Whats the best core two duo?

[fraya713]

I am using the P5n32-Sli SE Deluxe Gaming mobo and wanted to update the processor. currently, i am using an e6600, what is the best core two duo available?

thanks for the help :D :toast:

[panchoman]

really depends on what perspective you're looking at. are you looking for speed, overclockability, price, etc.

[tzitzibp]

well, it depends on your proccecing needs andd budget....
firstly, you should check the Asus site for bios updates to support the new 45nm proccecors, and if there is one available go for an e8400. I believe is the best deal...

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

e8500 if ur board supports it.

[erocker]

_FBi;743832']e8500 if ur board supports it.

+1, though if your board doesn't support 45nm chips, the E6850 is the 65nm dual-core king.:)

[ShadowFold]

You pretty much have the best since your board only supports 1066FSB.

[fraya713]

so updating my processor wont help at all? i am looking for speed and overclockability..

even if i decided to upgrade to a 3 ghz processor it wont help?

[GameSinewPCs]

Aftermarket cooler/ OC the processor you have.

[erocker]

After looking at your specs, I would be more concerned with upgrading your memory and video card first. Especially if you use your computer for gaming.

[Tatty_One]

You pretty much have the best since your board only supports 1066FSB.

The board supports 1333FSB therefore go with the E6850.....I had both the board and the chip, got it to exceed 4.2gig stable.

[fraya713]

already bought some crutial ballistix 2x 2g today :).. working on my graphics card, but overall it does pretty good considering

[fraya713]

The board supports 1333FSB therefore go with the E6850.....I had both the board and the chip, got it to exceed 4.2gig stable.



ooo pls enlighten on this! i would love to hit 4.2 gig stable :D

i already have the zalman 9500 cooler so my temps are good

[Tatty_One]

ooo pls enlighten on this! i would love to hit 4.2 gig stable :D

i already have the zalman 9500 cooler so my temps are good


My bad, was looking at another board with similar name which was the one I owned, shadow is right, no support for 1333fsb :o so your choices are to improve your memory/graphics IMO, what can you overclock that E6600 to?

[fraya713]

at the moment i can overclock it to 2.9 ghz, once i get better ram i'm hoping to get a bit more out of it, i've heard it can be overclocked to 3.6, but not positive

[Tatty_One]

at the moment i can overclock it to 2.9 ghz, once i get better ram i'm hoping to get a bit more out of it, i've heard it can be overclocked to 3.6, but not positive

Depends on the batch and how astute you are! I had one that I benched at 3.9Gig stable and ran it at 3.8gig 24/7 on good quality air cooling but of course they differ batch to batch, what is the ViD of the chip?

[fraya713]

what do you mean by vid, im still a noob to overclocking :P

[erocker]

Then I wouldn't worry about 4.2 yet. Not for "noobs" as you like to say. 6850's are some really nice chips though a better chip will make OC a little easier on yourself and the rest of your hardware. I seriously think you'd see a much more notable difference in games if you get yourself a new 8800GTS 512mb card. Sure a new processor will help, but a new card will jump out at you in terms of a performance increase. After the fact, if you're still not happy, then get a new processor. Just a suggestion:toast:

[fraya713]

ok, just figured it out :P. core temp says 1.2750v

[alexp999]

You might need to adjust some settings in the bios that can hold an Oc back on that processor. I know I had to for mine. I'm running my E6600 @ 3.24Ghz with a 360FSB. And I had to up the vcore +3% on my mobo, which equates to 1.38v. Normal is 1.35v. But with speedstep and/or C1E (enhanced halt state) on, when the cpu is idle, the voltage is automatically dropped to conserve power. Mine is on 1.22v atm. In other words core temp is showing the idle voltage. But the bios should tell you what the load voltage is (should be about 1.35v.)

I find the best thing to do here, to get everyone to help you pushing your chip a bit further (its what I did), is to go through your bios and write everything down to do with CPU/RAM,etc. (usually everything in the advanced menu ;) ). Then we can look through and give you an idea of the best settings to try.

[fraya713]

sounds good, once i get my new ram, i will keep you guys posted :) . i'm really hoping for 3.6 gig but i know... its a stretch

[gOJDO]

If I was you I was going to OC the CPU. You can expect 3.2GHz ~ 3.8GHz 24/7 stable from an E6600. There are a lot of guides about Core2 OC-ing and we are also here to help.

Like others already said, if you use your PC for gaming you better invest in a good graphics card and more(and maybe faster) RAM.

[alexp999]

sounds good, once i get my new ram, i will keep you guys posted :) . i'm really hoping for 3.6 gig but i know... its a stretch

The CPU should be easily capable but it depends on the mobo. I'm pretty sure that mobo can handle it.

