unless your MHz is much higher. Heat comes from voltage and MHz, so you should either get higher MHz OC at the same temp, or lower temps if your voltageis lower and MHz the same. If the system cooling is the same, a Mobile XP2500+ @ 2.2GHz and 1.7v should run the same temp as a Desktop XP2500+ @ 2.2GHz and 1.7v. But drop the mobile to 1.6V and it has to run cooler, or system temps/air flow must have been changed.

Running a case open can greatly reduce airflow and increase temps. And a big fan while definately cooling things down, isn't a great idea for the long run, as it blows contaminents all over your system components. I only OC with my case closed, removing the side panel just to get a feel for the heatsink temps. Who knows, the huge box fan might give me 2.7GHz stable, but still wouldn't be of much value. I am already doubting 2.6GHz will be capable for me once Summer months come as my room temps will be 10 degrees higher than now. But 2.4GHz at 1.625v will work just fine then.



ABIT IS7, P4 2.6C, 512MB Corsair TwinX PC3200LL, Radeon 9800 Pro, Santa Cruz, TruePower 430watt

 

[pauldh]

Before I ever heard of a mobile XP2500+ a friend of mine showed me his mobile XP2400+ could run 2.3GHz. It wasn't until reading 2.7GHz possibilities for the XP2500+ that I decided I had to try a mobile chip. I think it is stepping and luck of the draw as on his system (NF7-S) his Mobile XP2500+ only hit 100MHz higher than the 2400+.


ABIT IS7, P4 2.6C, 512MB Corsair TwinX PC3200LL, Radeon 9800 Pro, Santa Cruz, TruePower 430watt

 

[phsstpok]

I thought about a mobile XP2500+ after seeing how many people were reaching 2.5 Ghz. I decided the extra 400 mhz (over my Tbred) wasn't worth the $98 (or whatever they cost now). Not just on speed, anyway.

What might make it worth it is that the mobile XPs are likely to be the last of the unlocked Socket A processors.

Luck of the draw? Maybe. There was that spell of Tbreds that were hitting 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 Ghz, a few weeks starting around week 0311 (I think). Afterwards, people seemed to have a much harder time hitting those high overclocks.


Durons were doing really nice for a while. The so called Applebred People seemed to be like Tbred B cores but now it seems they overclock more like Tbred A cores.

<b>[Edit]</b>
LOL!!! What the h*ll was I trying to say in that last paragraph??? It doesn't mean anything to me now. I can't even guess what I might have been thinking.

I'm confused and so am I - who said that?
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by phsstpok on 03/23/04 01:10 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[addiarmadar]

Well I can do either 200x11 or 205x11 with 1.55v and get 42. When I do about 1.7 and up thats when teh heat comes in. Maybe it is just a luck of the draw. Now whn I did mention these temp, that is my diode temp and not socket.

Mobile Barton 2500+ @ 2420mhz 11x220 1.7v
Asus A7N8X Dlx 440 FSB
1gb Geil GD pc3500 Dual Channel (2-3-3-6)
Segata 80gb SATA 8.5ms seek
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro(420/720)