The Quest for 1GHz - Part 6
I would like say that running the CPU @ 1,002MHz with the optimal settings on, is just amazing. The benchmarks are very good considering that. #1. These were done using Windows ME (beta), which I find is a mixed bag right now. But what can we expect from a beta. I do think, though, that it will be a great OS when it comes out in September. And I needed to run it because this system is my server for my home, which brings me to number 2. If you looked very carefully at my system spec’s you would have realized that I have a “few” extra components in this system as compared to a stand alone PC. A phone modem, which I use for Fax’s only, 2 Network Interface Cards, 1 for my Cable Internet connection, which uses, of course, the Intel NIC, but I also have another NIC “ Intel LAN management adapter” for my home network. With these things running all the time, things can get out of hand really quickly if there are any problems with the system and they do tend to slow the system down a tad. Remember, what good is it to have a very fast system, with half your stuff disabled or turned off?
There is another benchmark that is not possible to post, and that is what I call the “Human” element. What I mean by this is this. When you work on enough of these things long enough, tweaking, overclocking, ect… You will start to notice where the optimal setting are for each system you build, even though some of the “standard” benchmarks say differently. Example, my back-up system, basically the same as this one, but with a Celeron 366MHz@ 550MHz + Loves to “run” at 550MHZ. It can run all day long at 575MHz or more, but it just “seems” to love 550MHz. Now, I know what some of you my be thinking, Tweak this, or tweak that… Believe me, I’ve tweaked everything under the sun on that thing and it just Love’s that speed, But I think most of you that do this day in and day out know what I’m talking about.J Such is the same on all the systems I have built over the years. I like building systems that “snap” to attention when you click on a file or surf the Internet. If you ever played Command and Conquer, you know, when you clicked on your little Army, and they responded immediately with “YES SIR” “RIGHT AWAY SIR” you know what I’m talking about, the system response like it’s got a purpose in life! J
Conclusion
Pro’s
Very inexpressive upgrade, about $120.00-$150.00
Most of them Overclock to 800MHz+ with no problems
Will work with most slot 1 (with Slocket adapter) 8.0 multiplier.
FC-PGA runs a lot cooler than the “older” PPGA Celeron’s
Intel’s advanced 0.18 micron CMOS process
Con’s
Half the L2 cache of its bigger brother, The Coppermine PIII, which hurts the performance slightly.
The bottom line is that this is a great CPU, a 470MHz plus overclock speed gain is nothing to balk at and the chip will probably end up being entered into the CPU hall of fame along side with the classical Celeron 300A ,Celeron 366MHz “PPGA”and others.J
