1. Will I be able to run the high end games, like Crysis, without OCing? The Crysis requirements say 2.2 or better.
2. I can afford the E2200 if anybody if anybody has any comments on that. And if I stick with the GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L for my MB and run a stock fan for awhile I can free up that money toward and even better CPU in the 4000 series.
I will be running the GeForce 8800GT 512MB, with Kingston HyperX 2GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400). I haven't decided on the MB yet but at least it's down to 2 options. GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L or the ASUS P5K-E.
I do want to stay on budget but if I can't run good games with the E2160 or E2200 not clocked, I'll consider the 4000. I am partial to the ASUS P5K-E so I'd be giving that up to.
3. I can save a bit on the 8800GT 256MB but not enough to make it worth it (IMO) I think that's it. I'll be ordering in the next few weeks.
1. Your're below the minimum, but I would wager it would still run fine since crysis is massively GPU limited. An overclock would help though, and these chips are begging for it.
[Edit] You're not below the minimum ... the 2.2GHz minimum is for a single core variant of the core2 chips - you'd be dual core and thus fine.
2. E2200 vs E2160 ... only difference is the multiplier (11 vs 9). I'd stick with the 2160 and invest the money saved between the two into a good heatsink to help with a good overclock.
Either motherboard will do the job well enough, but i think (and could be mistaken) that the Asus is meant to be the better choice for overclocking.
3. Stick with the 512mb version.
Message edited by coret on 01-24-2008 at 05:41:07 PM
The limiting factor on Crysis is going to be that 8800 GT.
That chip OCs rediculously easy though. All P35s support 333 MHz Bus, so yours is 200. OCing to 266x9 would give you 2.4 GHz and is probably doable before you even install Windows (not that I would though).
Either board you get, you will have OCing support from the OC section of the forums. Pick the one that best suits you and your price range. Looking at that Gigayte... it only has 4 phase power modulation. It would be fine for the dual core but might struggle when/if you drop a quad into it in the future. It is also ATX12V, I prefer EPS12V for more power stability these days (this also means your PSU needs an 8 Pin CPU Power Connector).
You won't regret it either way. To me Asus are a bit easier to OC than Gigabytes as well.
I've used the DS3l and think its a solid board. I'd spend the extra couple bucks for the e2200. I've been think of getting this myself. They are likely binned higher than the e2160, and the higher multiplier means you can OC higher with lower fsb. This means you will very likely OC the e2200 higher than a e2160. You should be able to OC the e2200 to 3ghz with the stock cooler. And with a good cooler like the U120X, you could get 3.6ghz.
I've used the DS3l and think its a solid board. I'd spend the extra couple bucks for the e2200. I've been think of getting this myself. They are likely binned higher than the e2160, and the higher multiplier means you can OC higher with lower fsb. This means you will very likely OC the e2200 higher than a e2160. You should be able to OC the e2200 to 3ghz with the stock cooler. And with a good cooler like the U120X, you could get 3.6ghz.
Speaking from experience on the E2200 obviously, not rampant speculation.
Any comments on the 4000 series possibility? It seems like a big increase in stock performance at a reasonable price. But I don't know, all my reading has been on MB lately but I just started thinking about shedding some cash to use on the Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Allendale. Let me know what you think.
If it's not worth it, hey I won't bother. The more I read the more I can justify spending more money. If I wait a month I might be able to get into the 6000 series. So comment on that and I'll be able to make a decision today or tomorrow. Party!
I've used the DS3l and think its a solid board. I'd spend the extra couple bucks for the e2200. I've been think of getting this myself. They are likely binned higher than the e2160, and the higher multiplier means you can OC higher with lower fsb. This means you will very likely OC the e2200 higher than a e2160. You should be able to OC the e2200 to 3ghz with the stock cooler. And with a good cooler like the U120X, you could get 3.6ghz.
You could get 3.6 GHz. You might get a bum chip and get 3.0 GHz. Either way I think a higher FSB = more performance in general so I go with lower multis. In addition to this.. the 65nm process has gotten so nuts the binning almost doesn't matter anymore. Most E2160s could bin as E2200s. We already talked about the E2180 issue and how it's odd the 2160 seems to OC better on average. I just don't see the reason to spend more money when the same OCs are achievable (within 100-200 MHz). Such as.. why would I have gotten a Q6700 at an extra $200 when it would OC to the same relative point as my Q6600 on air.
Anyways.. The E4x00 series offers 3-5% improvement clock for clock over the E2xx0 series. I don't think it's worth it if you are willing to overclock.
You had a budget, stick to it. P5K-E and an E2160 will go great together.
The E6600 was bought in quantities of 1000 when it was released. It was released at a higher price than the E6550. The E6550 was released recently as a G0 stepping and the tray price as much lower.
If a retailer drops the price on the E6600 they will lose money if they sell it below cost. They would rather hold stock than sell below cost as eventually people will buy them.
Also, Don't be afraid to OC.
You can do it very safely.
Especially if you use a modest OC.
Examle - Set your Memory Ratio to 1:1 on the E2160 and bump the FSB from 200 to 333. You Motherboard will be working at rated speeds, your RAM a little under and your CPU will be running at 3.0Ghz which is far from pushing that chip.
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its not good theory.
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