Thinking about getting an AMD Black Edition, question about multiplier.

[Vinny]

I'm thinking about upgrading my X2 3800+ (Windsor core, 89W) to a X2 5000+ Black Edition. I mainly want the Black Edition for the OCing (duh!) but I have no idea how multiplier plays into OCing.

My current X2 is running at 240x10 (2.4GHz) so I've never had to worry about the multiplier as I couldn't go past 10.

Can someone explain as to how an unlocked multiplier would effect an OC? I mean, I understand I can increase it to 11x, 12x, etc. to increase speed but does that effect stability? How do I know if it's better to run a lower FSB with a higher multiplier or vice versa?

[xycury]

I'm thinking about upgrading my X2 3800+ (Windsor core, 89W) to a X2 5000+ Black Edition. I mainly want the Black Edition for the OCing (duh!) but I have no idea how multiplier plays into OCing.

My current X2 is running at 240x10 (2.4GHz) so I've never had to worry about the multiplier as I couldn't go past 10.

Can someone explain as to how an unlocked multiplier would effect an OC? I mean, I understand I can increase it to 11x, 12x, etc. to increase speed but does that effect stability? How do I know if it's better to run a lower FSB with a higher multiplier or vice versa?

Testing mostly, and relying on your mainboard to be good and stable.

It's best if you find a mainboard forum and find out if anyone has used a BE.

I have the 5000 and got up to 11x running at 3.1. I can go 12x but so far haven't had the balls to do so yet.

the other way of changing is lowering the multiplyer and raising the FSB but that is more banking on that your memory and the board that drives your memory can handle it.

Increasing the multiplyer is a straight and forward way to overclock that only depends on cooling and your processor. Being the BE you should be able to get 3.2 or 12x, and only would depend on heat and cooling.

by raising the FSB, which can be tricky and can cause issues which require resetting the bios alot... gets tedious.... and you could easily waste alot of time trying to find that one setting that works.

BE is like overclocking for dummies because there isn't a gate stopping you from just raising the multiplyer which is the biggest bang for the buck to get out of an Athlon X2.

Certain 3800 X2 can get upto 2.8 which isn't bad but this is going the route of increasing the FSB and it's tied to memory which will help or hamper the OC.

[Vinny]

Thanks, that helps a lot.

From what you're telling me, it sounds like I shouldn't get it. My mobo is heavily crippled when it comes to OCing as I can't go above 1.95v on my DIMMs. So I don't think it would fare well with a BE. Damn, looks like I'll have to upgrade my mobo first.:-/