IDT WinChip 2 200 MHz processor

Advantages: Cheap
Disadvantages: Not cutting edge -

...As the name would suggest, IDT's market for the first incarnation of its processor was the low-cost Windows desktop PC, used primarily for word-processing, browsing and e-mail. This next generation chip has a little more power under its belt, however, with support for the MMX and 3DNow! additional instruction sets, from Intel and AMD respectively. Performance isn't really what IDT's all about, though. The point of the WinChip 2A is that it's cheap, allowing vendors of low-cost systems or set-top boxes to put together PCs that perform pretty well but don't cost the Earth. And if you're worried about compatibility, your fears would seem to be unjustified. IDT has arranged for the WinChip 2A to be tested by various bodies, including Microsoft, and it has plenty of seals of approval. Certainly we had no problems with it in our test PC... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Easy Overclock To 3200+ And So Cheap
Disadvantages: None

...Based on my experience the 2500+ is an easy overclock to 3200+ You need a motherboard capable of 200 Mhz FSB such as one based on the NForce2 chipset. I am using an ASUS A7N8X-X which costs circa £50 to £60 Simply choose 200 Mhz FSB instead of 166 Mhz FSB for rock solid performance. Keeps very cool (circa 50 degrees under full load, 43 degrees otherwise) and despite the overclock is very stable. All this with the standard OEM heatsink, no special cooling required. One advantage of the ASUS motherboard is that you can increase the FSB by 1Mhz increments. I have had this at 208 Mhz with no problems. The muliplier is of course locked on these chips. If you want an unlocked version go for the mobile 2500+ and you can get even higher speeds.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Good quality and good value for money- easily overclocked
Disadvantages: starts off slow and you have to overclock :D

...cache, 64K full-speed L2 cache Fully-pipelined, superscalar floating point engine 200MHz system bus Enhanced 3DNow! Instructions The Duron running at 800 MHz shows a great ability to pump out the frames in Quake III: Arena. Overclocked 200 MHz to 1 GHz it increases by about 20 frames/per second or a 14% increase. Right between them lies the Athlon Thunderbird 800 MHz processor, coming in at about 6% faster than the Duron. Well sorry if that was a bit longwinded... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful