AMD K6-2/450MHz and 2.4v - overclocking

[otheos]

and the 2.2V chip is the same whether it says 400, 450 or 500 on it.

[deep_sky]

i second what alpha says. i too have the 2.4V version of the k6-2 450 and i cannot get it to run stable at 500.i also have a lousy mobo so that might be it as well.

the .2V difference means that the 2.4V version gets hotter and that is what prevents oc'ing it for the most part. the more volts you push the more resistance from the circuits it runs through, and thus more heat. the 2.2V are somewhat more oc'able but not all that much...if you cannot change the chip you are getting, you might as well not overclock it because 475 is not all that much different from 450...

[richamies]

Deep_sky - from what I've heard and seen about 2.2v chips, the later versions are incredibly overclockable.

But the 2.4v chips on a whole don't seem to fare as well.

[alan]

i got the 2.2v 450 and hits 500 at 2.4 quite well i have also got a second near identical machine for the kids but with the 2.4 chip it does do 500 but almost always falls over when it gets used intensivly 3d games and such
alan http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

[rh71]

I've ordered parts for building a new system and was told the chip is going to be a 2.4v K6-2/450MHz, as opposed to the 2.2v. Can someone explain what the difference is? Does it have anything to do with overclockability? I plan to clock it to 500MHz after a month of use @ 450MHz.

Thanks for the help.

[alpha]

It means you'll have difficulty hitting more than 475mhz. The 450 2,4 is essentially a maxed out 400.

[Anton Rohan]

Hello,

2 days ago build an AMD K6 III 400 with core at 2.4v and could only o/c to 450. I have tried increasing the core up to 3.1, increasing the FSB and increaseing the clock muliplier and all different combinations. I also have a K6 II 500 2.2 O/c to 600 easily and working very stable. If i were you I would go with K6 II 500 2.2. Beware K6 II 500 also comes in 2.4.

[deep_sky]

NEVER push a 2.4 (or a 2.2 for that matter) to 3 or more volts!!! that could kill the chip real quick and then you would have a really cool key chain ornament. 2.7V is a good cutoff point for voltages. if you cannot get the system stable at whatever mhz and 2.7V, then forget it and drop down some. you'll save some overall life on your processor

check this link out for more info on overclocking:
http://www.tweak3d.net/articles/howtooc1

it gives you some technical information as to what oc'ing does to your chip....

[RobRich]

I would go one step further, and say never push a 2.4v k6-2 more than 2.7v without excellent cooling. I'm currently using a n OEM k6-2 450 (2.4v), and here is my o/c'ing experience:

475 (95*5) @ 2.5v
500 (100*5) @ 2.7v
523 (95*5.5) @ 2.9v

At high voltages, these chips can easily exceed the wattage dissapation of many heatsink/fan combos. I use an extremely oversized socket7 heatsink with two 4" case fans attached directly to it for my cooling. I've also lapped the heatsink, plus slightly lapped and polished the cpu. Good heatsink compound is a must, and make sure to apply it evenly and thin. Good Luck! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[rh71]

Dumb question: Sorta inexperienced when it comes to installing the cpu/heatsink stuff... that thermal grease people refer to... do I have to go out and get that on my own? Does it merge the 2 components onto the processor permanently for better cooling? I don't recall if there is anything between the 2 components with my current system that I put together 6 months ago. I wonder if it was just something in between for cushioning.

See I don't have the merchandise in hand yet... being delivered sometime today or tomorrow.

[RobRich]

Heatsink compound acts as a buffer, it fills the voids and cracks between the hs and cpu. Even with an extremely flat cpu and hs, small gaps will exist that don't evenly dissipate heat. Wait till you get your setup to determine if you will need any compound, since it is often included with many heatsinks. If not (and you live in the US), just drop by Radio Shack and ask for thermal compound. It's about $2, and it works realatively well.

If your heatsink comes with a thermal pad (a small rubber looking piece), I would recommend detaching the pad and using the compound. The thermal pad works, but it doesn't have anywhere the heat dissiapation qualities of thermal grease.

[This message has been edited by RobRich (edited 01-27-2000).]

[rh71]

Exactly the answer I was looking for. I believe I had the thermal pad and am still using it in my K6-2/350@400 (2.2v) system.

Good to know for this new system.. THanks to you and everyone else for the informative responses. Feel free to keep any other opinions coming.

By the way, Transcendpc said they'd be happy to get me what I wanted, in the case that it is actually the 2.4v and not 2.2v.

[This message has been edited by rh71 (edited 01-27-2000).]