E7500 or E8200 for gaming

[beehew]

I'm trying to decide which of these two CPU's to go with for my new rig:

Intel Core2 Duo E7500 Wolfdale 2.93GHz, 3MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115056&Tpk=e7500

or
Intel Core 2 Duo E8200 Wolfdale 2.66GHz, 6MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB,
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3574301&CatId=2396

So basically, I'm wondering- should I go with lower processor speed for increased L2 cache and bus speed.

My Motherboard is an ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131377

My video card is an HD 4890. I use my computer mainly for gaming and internet. I'm hoping this setup will last me for several years, so I'm trying to get the biggest bang for the buck. This price range ~$140 is pretty firm, but if anyone has any alternates to these two, I'd be fine with that. (like this one http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4555102&csid=_27)

Thanks!

 

[starams5]

Hi B

I would spend another $25.00 and slap an E8400 in there.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-ASUS/P5Q_PRO_TURBO.html

 

[gkay09]

^ +1 but as you are firm on the $140 mark, I would no doubt choose the E8200 over the E7500...You can easily OC that E8200 by just increasing the multiplier and it would run stock 3.0GHz no problem...And the games would benefit the extra cache...

 

[beehew]

If prices are likely to go down in the next few months, I can wait for the E8400 to come around.

 

[gkay09]

^ Then wait...

 

[hundredislandsboy]

wait for the e8400. you'll be glad you did.

 

[Malcolmk]

Why not get the AM3 X3 720 and a gigabyte 770T-UD3P for $50 less than the e8200. If your lucky you could unlock the forth core too.

 

[mi1ez]

^ +1 but as you are firm on the $140 mark, I would no doubt choose the E8200 over the E7500...You can easily OC that E8200 by just increasing the multiplier and it would run stock 3.0GHz no problem...And the games would benefit the extra cache...

You can only increase the multiplier on extreme edition chips!

 

[jdw_swb]

I have an E8200 paired with a P5k-SE Motherboard.

I have been running an OC of 3.2Ghz (400 x 8) for 15 months with no problems.

I probably could extend this OC to around 3.4 - 3.6, but I have not felt the need to.

 

[beehew]

Ah. looking at the prices of Intel vs. AMD I kind of wish I went with AMD. But with that motherboard, I'm locked in to Intel. Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[Taartje]

You might want to consider to buy a AMD/AM3 setup.

As Intel's socket 775's end is in sight, buying a AM3 motherboard with a Phenom II X3 7x0 would be a better choice.

 

[beehew]

Yes, but I've already bought the motherboard, which is the problem.

 

[AKM880]

You can only increase the multiplier on extreme edition chips!

Correct. You'll need to raise the FSB to overclock.

 

[megamanx00]

Well, you may want to consider going with a Phenom II 550 BE or 720BE and overclocking them.

Anyway of the two I would go with the E7500 for gaming. The reason being is that the low multiplier of the E8200 means you will need to use a really high FSB to max out that processor on overclocking so you are likely to be limited by your motherboard. On the other hand, the E7500 will not need such an insane FSB to get a good overclock out of it thanks to it's higher multiplier and lower starting FSB. Thus an overclocked E7500s extra clock speed would help it edge out an overclocked E8200 despite it's extra cache. If you want to stick with Intel a better choice would be to pay a little more for the E8400 and to overclock it.

 

[megamanx00]

Ah, I see you already bought the board. Well I guess that's a no go on the AMD option . Anyway take the E7500 or spend a little more to go with the E8400.

 

[AKM880]

+1 for the E8400. It overclocks great too.

 

[blackhawk1928]

Get an E8600, most poweful core 2 dou processor

 

[starams5]

Get an E8600, most poweful core 2 dou processor

I agree, but I think his budget is a little tight. We're having a time getting him to buy the E8400 but I think he is there. Like AKM880 said, the E8400 OC well, that would put $25.00 over budget. The E8600 would put him $130.00 over budget. You can try blackhawk192 but I don't think he will bite.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115054

 

[blackhawk1928]

Yeah I guess, E8600 is pretty expensive. E8400 is really good though, it would pretty much put him out of bottleneck anyway for a good time and he can overclock it so I guess e8400 would be best for him.

 

[beehew]

I think I'll go with the E8400, then. I'll just keep an eye out for sales or price decreases over the next month. Thanks to all that helped.

 

[beehew]

So, the E8200 has dropped in price to $100 (microcenter). Is the preformance increase in the E8400 enough to warrant paying the extra ~$60 - $70?