Re: Which Intel CPUs should I get?

"Ant" <> wrote in message
news: m...
> Hello all.
>
> I am planning to upgrade my computer again next month. I am at a loss on
> which Intel Core 2 Duo CPU to get since there are so many models:
>
> E7300 (2.66 ghz 1066 fsb) = $135
> E7400 (2.8 ghz 1066 fsb) = $155
> E8200 (2.66 ghz 1333 fsb) = $175
> E8400 (3.0ghz 1333 fsb) = $190
> E8500 (3.16ghz 1333 fsb) - $205
> Q6600 (2.4 ghz 1066 fsb) = $200
> Q8200 (2.33 ghz 1333 fsb) = $210
>
> I am planning to have 2 GB of RAM, ATI Radeon HD 4850(most likely)/4870
> (all details cranked up at 1280x1024 resolution), use Windows XP Pro. SP3
> (screw Vista and its DirectX 10+), etc.
>
> Thank you in advance.

the 6mb cache makes the 8 series between 10 and 20 % quicker than the 7
series.
those wolfdales run cool and use little juice so they overclock very easily.
my 7300 overclocks from 1066fsb to 1333fsb = 3.17ghz with just 0.5v and runs
great.
paired with a 8800GT I can run Crysis at 1440x900 at High settings. I
struggle at 1680x1050 a *little*
but that'll be the graphics card.

If you don't oc then I'd go with the 8400. No need for quad core - no games
really need a quad though I
do recall an article that said the Dunia engine used in Far Cry 2 utilizes 4
cores - heck very few game engines
make proper balanced use of just 2 cores!

"Ant" <> wrote in message
news: m...
> On 11/25/2008 1:53 AM PT, Sleepy typed:
>
>>> I am planning to upgrade my computer again next month. I am at a loss on
>>> which Intel Core 2 Duo CPU to get since there are so many models:
>>>
>>> E7300 (2.66 ghz 1066 fsb) = $135
>>> E7400 (2.8 ghz 1066 fsb) = $155
>>> E8200 (2.66 ghz 1333 fsb) = $175
>>> E8400 (3.0ghz 1333 fsb) = $190
>>> E8500 (3.16ghz 1333 fsb) - $205
>>> Q6600 (2.4 ghz 1066 fsb) = $200
>>> Q8200 (2.33 ghz 1333 fsb) = $210
>>>
>>> I am planning to have 2 GB of RAM, ATI Radeon HD 4850(most likely)/4870
>>> (all details cranked up at 1280x1024 resolution), use Windows XP Pro.
>>> SP3 (screw Vista and its DirectX 10+), etc.
>>>
>>> Thank you in advance.
>>
>> the 6mb cache makes the 8 series between 10 and 20 % quicker than the 7
>> series.
>> those wolfdales run cool and use little juice so they overclock very
>> easily.
>> my 7300 overclocks from 1066fsb to 1333fsb = 3.17ghz with just 0.5v and
>> runs great.
>> paired with a 8800GT I can run Crysis at 1440x900 at High settings. I
>> struggle at 1680x1050 a *little*
>> but that'll be the graphics card.
>>
>> If you don't oc then I'd go with the 8400. No need for quad core - no
>> games really need a quad though I
>> do recall an article that said the Dunia engine used in Far Cry 2
>> utilizes 4 cores - heck very few game engines
>> make proper balanced use of just 2 cores!
>
> How about E8500 over E8400? Not that much different for 15 bucks? OK,
> current games don't really use quad core then. How about future games like
> within 2-3 years?

surely you can do the math for yourself ! $15 between the 8200 and 8400 but
a
decent speed differance - not the same gain going to a 8500. you reach a
point where
you splash out money for very little gain.
as for 2 or 3 years - it isn't worth thinking about.
with PCs you're lucky if the kit you buy today looks good in 18 months !