A 4.1 GHz Dual Core at $130 - Can it be True?

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By Tom's Hardware News Team
published

The Right Chipset

Choosing the right chipset for this overclocking project is easy: all chipsets that support dual core processors command a FSB that runs at least at 200 MHz, which also means that any of them can support the Pentium D 805. We were able to successfully implement our overclocking project, in fact, using the following motherboards from Asus and Gigabyte:

  • Asus P5WD2-E Premium (Intel 975x)
  • Asus P5WD2-WS Premium (Intel 975x)
  • Asus P5WD2 Premium (Intel 955X)
  • Gigabyte G1975X Turbo (Intel 975X)
  • Gigabyte 8I955X Royal (Intel 955X)L/li>

Those who want to be very sure that this CPU will work in their chosen motherboards, to fulfil their overclocking dreams, should first examine closely the compatibility listings from the motherboard makers. We took a look at the three biggest retail motherboard vendors - Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI - to check them out. Here's what we learned.

For Asus there are no problems; many of their motherboards have supported this CPU for some time now.

The five latest models from Gigabyte have no problems with this CPU, either.

The situation with MSI is pretty grim. For many boards, the CPU has but recently been added, and for others the Pentium D 805 isn't supported.

Issues with MSI motherboards may very well stem from the vendor's decision to keep costs down, and to test its components and capabilities at memory speeds of only 200 MHz. Thus, using these motherboards at other speeds-especially higher ones - can lead to instability or even outright crashes.

Tom's Hardware News Team
Tom's Hardware News Team

Tom's Hardware's dedicated news crew consists of both freelancers and staff with decades of experience reporting on the latest developments in CPUs, GPUs, super computing, Raspberry Pis and more.

5 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Tnias
    I am quite interested in your post regarding the D 805. Considering that it is now available for around $60.00 (03/20/09), it still sounds like a steal. We just upgraded our Adobe CS2 software to the new CS4 Master Suite, which caused the need for a graphics card upgrade. We have an nVidia GeForce GTX 260, but haven't installed it because our computer is a HP Media Center PCm7350n computers each with a 2.8 GHz CPU on a ASUS P5LP-LE mobo. Your article seemed to imply that there is software available that might adjust the clock from inside windows and we are wondering if it can on that mobo or if we will have to get a different mobo. If so, we are wondering what might be our most cost effective but stable options. We are certainly going to need a new power supply for the GTX 260, which requires 525 Watts. We are looking at just putting in PC Power & Cooling’s, Silencer 610 EPS12V power supplyand letting it go at that, but we are also thinking about upgrading the CPU and mobo if necessary.

    Of course, we would like to keep the cost down as much as possible.

    We have no idea where the best bang for the buck will be. For us a stable system is more important than blazing speed. Thus, the HP's worked fine for what we originally got them for; it’s just that our graphics and video production software are forcing upgrades in speed and power.

    The D850 chip sounds incredible and the power supply we already have to get will handle overclocking that chip. It even sounds like that chip will work in the existing mobo if we can find a way to change the clock speed from inside windows instead of from the BIOS. HP BIOS does not allow adjusting the clock speed in the BIOS but can't BIOS just be changed as well; isn't it just an EPROM?

    Anyway, even if we opt for changing out the mobo for another case compatible Asus mobo, we still have to answer the question of which board and chip combination will give us the most stable service for the least cost.

    Any ideas that might help us plan the most appropriate upgrade and the least cost?
    Reply
  • amnotanoobie
    TniasAny ideas that might help us plan the most appropriate upgrade and the least cost?
    With the price of components that you need to make this run stable, and the amount of electricity that this would use, a cheap Core 2 and motherboard and DDR2 memory would cost you less in the long run.

    Example:

    Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200
    Kingston DDR2 2x2GB 800MHz
    Gigabyte G31M-ES2C

    This should cost less than $200.
    Reply
  • salh
    Sweg.
    Reply
  • smeezekitty
    4 year old thread!
    Reply
  • salh
    11206355 said:
    4 year old thread!

    no hate pl0x
    Reply