bang for the buck overclocking core 2 duo setup

[oqvist]

I have an opteron based system with 2x7800 GT which really is fast enough but it´s acting up.

So I am thinking of an 8800 GTX or R600 based system next and that would require a Core 2 Duo setup especially since I don´t play at more then 1366x768...

Currently such a computer is overkill but I would like not to have to worry for some years about next upgrade and Crysis, Bioshock, Alan Wake is on the corner not to say the system hog Vista...

Anyway all I need is DDR 2 memory (2 gig minimum), Core 2 DUO and proper mainboard suitable for overclocking with the new DX 10 cards. SLI is not a requirement as it feels now unless the SLI mainboards is better of course. I need at least 2 PCI slots free...

[FragTek]

Gigabyte DS3, E6300, and 2 gigs of D9 based memory should set you up nicely.

[SaFrOuT]

i would suggest the E6400 for only the higher mutli which means easier and higher overclocking away from the mobo's fsb limit

[Phosphate]

Take a good look at the E4300 when it gets released on Jan 21st. That could end up being the best 2 MB L2 Cache C2D until the e6300/E6400's get upgraded to 4 MB L2 caches and become known as E6320/E6420 respectively.

Ironically the E4300 has the highest multiplier of any 2 MB L2 cache C2D but costs the least.

I want to eventually pair it with a Bad Axe 2 because that 9x multiplier lets me run the faster 1066 strap....but I will run it on my DS3 at first.

The only thing the e4300 seems to give up is the Virtualization Technology the e6300/e6400 have.

[SaFrOuT]

E4300 si single core, go for dual core it is much better

[FragTek]

Agreed, dual core or bust.

[Dave DEF]

E4300 si single core, go for dual core it is much better

:stick:
sometimes it's better not to write anything if you don't know what you are talking about...

http://valid.x86-secret.com/cache/137179.png

does this look like single core?
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=122732

[FragTek]

What are the model numbers on the single cores then? I thought the 4xxx series were all going to be the single core lineup. The only single core Core Solo that I know of is the Yonah T1300 which of course is on the mobile side.

[oqvist]

Yes I am only interested in the dual core CPU:s.

I found a lot of bundles here any of these make sense?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=339

[Phosphate]

E4300 is dual core . It has the same multiplier as a e6600, but 800 FSB........but you aren't planning on running stock speed, you are overclocking right?

E2XXX is single core I believe.

[SaFrOuT]

:stick:
sometimes it's better not to write anything if you don't know what you are talking about...

http://valid.x86-secret.com/cache/137179.png

does this look like single core?
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=122732


Sorry for that

[stufkriller]

cant wait for e4300 :P especially perfect for the cheap asrock board ! :P it cant wait to pair it up with my 6800 and 1 gb drr ram !

but i would say that it isnt the choice for a high per system ! :) go with a 6600 and a 975 chipset board :)

[Marlowe]

The Asus P5N-E SLI is for only 1000 NOK or about 130 $ or so maby? Will let you keep the SLI and will overclock to 500 MHz FSB everybody I've seen has said. But if both of your cards have dual-slot coolers you will lose one of the two PCI slots. I have a pretty limited budget this time, and I'm considering this motherboard.

Good luck to you on your choice :)

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2894&p=2

[oqvist]

Is there any truth to the rumours about Asus mainboards having issues with the X-Fi?

Will look into that. Or is the Gigabyte DS3 equivalent to this mainboard?

[shifty803]

for overclocking on a budget, i would say go for the 6400 unless you have water, in which case a good 6300 chip would do as well. the reason is that for the same frequency, the 6300 is going to produce alot more heat, which your air probably wouldn't handle all that well. you guys agree?

[oqvist]

ok.

Well can as well mention my cooling. Stacker with 5 120 mm fans.

Ninja with semi noisy 120 mm fan attached and the rear exhaust is a real noisy 120 mm fan.

My opteron at 2,7 gigs don´t go above 42 at full load at 1,57V.

I do have the mainboard fan to the stacker to cool the maoinboard parts.

[dnottis]

I wouldnt go with the DS3, after countless issues. The Asus p5b line is much better... the -E is what I use, deluxe if you have the cash. The DS3 / D9 recommendation is prolly the worst setup as many people had issues with D9 clocking too high on the DS3 (over 450). Also, it tends to lose the OC on cold starts.... the P5B line and a 6300 would be better.

