Is Megahertz (The freeware) accurate?

I'm asking simply because I was using it to test my cpu speed after a recent oc, I modified my fsb in the bios, booted up, and checked my speed in the amd s2k controller, and in the bios, both show the speed as 2.0 Ghz, however, whenever I run MegaHertz it shows the speed as 2.5 Ghz, Is this an accurate assumption on it;s part or a misconception? If it is true, is 2.5 Ghz a good overclock for this processor:? It runs stable enough. tested with toast.
Athlon XP Processor Model 8 (Thoroughbred) rev. B0
AMD Athlon XP 2200+

 

AMD XP 2200 Thoroughbred B has a default clock speed of 1800Mhz, a fsb of 133 and a 13.5 multi (133x13.5=1800). Assuming that you have a locked cpu then I presume that you have overclocked the cpu by way of raising the fsb.

When you say the bios is showing 2000Mhz do you mean on the post screen at boot. If so then I would say that what the bios is stating is correct.

However, this is easily checked manually from inside the bios. Please check your multi, as I said it will be 13.5. Then check your fsb and once you have this mulitply these 2 number as per above.

I have not used either MegaHertz or amd s2k controller. Useful progs that I use are ClockGen which is useful as it also gives the PCI and AGP bus speeds. CPUZ another excellent prog and finally Everest the last free version would work with your system and is also a top notch.

In respect of the o/c which you have acheived ie 200Mhz (if verified). Well o/cing a cpu is a very broad based subject. There are several aspects to take into account. The first being what kind of steppings does your cpu have. These steppings essentially define the quality of the silicone that was used. Good steppings can allow for massive o/cing. I recall the XP1700 being able to run at about 2300Mhz. Unfortunately, since o/cing is somewhat elaborate I will leave you with this link to get you going.

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=357682

One final aspect which comes with a work of caution. o/cing your cpu can cause damage to your system in many ways. Heat being one aspect to consider. Stability of the o/c being another. Also depending on your mobo and bios increasing the fsb will also raise the pci and agp buses and can cause hdd data corruption which occurs on the pci bus at about 37-38 (the default being 33). Assuming that your mobo does not have such a lock and assuming that your o/ced fsb is 148 (2000/13.5=148), then your pci bus will running at 37. I am of course assuming that your mobo runs 133fsb although it may be able to handle 166fsb with a 'divider' kicking in a the 152fsb area.

As per my sig my Asus A8V system is overclocked. The cpu's default clock speed is 2400Mhz but it is currently running at 2880Mhz and is Prime95 stable. Also it has not been necesary to raise the cpu's core volts to cope with this o/c. The cpu itself A64 SanDiego has CAB1E steppings which are very good and can handle 3.1Ghz with a vcore of 1.45v. However, I don't see much point in the trade off given that the cpu will generate a lot more heat.

Good Luck