The e6600 is easily the best cpu for a 1066FSB mobo. I could go higher but I really dont have the time to sit and fiddle with voltages and settings all day to get mine any higher.

But if your willing to, once you get those settings posted up. I'm sure everyone here will help you get upto 400FSB.

Not sure about the 9500 cooler though (depends on case airflow), you might have to OC in increments and check load temp each time. What are your temps atm (load/idle)?

[fraya713]

about 40c idle, 65c load, i havent set the speed of the fans though, currently using an antec 900 case

[tzitzibp]

I think this is a good time to start a poll...

1. cpu upgrade
2. gfx upgrade
3. mem upgrade
4. gfx + mem

just a suggestion....

[alexp999]

I think this is a good time to start a poll...

1. cpu upgrade
2. gfx upgrade
3. mem upgrade
4. gfx + mem

just a suggestion....

I'd say number 4. The OP isnt going to gain much by upgrading the CPU.

@ fraya

When do you see 65*C load temps?? Orthos?? And are they the CPu temp or the core temps?

[Bjorn_Of_Iceland]

Im guessing youll reach at about 3.9ghz on the P5N32-SLI with the E6850 on air.. My Striker Extreme's most stable with the proc was at about that range. And that was with unlinked memory settings.. mems were locked @ 800 C4.. and I was using cheapo ProMos based mems back then.

[alexp999]

Im guessing youll reach at about 3.9ghz on the P5N32-SLI with the E6850.. My Striker Extreme's most stable with the proc was at about that range. And that was with unlinked memory settings.. mems were locked @ 800 C4.. and I was using cheapo ProMos based mems back then.

Its not worth splashing out on a E6850 if they've already got a E6600. I reckon you could get 3.9 out of a e6600 if you wanted to (provided you didnt get a dud chip).

I think it is more important to upgrade the ram, gfx card and cooling for the cpu, than to buy a new processor.

[Bjorn_Of_Iceland]

3.9 stable on a B3 with a non-exotic cooling?.. hmm..

well in anycase, his zalman is good enough to push it through a few more.. search around P5N32-SLI forums for the best bios for your proc.. lap your proc also..

I kinda agree with Alex.. divert the funds on the graphics card.. E6600 is not that bad.. if you get an E6850, Im guessing just a 200mhz-250mhz OC advatage over your E6600

[alexp999]

3.9 stable on a B3 with a non-exotic cooling?.. hmm..

well in anycase, his zalman is good enough to push it through a few more.. search around P5N32-SLI forums for the best bios for your proc.. lap your proc also..

I kinda agree with Alex.. divert the funds on the graphics card.. E6600 is not that bad.. if you get an E6850, Im guessing just a 200mhz-250mhz OC advatage over your E6600

his zalman is letting the cpu hit 65*C under load @ 2.9Ghz. That is way to high.
I dont even know if that is stress test load or just after a couple of hours of playing games.

We'll have to see when he posts back.

[fraya713]

yes, stressed tested with orthos, 65 on load, and i've already ordered new ram :).. if i buy a new graphics card the lowest i'll get is a 8800 gtx (hoping eventually for sli)... need the money first tho :P

i was also looking at the 9800 gx2, i thought since im already using the 7950 gx2 it'd be a fitting upgrade, but then i have to worry about if its compatible with my mobo, power supply.. if i got the right cords.. that lame stuff

[alexp999]

yes, stressed tested with orthos, 65 on load, and i've already ordered new ram :).. if i buy a new graphics card the lowest i'll get is a 8800 gtx (hoping eventually for sli)... need the money first tho :P

i was also looking at the 9800 gx2, i thought since im already using the 7950 gx2 it'd be a fitting upgrade, but then i have to worry about if its compatible with my mobo, power supply.. if i got the right cords.. that lame stuff

Not so bad if it is orthos. i take it they are the core tmperatures. Still seems pretty high though. I was hitting 65*c on the cores @ 3.24Ghz with worse case cooling than I have now. i wouldnt Oc that CPu any more untill you get the temps down a bit.

[fraya713]

yea.. it's odd, i even put arctic silver 5 and it didnt seem to help...the odd thing about it is when i went to add the arctic silver 5, there was no thermal paste at all.. just the zalman on top of the processor.. anyways, should i push my fans higher? technically i'm not even starting to overclock until my new ram comes in about 3-4 days, so i guess we got some time to ponder this dilemma :P

p.s. i would lap my processor, but i really don't want to f it up, n2m i don't really know how. And besides the e6700, i can't go any higher right? my mobo i guess only supports 1066 fsb

[alexp999]

yea.. it's odd, i even put arctic silver 5 and it didnt seem to help...the odd thing about it is when i went to add the arctic silver 5, there was no thermal paste at all.. just the zalman on top of the processor.. anyways, should i push my fans higher? technically i'm not even starting to overclock until my new ram comes in about 3-4 days, so i guess we got some time to ponder this dilemma :P

What is your fan setting on?? Are you sure about the thermal paste, I can't imagine the computer staying on very long, the CPu would over heat really fast. Applying As5 should have made a difference if done properly (no offence, it took me a while to get it right. ;) ).
Thats also why I have never got a zalman fan cus they dont automatically increase fan speed with temperature.