[Phosphate]

Only thing I wonder about regarding the E4300 is the reduced number of caps on the chip compared to the current e6300/e6400 (someone here mentioned that could reduce overclocking capability)

[Marlowe]

The difference between E4300/400 and the E6300/400 is that the E4xxx chips are 'native' Allendale designs, having 2MB L2 cache onboard. The E6300/400 have 4MB L2 cache on the chip, but 2 of those MBs are deactivated(defect?) so 2MB is availible. Someone please correct me if this is wrong.

I've read a theory that since the E4300/400 is low cost, they are not treated or made with the same quality as the "higher binned" E6600 and E6700 series, so they supposedly wont clock as good. We have after all not seen any E4300 chips over 3,5 GHz have we? Yeah that's okey of course but you know.. wanna have more ;)

Maby the E4300 will improve over time.. who knows. Me myself will probably also be getting a E6400 I presume.. although I really would like 4MB L2.. Sadly the E6420 and E6320 aren't expected before Q2 am I right? Please correct me there also if I'm wrong :)

Sorry for long post but I just won a round of poker with some buddies :D

Edit: Ok my bad, just saw the 3,65 GHz screenie. E4300 might be what I get instead after all ;)

[Phosphate]

The difference between E4300/400 and the E6300/400 is that the E4xxx chips are 'native' Allendale designs, having 2MB L2 cache onboard. The E6300/400 have 4MB L2 cache on the chip, but 2 of those MBs are deactivated(defect?) so 2MB is availible. Someone please correct me if this is wrong.

I've read a theory that since the E4300/400 is low cost, they are not treated or made with the same quality as the "higher binned" E6600 and E6700 series, so they supposedly wont clock as good. We have after all not seen any E4300 chips over 3,5 GHz have we? Yeah that's okey of course but you know.. wanna have more ;)

Maby the E4300 will improve over time.. who knows. Me myself will probably also be getting a E6400 I presume.. although I really would like 4MB L2.. Sadly the E6420 and E6320 aren't expected before Q2 am I right? Please correct me there also if I'm wrong :)

Sorry for long post but I just won a round of poker with some buddies :D

Edit: Ok my bad, just saw the 3,65 GHz screenie. E4300 might be what I get instead after all ;)

Yeah the "20" series with the 4 MB L2 won't be around until Q2. Those will be good reasons to have something like a p5B-deluxe. Actually Q6300s will be the best reason to have a high FSB mobo.

[Omastar]

E4300 si single core, go for dual core it is much better

Uh, dual core...kinda common knowledge. The only 'shortcoming' as opposed to the E63/6400 is the 800FSB as opposed to 1066FSB.

[Omastar]

I wouldnt go with the DS3, after countless issues. The Asus p5b line is much better... the -E is what I use, deluxe if you have the cash. The DS3 / D9 recommendation is prolly the worst setup as many people had issues with D9 clocking too high on the DS3 (over 450). Also, it tends to lose the OC on cold starts.... the P5B line and a 6300 would be better.

I agree wholeheartedly about the DS3 and D9 RAM combination. It's a BAD idea. You might go for a 650i board and E4300. The Asus 650i mobo has routinely reached 480-500FSB, and it'd make a great budget setup with an E4300, or if you want more bang for the buck, wait for Q6400 or 6300 and pick up an nForce 680i or ATI R600 mobo in Q2 2007, if you can wait that long. I'm looking forward to more budget minded quad cores, but I also wish Intel would move to monolithic quad cores in Q2 2007, for the Q6400s. :(

[Kriller]

Core 2 Duo says it all, haveto be Solo for singlecore.

[Blacklash]

I like the idea of an E4300 with a 650i, or an Asus 965 board.

[oqvist]

sorry for bumping an old thread but I managed to fix my computer by switching mainboard but now it acts up again!

Is it still an E4300 that is the deal? Is there several versions can you link to CPU/mainboard/mem combination that will work well for overclocking.

I am not benchmarking but playing very demanding games. I got an 8800 GTX already may at some time in the future add another.

[oqvist]

I failed miserably... It looks like I am getting this system now lol.

Core 2 duo X6800 L62446B9
Asus Striker Extreme
Gainward 8800 GTX (already got a leadtek 8800 GTX)
Team xtreem 6400 2X1 Gb

Any objections about this? the cpu did over 5 gig on cascade and over 4 on water so seems decent...

[p0tter]

How much are you getting the CPU for?

Id go quadcore if your dropping that much cash.

Or shop around for a good e6400/6600.

[oqvist]

approx 480 euro for the CPU...

quad core is getting more expensive and I am afraid I would need to buy yet another PSU. Have a Silverstone Zeus 850... The guy that I buy this from used the same so it´s sufficient for this setup anyway lol.

Original plan was E4300 and no SLI...

Also it´s primarily for gaming thus I am sceptic about quad cores...