Did a search on the forum and there wasn't anything about OC'ing the e2180, but it seems everyone loves the e2160.

There is only a $10-$15 difference from what I've seen....and I was wondering if the e2180 would outlast a e2160 - assuming same OC'd speed - because it is a native 2ghz versus 1.8ghz?

Any particular reason why everyone likes the e2160? Thoughts/comments are appreciated!

I have the e2180 & o/c'ed it to 3.2 on air easily. I bought it cuz it has a higher multi & is M0 stepping (high temp tolerance). The problem was my crap ocz crap. I would o/c it higher, but I like challenges (o/cing AM2).

The real gem is on Dec 3 - the e2200. 2.2Ghz and 11x. And if you are REALLY patinet, in about 6 months or so, the final one - the e2220. 2.4Ghz.

What's special about this is that it's essentially:
Northwood 2.4/533 with twice the bus speed. Times TWO. It's like running an old Xeon dual CPU setup at 2x the normal speed, or close to it.(ie - exactly 4x the speed of a 2.4 Northwood) For $100??? Ouch.

Then it has a 12x M0 stepping... (puts jaw back up and stops drooling). An AMD killer if there ever was one. OC it to 3.2Ghz on air(only FSB 266!) with the stock cooler and voltages or get silly and go for 4ghz. $100 and it's like you stuck four overclocked Northwoods in one chip and then lit a fire under it to get it moving.(evil grin)

Whooaa that is intense.

I really don't want to wait that long though since I really want a gaming system that I can OC now!

I can always buy the new CPU when it comes out, and then shuffle the old cpu with a new mobo into my old computer...and on it goes.

Thanks for the info Plekto.

Very interesting Plekto! Thanks for that tidbit.

I'd still wait for the 2200(Dec 3) - because it's going to overclock very well I bet. 6 weeks - not a huge wait, IMO.

The e2160 is now below $80 and if you are not strapped for cash, buy it and trade up later. I have just ordered a low cost system and plan to upgrade next year to the q6600 or to the e2200, depending on the price.

You do not have to change the MB or the memory to affect an upgrade, so it's just a processor change. As far as a CPU cooler, for OCing the e2160 to 3 -3.2GHz, you do not need a custom one. Don't know about the e2200, however the q6600 will require one.

Here is what I ordered and prices. Mostly thru ClubIT or NewEgg. Did not need monitor, OS, or HDD and had a few other drives laying around.

PSU:

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX - $89.95 - $69.95 after $20MIR

Motherboard:

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA775 Intel - $98.99

Memory:

OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 - $79.99 - $44.99 after MIR

CPU:

Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 - $77.99

Case:

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower - $64.99 - $20MIR

DVD Burner:

Samsung 20X SATA DVDRW - $29.99

Video Card:

SAPPHIRE 100176L Radeon X1950PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 - $134.99

Great info - appreciated