E8200 or E8400

[beehew]

I've been looking at getting an Intel E8400 for a few weeks now after being convinced it's the way to go on this forum by an earlier question of mine. However, prices right now on the two CPU's:

E8400 $168

E8200 $100

So, I'm wondering if that extra 0.34GHZ is worth $68? I've looked at the benchmark comparisons between the two CPU's here on Tom's and for the games listed (which I've never played and don't plan to) the difference is like 4 FPS. Other tasks like iTunes is off by 10 seconds. Doesn't seem to be a big difference to me. I'll be using my computer for playing games like Fallout 3 and whatever else, but don't usually play the latest and greatest due to hardware constraints (I just upgraded from an ATI x800 Pro). I know the E8400 would be the better choice overall, but taking money into consideration, is it worth it? I'm sure I can safely overclock the E8200 to 3.0ghz. The $100 price on the E8200 looks too good to pass up. I don't know if I could find an E8400 with a similar price cut.

My system:
Asus P5Q Pro Turbo
4 GB OCz Fatal1ty DDR2 @ 1066
HD 4890 video card

As a last word, I'm not really under a time constraint as far as getting this thing put together. So if prices may go down dramatically on either of these over the next month, I can wait. Of course if I can't test my system before I submit my rebates, then if something doesn't work I'm screwed. Well, there's always going to the manufacturer but good luck...

 

[BadTrip]

it is incredibly easy to overclock the 8200 to 8400 speeds, simply by increasing the FSB.

 

[beehew]

Just to mix it up a little, the new 3.06ghz E7600 is $140. Has the lower 3MB of L2 cache, and 1066MHz frontside bus than the other two options.

 

[Guest]

Lets Compare !!

8200 has 8x multiplier, your asus has 1600 fsb

so as follows

8x400fsb=3200mhz (3.2Ghz)

You will be able to set the ram at 1066 using divider with this fsb, so everything will run at stock except the processor, and i do not think you will even need to up the voltage to reach this, my e7200 will do 3.2ghz on stock, heck even 3.4 on stock.

e8400 has 9x multiplier so as follows

9x400=3600mhz (3.6Ghz)

better overclock whilst leaving all the other components at stock, i think you will need a slight voltage bump to run the 8400 at 3.6, but only very small.

Taking it further, with good aftermarket cooler

e8200@475Fsb with 1.3625v (safe upper limit on Intel chips)

8x475=3800Mhz (3.8Ghz)

Easily obtainable on air with good cooler, you will need to bump up the NB voltage as well as the NB will now be running at 1900mhz, 400mhz over stock, but it should cope

e8400 @475 fsb 1.4-1.45v (Over safe limit by intel but safe as most people online who clock 45nm c2d)

9x475=4275Mhz (4.25Ghz)

once again you will need to bump up NB voltage.

memory will not be a correct divider to give 1066, but you get close, can even look at running your OCZ at 920mhz 4,4,4,12, it should cope with this.

All in All, It depends on your cooler and how much of an OC you want!

In my books though, the 8200 is the better deal being able to run at 3.2 without any other changes to stock system, and the ability to run up to 3.8 easily, 4.25 on e8400 is not gauranteed( 3.8 on 8200 is not a dead cert either but much more likely)

Better performance for the amount you spend, and think, how long will you realistically be using your rig before the next major upgrade!

 

[beehew]

What core does it use? Wolfdale?

Yeah, it's a Wolfdale

 

[Guest]

Edit: FSB will be 300mhz above stock at 1900mhz doh!!

 

[beehew]

Having never overclocked before, I wasn't planning on anything too extreme and likely nothing involving changing any voltage settings. If I got an anftermarket cooler it'd be the ARCTIC Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 92mm. Seems to be a well regarded piece. Even with the stock fan, I'd still use some Arctic Silver 5.

If I can get an E8400 for around $140, I think I'll do it. These changing prices are really killing me. I need to pull the trigger and get something so that I stop looking. It's driving me crazy.

 

[Guest]

Hey that is a good budget cooler for your build, ensure you place it in the correct position (exhausting towards rear fan for push pull effect),I have it on my 7200@3.8ghz and temps are good cpu1 37/cpu2 37, 55 at load 100%

Dont forget to price the cooler into your upgrade, it will make a difference to your overclock.

Dont worry about overclokcing, the asus board is really great at overclocking, and there is plenty of help out there to get it right, also unless you make a really silly mistake, it wont break anything, and will reset if you dial in the wrong values and restart at default settings without having to fiddle around with jumpers.

You can always IM me for more advice on overclocking the Asus Mobo as its the same as my mobo.

Best of luck, and go ahead make the jump before the upgrade becomes less viable, get the use of the speed whilst it counts.

 

[beehew]

Alright. It's done. I found an E8400 for $139 and that's with shipping. Next step: assemble my first computer! Whoo-hoo!!

 

[jonpaul37]

Grats! you'll like the E8400. If you get one that is E0-stepping as opposed to C0-stepping, you'll just have to increase the FSB on that ASUS board and call it a night. Just up it to 400 and you'll instantly be at 3.6 with no voltage increase at all... check my sig, happened to me, good luck!

 

[Mousemonkey]

i think you will need a slight voltage bump to run the 8400 at 3.6, but only very small.

Most people (myself included) have found that no voltage increase is required.

 

[beehew]

Grats! you'll like the E8400. If you get one that is E0-stepping as opposed to C0-stepping, you'll just have to increase the FSB on that ASUS board and call it a night. Just up it to 400 and you'll instantly be at 3.6 with no voltage increase at all... check my sig, happened to me, good luck!

Alright, and if it's C0 stepping, then what?

 

[Guest]

Fantastic, great choice, nice to see peeps have e8400 at 3.6 on stock volts, should be a breeze for you to overclock once built. best of luck and be sure to keep us updated!

@jonpaul37 and mousemonkey, what have you managed to get your e8400 up to under the top safe intel spec 1.36v and have you guys done any death runs to find max clock, would love to know am thinking of upgrading to this chip, it seems really good!

 

[Mousemonkey]

3.8ghz was @1.3?v I don't recall whether I was over or under 1.36v, but I do know that I need 1.45v to get a stable 4ghz.