and Fan, regarding multiplier, i forgot to mention abt "unlocked multipler"...
some CPU has their multiplier limit unlocked... for normal ones, u can only adjust the multipler to go lower in the BIOS... but for CPU with multiplier unlocked, u can adjust the number to any number u like (meaning it can go up as well)...
Intel call such CPU Extreme Edition, and comes in the form of the most expensive CPU in the product line... think Core i7 975 Extreme, 965 Extreme, Core 2 Extreme QX9750, QX9650, QX6800, QX6700, X6800, etc...
AMD call such CPU Black Edition, but unlike Intel, it comes in the form of both the most expensive and normal priced CPU... eg are Phenom II x4 965BE, 955BE, Phenom II x3 720BE (965BE replaces 955BE, and both exist together with 720BE), Phenom x4 9950BE, 9850BE, Athlon x2 5000+BE (same thing, 9950BE replaced 9850BE, and both exist together with 5000+)...
u ve more fun playing with such CPU, as instead of adjusting the FSB (Intel) or the HT (AMD), which can hit the ceiling pretty fast, u adjust the multiplier instead... i ve played with a Phenom II X3 720BE before... the default clock is 200x14=2800MHz... my max record was 3800MHz or x19...

the best thing is, i dun need to pay a hefty price for such a CPU, plus the added bonus of unlocking into a quaddie...

also almost bought a Athlon x2 5000+BE when i got the 5200+... but heck, they dun come with heatsinks at all, and back then my budget dun allow for a third party heatsink... so didn't go with it afterall... a bit regret though...
This post has been edited by astria: Nov 5 2009, 10:15 PM