Best bang for the Buck Core 2 Duo

[OPPAINTER]

Sorry for starting a new thread, I'm sure this has been answered in other threads, but O'Well

I want to know what core 2 duo chip is everyone buying for overclocking?
I'm talking air cooled and water cooled.

ALSO:

What motherboard is best that doesn't have to be modified? Both for SLI and Crossfire.

I'm doing a project and need to build some rigs that a "basic user" could build themself and overclock the Shirt out of.

Thanks,

OPP

[Absolute_0]

for air/water overclocking, I think the E6400 or E6600 with a P5B Deluxe is a good combination.

For SLI/CF you'd have to look into 975 boards, and when it comes to those i'd only consider the P5W64 and P5WDG2-WS-Pro. Think i got those names right... the expensive ASUS 975 boards that work extremely well and do 470 FSB.

[OPPAINTER]

So these are all Asus boards?
Are there no good boards from other mobo makers?

Thanks,

OPP

[TaPaKaH]

Are there no good boards from other mobo makers?

for Allendales - Gigabyte DS3
for Conroes - ASUS P5B Deluxe
for SLI/CF - ASUS P5W DH Deluxe / ASUS P5W64Ws

best CPU for aircooling - E6400
if you want a bit extreme OC - E6600
if you want a lot extreme OC - E6700/X6800

[bachus_anonym]

Most people around (including myself) has had a great luck with ASUS P5B Deluxe (965P chipset, no SLi but Crossfire works but somewhat slow in different scenarios compared to 975x) as they are constantly hitting 500MHz FSB, so great for those low-multi CPUs clocked on air. There is also Gigabyte DS3, which is cheap but many people kind of complain about it now...

For 975x, all what Absolute said... Best choices - P5W DH Deluxe and P5W64. Also, DFI has a 975x board and few guys here tested it, including Dumo and Kunaak. It seems OK, but ASUS boards are a bit better. There is also Intel's BadAxe, which was very popular before ASUS showed up with their boards. You might look at it as well, If you want.

But I personally, would stick with ASUS...

[OPPAINTER]

I've just thought of somthing. I have to choose a mobo that MicroCenter sells.
http://microcenter.com/byos/byos_sea...b081d2d8acb7eb

I see they have this Asus mobo P5WDH DLXWIFIAP.
http://microcenter.com/byos/byos_sin...duct_id=242765

Do you guys figuer this will be a good set up to work with?

OPP

[Absolute_0]

If it works, it's a solid board.

However I actually recommended the more expensive ASUS 975x boards because i had a P5WDH that died, and my friend had a P5WDH that died, and overall they seem to die more often than any other Conroe board.

[OPPAINTER]

If it works, it's a solid board.

However I actually recommended the more expensive ASUS 975x boards because i had a P5WDH that died, and my friend had a P5WDH that died, and overall they seem to die more often than any other Conroe board.

They just up and died?
What seemed to be the problem? BIOS corruption, blown components?

OPP

[OPPAINTER]

for air/water overclocking, I think the E6400 or E6600 with a P5B Deluxe is a good combination.

For SLI/CF you'd have to look into 975 boards, and when it comes to those i'd only consider the P5W64 and P5WDG2-WS-Pro. Think i got those names right... the expensive ASUS 975 boards that work extremely well and do 470 FSB.

Now, when it comes to the E6400 and the E6600, will I get the same MHz out of them or will the 6600 clock higher MHz?

EDIT: I just noticed the Cache, looks like the 6400 only has 2MB. Might have to go for the 6600.

OPP

[zakelwe]

Now, when it comes to the E6400 and the E6600, will I get the same MHz out of them or will the 6600 clock higher MHz?

EDIT: I just noticed the Cache, looks like the 6400 only has 2MB. Might have to go for the 6600.

OPP

]

Yeah, the 6300/6400 only have 2MB cache so that is a few percent. You have not mentioned what your project is, ie cooling and what total Mhz you want and also the $$ however of course the top X6800 has unlocked multi's upwards as well as downwards and probably gives a better chance of total Mhz then the lesser ones. Mine does 4Ghz 3dmark on good air.

Regards

Andy

[mds47]

e6400 + gigabyte-ds3 are the best bang for the buck if your budget is low (eg ~$1000) imo. Though, for a ~$200 more you can get a tits e6600 + p5b system. If you're hardcore into video/graphics though you'll want a P5W64 or DH, and the type of c2d doesnt make a whole lot of a difference.

--mds

[crspyjohn]

e6400 is the best bang for the buck. I had a e6300 and it was great for a low overclock like 2.8-3ghz under but the e6400 should be able to hit 3.5ghz for most.