Intel 2.2 and 2.4

[wolf20]

So i finally put together the specs for my new pc. I planned to get a 2.2 Ghz P4, now that i look at the price of the 2.4 its just 1 dollar more!!!!

What the catch, why is the 2.4 so freaking cheap. Btw they are listed as:

Intel P4 2.20AGhz [2200Mhz] *Retail* 512K
and
Intel P4 2.40AGhz [2400Mhz] *Retail* 512K

What is the 'A' next to the processor speed.

Thanks
Wolf20

[Skull_Sword]

the a is for the fsb.. theres the p4 2.4ghz b 533fsb and im not sure what the p4 2.4ghz a's fsb is..and same goes for the 2.2ghz..just not sure wut the fsb is

[Midknyte]

A=400mhz fsb
B=533mhz fsb

[wolf20]

Thanks

[Sweeper]

I have a 2.4a which will run nicely at 2.8GHz 1.6v. That's a nice (400MHz) increase. I would choose the 2.4b though since it's running the 533FSB.

[MailAndre]

Why you buying a 400mhz bus p4 cpu, aren't they kind old now? btw I have a p4 2.2a.

[Giblet Plus!]

The only reason to get an "A" is increased headroom for overclocking. If you're not overclocking, don't think about getting an "A" Get the 533 fsb "B" instead. Often it's cheaper, too.

[causticVapor]

It depends. If you have a 667-capable board, then go for the 533-based CPUs. Remember that if you want to really raise the FSB high, get good-quality DDR400 to go with it.

Same thing with RDRAM boards. I don't think any 850E boards out right now have dividers for 667FSB ( ) but if you want to push for that, then get the latest stepping samsung PC1066 modules... not the PC4200 ones; I don't think they can get there yet.


If you want a milder O/C with guaranteed dividers on newer boards, then get a 400FSB CPU, as Giblet mentioned.

[wolf20]

The reason i was going to buy it was it was the only 1 listed in the shop. They don't have the B, so i guess i;m going to look around for a place that sells the B.

Btw i was planning on putting it on the P4S8X mobo? is that a good idea?

Thanks



Edit also what kind of a heat sink should i get for it and if i am assembling it myself, do i need anykind of thermal paste?

[Giblet Plus!]

The retail heatsink comes with a pad so you don't need paste. Most heatsinks you buy seperately come with a pad or paste. Paste is always better. If you want the best, buy Arctic Silver 3 or Nanotherm and use it instead.

Whether you should get the B or the A depends on if you want to overclock, and how much.

[wolf20]

I'm not really into overclocking so as mentioned above i think i will go for the B (if i can find it).

Thanks for the help