Which Processor Zeus?! (and others =)

Mapmaking? Modeling? Discuss all that stuff that's too complicated for most mere mortals here.
Damnidge
1337 Haxor
Posts: 611
Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2005 12:00 am

I am looking at my options here. If you were in my position, with a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L mobo, 2GB OCZ Platinum DDR2, and prepared to overclock, WHICH CPU WOULD YOU GET:

Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 Conroe 1.8GHz 1MB L2 - $77.99 w/free shipping

http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cf ... =CA1938427

OR

Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 M0 Stepping Conroe 2.2GHz 2MB L2 - $125.00 w/free shipping

http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cf ... =CA1938256

Which processor is the better bang for my buck? Both are great deals, and with the anandtech marks for l2 cache and ut3 demo, I'm leaning toward the e4500, but want your opinion.

There is also the third option, which is to get a e6550 or e6750, but then will the bang-for-my-buck ratio be to the max? :tard: I know the quads are nice, but I don't think I am ready to pay $270 for a processor right now.
Cheers, Damnidge
d2frob
1337 Haxor
Posts: 338
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:00 pm

http://xtreview.com/addcomment-id-2766- ... cking.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/12/ ... page2.html

The cheaper option appears to be very good at overclocking but is dependent on the mobo you have. Have a read of the link..should mean more to you than me o.O
DW_ToxicWaste
Site Admin
Posts: 1060
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2005 12:00 am

If you can wait a couple of weeks, Penryn will be out. Hopefully the prices will drop on the Q6600.

This is an amazing chip. I'm currently testing it @ 3 GHz and have it slightly undervolted to save on the heat.

If you have good cooling, you can really make this chip dance.

Rich (TW)
* > Tommo
Damnidge
1337 Haxor
Posts: 611
Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2005 12:00 am

rob,

Thanks for the info. I had read the 2160 article before, but the 4500 one was new.

I do like the overclockability of the 2160 - in terms of price to power ratio for everyday computing it seems the no-brainer, but the anandtech's article about ut3 demo and cache size makes me want to be sure on my choice:

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3127&p=2

It shows a large gap between the 2160 cache size of 1mb and the 4500 cache size of 2mb. The difference between 2mb and 4mb is a bit closer.

I noticed the e6550 was 168 on ClubIT as well. So hard!
Cheers, Damnidge
Damnidge
1337 Haxor
Posts: 611
Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2005 12:00 am

How much is the q6600 going to drop in price though in the month of November? I am basically looking for the best deal, and trying to save money if possible. My main concern is I'm overclocking for the 1st time and don;t want to fry a 275 dollar chip. The other thing is how much will they go down? From what I am seeing they are not expected to drop too much. What price range do you think they'll drop too?
Cheers, Damnidge
DW_ToxicWaste
Site Admin
Posts: 1060
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2005 12:00 am

Actually, I stand corrected. You might not see any price drop at all.

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=9070

Looks like only the extreme edition Penryn will be launched on 11/12. The other clocks will be launched in Jan 08. No need for Intel to drop the price on Q6600.

Rich
* > Tommo
DW_e_aLpHa
DW Clan Member
Posts: 733
Joined: Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:00 pm

My vote goes for ...

Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 M0 Stepping Conroe 2.2GHz 2MB L2 - $125.00 w/free shipping


- I hope you get it together soon, You seem to be working smartly towards your final creation.. Take some pictures when doing so.. IT's so exiting building a machine, IMO the more you time you take to decide on every part, the better results you get, but this is the hardest part, specially if you just can't wait!! -- I know the feeling- have made 2 myself, with the help of some clan mates also(Thanks) - 1 with an FX-55 @ 3 ghz on air , my gamming box FX-57 @ 3.4 ghz on water. Even tho with my setup im stuck with DDR-400 ram, I don't regret my old choices, since it was built for UT2k4 and It totally eats it and spits it back - Any way It feels great to build your own toys! -

-- GL Captain--
..:: Sworn to a Secrecy ::..
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==||+ Beast Of Blood +||==
zeus
1337 Haxor
Posts: 965
Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 11:00 pm
Contact:

With anandtech's review about the L2 cache, I would go as high as you could. But, again, speed is king, so OC I think would provide you best price/performace.
Damnidge
1337 Haxor
Posts: 611
Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2005 12:00 am

Ok. So I was leaning toward the e4500 so I think I'll go with that one. If I get it and it doesn't cut if for me, then in 6 months or so I can look into the new quads, or a q6600 if they have gone down by then.

My final question is, could I do an "average" overclock of the the e4500 with the retail heatsink/fan? I'm not looking to be one of these dudes on the overclocking forums who want to get it to 3.7. I can live with an easy 3.0 or 3.2. My case will have three 120mm fans, two of which will be controlled manually by adjuster knob.

If not I'll pick up the arctic cooler 7 pro for 20 bucks.

The other thing I am thinking, seeing the early reports that ut3 will be more gpu dependent, is the money I save on the processor I can put into getting a 8800gts or 8800gt
Cheers, Damnidge
DW_ToxicWaste
Site Admin
Posts: 1060
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2005 12:00 am

If the HSF blows, no amount of case fans will help you. Go aftermarket.

Rich (TW)
* > Tommo
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