http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=248207

For those wondering, the E7300 is a 45nm C2D based on the upcoming Wolfdale-3M core, a cut down version of Wolfdale core with 3MB of L2 cache instead of 6MB. The E7x00 series will effectively replace the E4x00 series in the sub $150 market. It is scheduled to be released some time in Q2 (April to June).

If the retail samples overclock as well as the ES, it would be a good alternative to the more expensive E8x00 C2Ds. The smaller L2 cache should only have a slight impact on overall performance, which I'm sure many people would overlook for a $50 - $100 saving.

Isn't 1.37V a fair whack for a 45nm Core 2?
Looks good though and you're right, a great budget enthusiast chip!

1.37V is not *that* bad, many E8400 chips need a similar voltage to reach 4GHz also. I think as long as you stay below 1.4V with a good HSF, you should be fine.

Something I forgot to mention in my earlier post is that it should be a pretty good chip at stock speeds too (I know this is THG but some people prefer not to overclock), stock performance would be similar to an E6750 but with a ~$50 lower pricetag.

He he, look at my stuff, I don't OC!
Although I have to admit, I've contacted someone about getting some big numbers out of my GTXs!
Retail E6xxx's are going to be knocking around for a while if the E7xxx & E8xxx's are available in big numbers anytime soon...
Perhaps the E8xxx 'shortage' is there for a reason...

Not bad. Not bad at all. If those CPU temps are right it is pretty cool for those speeds too.

LOL without trying to 'convert' you, let me just say that you are doing your pair of 8800GTXs a massive disservice by leaving your CPU at stock.

Damn if intel can sell that at a $120 dollars that would be a budget king I think. This should be an intresting april indeed phenoms and Wolfdales.

My biggest concern is that vendors will try to price gouge the crap out of it if it becomes popular like the E8400...

Hopefully by the time it is released Intel will have enough 45nm inventory to ensure price gouging is kept to a minimum.

Actually, according to Intel's site, as long as you stay below 1.3625v for the VID, you're fine.

This is a lot lower than the 1.5v VID for the 65nm C2D, also specified in Intel's site.

This one runs with a 1066 fsb and a 10x multi. Going to be one heck of a bang for buck cpu.

Ha ha yeah I have thought of that!
I very nearly pulled the trigger on a Phenom, but I'll wait until B3 (at least 2.6GHz is what I'm looking for) and see then

The question is can this CPU out perform an E6750 @ 4GHz as well? Maybe, maybe not we shall see.

I don't see why it shouldn't. The Q9300 (essentially a QC version of the E7x00) is slightly faster than the Q6600 per clock, despite the smaller cache, due to the architectural improvements in 45nm.

Any differences in performance would be minimal though, the most noticeable difference would be in the pricetag and power consumption.

A e7200 is about even at 2.5ghz compared to my cpu @ stock speeds of 2.66ghz. I have it at 3.6ghz for a few months tho, now

I have a question. I'd really like to upgrade from my E6300 @3.4 to one of these E7200 @4.0gzhz. What's the chance of me reaching that speed with a eVGA 680i SLI Rev. A1. My guess is that it's not very high, but maybe someone has experience overclocking Wolfdale on my board.

Stick with your cpu for awhile longer. It's still perfectly fine. I upgrade from an AMD X23800+ 2.0ghz x 2 to an e6750 @ 3.6ghz. Unless you're really itching to change, give it a try. I'm not totally sure about Nvidia chipsets you can always try it and find out. I like Intel because of the great overclocking capabilities.

Is $20 more for an e7300 really worth it over the current e7200? Its an extra .5 of a multiplier? I own an e7200 currently ive got it at 3.2ghz without breaking a sweat and only a minimal increase on the voltage...