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

How Is Breaking The 4 GHz Barrier Possible? Continued

The sSpec number is the best way to identify the Pentium D 805.

A CPU goes through many steps during the production process, which is why it also obtains a 2D-identification code.

To tell processors apart, each particular model is endowed with a special number. A version update isn't the only identifying characteristic when it comes to distinguishing among CPUs with the same processor name and clock speed, so CPUs may only be uniquely identified according to a group identifier, as with the sSpec numbers mentioned in the preceding table. Intel wants users to become familiar with these specification group numbers, which is why the company includes this information on the box the CPU is packed inside, as well as on the outside of the physical CPU device itself.

The last five symbols in the product code, which appear on the right side of the retail box, are how users can obtain the specification group number.

Because the 805 processor is labeled with the latest B0 core version but is identified only as a CPU with the specification number SL8ZH, anybody who wishes can obtain a processor that's functionally equivalent to the one we tested for this story. Naturally, this doesn't constitute a 100% guarantee that you'll be able to achieve the same exact overclocking speeds we did, of course...

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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.

  • 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