Intel Celeron PPGA 400mhz
This processor didn't seem to garner the same attention as maybe the 300a or even the 366 Celeron, since quite frankly the 300a and the 366 had remarkable overclocking potential due to the multiplier factor coupled with bus speed options. It is RARE to get an Intel Celeron processor that wont overclock to some degree. If we all keep in mind that every extra mhz gained through overclocking is free power. . . . . but free to an extent. If you take the proper heat related precautions.
With the introduction of the newer motherboards like the BP6 and the BF6 that have "small" bus speed increments, these high multiplier CPU's are starting to really hit their sweet spot. Before these boards came out if it would run at 75mhz, try 83mhz bus. . . . . but if it did good at 83bus, the jump to 100mhz usually proved futile. In come the BP6 and BF6.
I picked up a couple of Celeron 400's at my local CPU guy here in Alaska, SpeedTech. Hehehe, the name is pretty reassuring if your an overclocker, or simply an over achiever:^)
Hardware in our neck of the woods is pretty scarce and if you CAN get your hands on it. . . . the old saying "it'll cost ya" rings true. Well, almost. . . . Danny and the crew over at SpeedNet have outpriced and outclassed everyone in Alaska when it comes to price/availability. I picked up each 400 for the paultry sum of $85.00 each. Now remember, you might be getting these babies for about $65.00 online somewhere, without shipping. Well, to be able to walk in to the store here in Alaska, pick one up off the shelf for that kinda money is pretty damn amazing. So before I put the SoapBox away, click the link to SpeedNet and see what they have over there and If you are IN ALASKA and your not shopping there, you seriously need to be smacked upside the melon.
First of all, the tech at SpeedNet had already advised me that he had tried overclocking these units already, and "shouldn't get my hopes up". Well, that's all fine and Dandy. . . but here at Hypothermia I have to see it for myself to believe it. I free up both my sockets in the ol' BP6 and stick these babies in and see what they'll do.
A quick word on the BP6
In case you didn't know these juicy little tidbits, the BP6 has the following Bus Speeds:
66, 72, 75, 78, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86,
87, 88, 89, 90, 91 (1/2 PCI)
92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 103, 104, 106, 108, 110 (1/3 PCI)
124, 133 (1/4 PCI)
Dual voltage settings, meaning each CPU can be set independantly of the other. Meaning while one may need 2.0v the other can be set at 2.3v if it's stubborn.
What would dual voltage be without dual Temperature Sensor diodes in each socket.
And lastly, this board enables mixed processors to work together since both processors are run at the higher multiplier of the two processors. Cool aint it.
The numbers
I wont even bother you with the "stock 400mhz" numbers. I didn't buy these bad boys to run them "stock". Although it is a nice consolation prize that, for the price, I got a great deal on a 400mhz unit.
6 x 75 and they fire right up at
default voltage. . . . run a few benchmarks. Why bother, lets hit 83bus and see how high
these babies will run stable at, THEN do some benchmarking. O.K. 6 x 83 and boot.
. . . 500mhz baby. . . wow, thats a little too easy. O.K. , crossin' the fingers,
lets go for 2.1v and 6 x 88 bus and Taa Daa. . . right in there at 528mhz. I can hardly
believe it. So I run a few benchmarks, and take few pics:
amazing. But let's not
stop here, we got some serious room left to grow. So leaving the voltage the same, lets
hit it again at 6 x 90bus and see if 540mhz is an option. I want you to remember as well,
with this setting the BUS speed is still at 1/2 so the HD speed can be at it's limit here.
Just letting you know, but there is a solution. Kinda. On to the numbers:
The solution I mentioned earlier is not as OBVIOUS as one might think. "IF" a CPU can handle the speed it is often easier on a systems hard drive and accessories to run at a 1/3 bus than at a HIGH 1/2 bus. This is also a limiting factor for AGP cards. Since the 1/3 bus speed option doesn't kick in until 92mhz on the BP6. . . let's hit it.
6 x 92bus and save the settings. . . . boot into windows, no problemo. Wow, I am seriously crapping here. 552mhz and all is well, then it locked up doing the benchmarking. . . oops. Lets give her a little "juice" and see what happens. 6 x 92 again, this time at 2.2v. . . solid baby, solid. I decide to quit screwing around and hit the big time. . . will these TWO CPU's do the 600 boogie????
CPU #1 didn't budge, it LOVED the 552 @ 2.2v but refused to go to 600mhz. Now when a CPU will boot Windows and then lock up, maybe a little voltage will help, or the temp is the culprit. But too many times do I hear the B.S. line " yeah, my CPU wouldn't even boot, I threw a bag of ice on it, and then it went to a Gig, NP. . . " and I wanna puke. If it wouldn't even POST, chances are that HEAT isn't the culprit. It hasn't even had the CHANCE to get hot.
CPU #2 is a whole different STORY. At 2.3v our little track star hit the big time 600mhz baby. . . think I'm just talking the talk?? Here the numbers:
Before the "why wont my CPU do XXXmhz" letters start flying in, remember. . . . the bus speed as well as the 1/3 PCI speed factor COMBINED with the luck of the draw are huge factors. I do have these very same CPU's in a seperate machine right now, CPU #1 ( the 552mhz one ) is in a BX6 r1 board humming along at 500mhz at default voltage.
My big winner being the 400 @ 600mhz at 2.3v is being given away in one of our contests this week, complete with SLOT #1 adapter card and Heatsink and Fan as well.
This particular review of the Celeron 400mhz, is not the "standard Hypothermia" flavor. I have simply foregone all the technical "18 bajillion transistors" stuff, for a flat out "What can we get this baby to do" review. In the future, we will do more extensive testing, MORE gaming related benchmarks and some serious, heating/cooling issues will be covered along with ALOT of overclocking info. Depending on feedback, we will cover "FAVORABLE" BIOS settings for optimum OVERCLOCKING!!!!
Hope to see you here, and as we always say " GET IN THE CONTEST, AND WIN SOME STUFF!!"
SPEEDNET best damn
prices in ALASKA!!!!!