CPU purchasing Dilema

[Oni]

What to do. I can go to a local PC hardware shop and get a 2.53 GHz C1 core (I read the SL code on the box it is C1 stepping) or for the same price I can order a 2.66 off the internet.
Both are about the same price, $300 + tax for 2.53 local, or about $310 shipped for the 2.66 off the net. Now I'm looking to overclock to the 3-3.2 GHz range and a B0 stepping 2.53 isn't going to break 3 GHz by much probably, which is why ordering one of those off the net probably isn't a viable option, pretty much everyone is still shipping B0 core 2.53s because stock must be insane.

Gosh I'm such a nerd sometimes, but then again arn't we all.

 

[Crashman]

I don't think the 2.66 would be a B0 stepping though...not certain however.

<font color=blue>You're posting in a forum with class. It may be third class, but it's still class!</font color=blue>

 

[halkebul]

You can get a <A HREF="http://www.atacom.com/program/atacom_new.cgi?cart_id=418701_24_125_112_206&USER_ID=www&PAGE=IP47_CPUX&ADV=CPU" target="_new">P4 2.4B with C1 stepping at atacom.com (make sure you get the one with C1 stepping in the product description) for $211</A> - potent overclocker.

<i>It's your world kid!!!</i>

 

[Oni]

I know that all 2.66 GHz CPUs are C1 stepping, but its a crap shoot to get a C1 2.53 off the net. And to get to the 3 GHz + range on a 2.4 would mean higher than 166 FSB which would mean a pretty damn high memory clock if a 3:4 ratio was maintained, but thats why I'm hessitant, my motherboard may not be able to go that high. I have an early Abit IT7 max and Corsair PC3500 ram rated for 2-7-3-3 @ 434 MHz and I can barely run 2-6-3-3 at 404 MHz and 2.8 ram voltage. 2.7 ram voltage and windows crashes.
The 2.53 C1 might have a high premium, but I should be able to get 158 FSB with 420 MHz ram for a minimum of 3 GHz, at which point if things ran alright I could continue climbing for higher FSB and ram bandwidth.
Then again with a 2.66 simply running the same FSB I am now with my 1.6a would yield 3 GHz. I already know my motherboard and ram can run at this setting so I'd have a better chance of actually getting this overclock to be successful.
Overclocking ARG! to many choices, not enough certainty

Gosh I'm such a nerd sometimes, but then again arn't we all.