This a good CPU to overclock? (3.0C)

[nst6563]

I'll be ordering a new cpu in a few days, and was going to shoot for either a 2.8c or 3.0c P4. I had tossed around the idea of a prescott...but seeing the reports of the heat, and the on/off cycling it does just to keep running...I've decided not to put a turd in my machine.


I've been looking at this part# BX80532PG3000D and was wondering if anything can be known from this? It's around $225 (from a decent retailer like Monarch or Newegg). Is there any way to know what stepping it is? Which one is the best for OC (well, I know each cpu is different, but what has the "best chance")?


Or should I get a 2.8C for the $180's????
thanks for input.

 

[MontyAC]

The M0 stepping chips are supposely better overclockers. The 2.8c's could reach 3.4 to 3.6 on air, YMMV.

 

[Notorious]

Go for the 3.0C. The only thing holding my 3.0 back from clocking higher is my memory.

 

[paulmofyourhand]

ive had a handful of the 3.0's,

and most of them have hit 3.6ghz easily, with the right hardware of course,

ymmv

 

[nst6563]

If I can hit around 3.5-3.7 I'd be satisfied (for now). I could always upgrade the cooling later. For now, it would be on Air cooling (Vantec Aeroflow). Which, the hsf I have now works pretty good (except for the vibration the damned tmd fan creates).

Will Newegg verify a stepping for me if I called? If not, what company would?