New Build, Processor Question

[medamorg]

Well...

Today I went ahead and purchased most of the parts for my new build.

Gigabyte P35-DS3L
XFX 8800GT 256 MB
2 GB Crucial DDR 800 Ballistix
WD 320 GB 16MB Cache 3.0Gb/s
Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU

I have decided to wait a couple days to buy my processor. During that time I am comtemplating what I want to do... The reason I am waiting is I wanted to get a E2200 so I could get an 11x multiplier. I need to have the computer up and running before Dec 21st so I can't wait for that processor forever. I talked with Newegg and the may have them in tomorrow or Monday but.. it could be another week before they get them.

My question is this:

Should I wait for the E2200, buy a E2180 or.... just buy a E6850 and spend the extra money which would put me WAY over budget.

Any suggestions?

 

[mtyermom]

I'd say wait til monday to see if the 2200 comes in, if they don't come in then get the 2180.

 

[singingigo]

What about a 4xxx series? That would be halfway between the 2xxx and the 6850...or how about a 6550? I don't know the prices, but it might be worth looking into...

 

[nhobo]

E6750 = price / performance sweet spot

 

[LkS]

Can you overclock?

If your gonna get a core 2, dont get the E6850. Get an E6320 or E6420 and maybe get a zalman cooler. They have the same 4MB cache conroe core and with a decent P35 like that gigabyte you can OC it beyond 3Ghz very easily.

I got a 6420 @ 3.2 and it idles in the late teens to 20s and never leaves the 30s under load. Just buy a decent cooler and what you can achieve with overclocking will render more expensive CPUs irrelivant.

 

[medamorg]

I really don't want to go over my budget. My budget currently has about $125 left for the processor. I have been doing research on the E2180/E2200 for the past couple weeks and thats what I was pretty much set on buying because of the price. I figure if it gives me a year, its worth the $90 I spend on it. On the other hand, the E4500 doesn't look too bad either and keeps me just barely within my budget. How well do the E4500's OC? I really only want to reach 3.0Ghz to be happy. I see the E4500 has the 11x multiplier so it should be very easy to reach 3.0 Ghz from 2.2 Ghz if it OC's very well at all. I'd love to see a review that pits the E4500 against the E2180. Anyone know of one?

BTW, the E6750 doesn't look too bad but it puts me $50 over my budget and already has a pretty high FSB.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[singingigo]

Looking at a few sites, it's a mixed bag. Most seem to agree that the higher cache is nice, they both overclock well, plus with the 11x multi, the 4500 OC to 3.3 GHZ just fine. I say go for that!

 

[medamorg]

It's looking more and more like I am going to go with the E4500 instead of the E2200. Alot of the reviews I am reading though have me a bit concerned about the stock fan. Is it really that hard to put on a mobo? I have never had an intel fan that was as hard as some of the people are saying it is to put on.

If I need to go with a after market fan, I think I am going to go with this one. Any suggestions?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134