Unlocked AXP 2500+

[pickxx]

I know that for a while now AMD hasn't been shipping unlocked XP 2500+....how can i tell if its unlocked or not before buying....something about the serial number or something? someone claims to have one but i dont want to buy it and have it turning out to not be unlocked.
Thanx

 

[coylter]

New chips are locked...

Athlon 2700xp+ (oc: 3200xp+ with 200fsb) , Radeon 9800pro (oc: 410/360) , 1024mb pc3200 (5-3-3-2), Asus A7N8X-X

 

[Coyote]

Yes, the stepping codes would be a good indication of whether it's locked or not. From memory, it seems the very first locked Bartons started showing up in week 39 of 2003 (their date of production). By week 43 virtually all were locked.

The stepping codes of my locked Barton are:
AXDA2500 DKV4D2350517201382
AQZEA 0341 RPMW

Notice the second line, right after "AQZEA" you see "0341" this means year 2003 week 41. If you get one from 2003 before week 39 you should be assured that's it's not locked.

Have this person send you the stepping codes and go over here <A HREF="http://www.cpudatabase.com/CPUdb/" target="_new">http://www.cpudatabase.com/CPUdb/</A> and see what others have been able to achieve as far as an OC for that particular chip.

BUT!! why not just buy a Mobile Barton, which you can be sure is unlocked and will overclock well. They look identical to a regular Barton, have an unlocked multi, use less vcore (voltage), run cooler and overclock like a mofo. I got my Mobile barton 2600+ for $110. The 2500 and 2400 are cheaper if $110 is too much. You can also get guarenteed steppings at excaliberpc.com

Mobile XP 2600+ (11X200)
Abit NF7-S v 2.0
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB Corsair Twinx 3200LL
BBA 9800 Pro
Enermax Noisetaker 420 watts
Win98SE

 

[pickxx]

thanx, thats what i was looking for. this guy is giving me a great deal because he is upgrading himself and i am taking his old chip.
I really want a A64....is moble the way to go on that? and if so what Mobo is best for overclocking? i dont need a lot of the features some of the high end boards....just something that has 4-5PCI slots, an agp slot, 4slots for RAM would be nice but 3 will do i guess (even though from what i hear you arn't supposed to use the 3rd slot with a A64 for some reason)....i am not using anything too high end just looking to increase my piddly 1700+ 512 RAM computer.
THanx