[fraya713]

i have no idea what my fan settings are on, i've looked through the bios and i couldn't find them and theres no program to turn them higher (if you of one lemme know :) ) right now my computer has been on all day (almost two days) without a shut down and it stays at 40c even when im playing games. (Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter)

[paybackdaman]

yea.. it's odd, i even put arctic silver 5 and it didnt seem to help...the odd thing about it is when i went to add the arctic silver 5, there was no thermal paste at all.. just the zalman on top of the processor.. anyways, should i push my fans higher? technically i'm not even starting to overclock until my new ram comes in about 3-4 days, so i guess we got some time to ponder this dilemma :P

p.s. i would lap my processor, but i really don't want to f it up, n2m i don't really know how. And besides the e6700, i can't go any higher right? my mobo i guess only supports 1066 fsb

did you put a glob of AC5 on it? or did you put a light dot. because it could be because you put too much on that the heat is getting stuck in the paste itself and not transfering to your Zalman properly.

[fraya713]

i put a "rice size grain" like it said in one of the tutorials on here, i was also wondering if the arctic silver doesn't spread all over the heat sink, is that ok? its in a circle

[paybackdaman]

That sounds about right. If the clamps on are tightly, that little bit should have spread out over most of it. So that comes to air flow. Do you have intake fans by chance?
*edit*
nvm...you have the Antec...hmmm...those temps make no sense.

i have no idea what my fan settings are on, i've looked through the bios and i couldn't find them and theres no program to turn them higher (if you of one lemme know :) ) right now my computer has been on all day (almost two days) without a shut down and it stays at 40c even when im playing games. (Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter)

SpeedFan. it is an alright program if you want to view temps and change fan settings, but it isn't great, just free. lol.

[alexp999]

That sounds about right. If the clamps on are tightly, that little bit should have spread out over most of it. So that comes to air flow. Do you have intake fans by chance?
*edit*
nvm...you have the Antec...hmmm...those temps make no sense.

+1. :confused:

Are you overvolting the cpu??

[fraya713]

i am using the antec 900 case, it has a huge fan on the top, it has a back fan and two front fans, along with the zalman on top of the processor

run 39c core

32c system

[fraya713]

+1. :confused:

Are you overvolting the cpu??

good question, let me check, its at 1.4v too high? lol

[alexp999]

I remeber when I was looking at CPu coolers though. I found that the 9500 series wasnt really powerful enough for Dual cores processors. Thats why I got the one I did.

[Tatty_One]

3.9 stable on a B3 with a non-exotic cooling?.. hmm..

well in anycase, his zalman is good enough to push it through a few more.. search around P5N32-SLI forums for the best bios for your proc.. lap your proc also..

I kinda agree with Alex.. divert the funds on the graphics card.. E6600 is not that bad.. if you get an E6850, Im guessing just a 200mhz-250mhz OC advatage over your E6600

Dont get an E6850....1333FSB is NOT suppported.

[paybackdaman]

Not really knowledgeable on Intels, so i googled it. It says the defualt voltage is from 1.26V to ~1.36V. So you may be.

[alexp999]

Not really knowledgeable on Intels, so i googled it. It says the defualt voltage is from 1.26V to ~1.36V. So you may be.

1.4v is not needed at that speed. I could go to 350FSB (3.15Ghz) on stock voltage (1.35v)
i only had to increase to 1.38v for 3.24Ghz to make it stable in orthos.

[fraya713]

well, thats probably my problem, i'll set it down to i guess "default" 1.36 and see how stable i am


*EDIT*

temps are already going down

XD lol

now at a reasonable 31c haha

[alexp999]

well, thats probably my problem, i'll set it down to i guess "default" 1.36 and see how stable i am


*EDIT*

temps are already going down

XD lol

lol. Try orthos again, see what they go to after about 30 mins.

Did you get a fan controller with your zalman?

[fraya713]

is it on the wire of the zalman? if not then no

[Solaris17]

lol is she stable? i agree grfx and ram our own w1zz got his E6600 to 3.5Ghz look at his specs thats a really good proc and core arch at 3+ghz....it doesnt matter what you get imo..the only reason to really upgrade that proc is

1.If you want a 45nm that can do 4ghz....but seeing as you said you dont know to much it may be a hell of a challange...specially considering you board doesnt support the 1333fsb
2.if you use a program that can benifit from the crazy amounts of cache

other than that you can push that e6600 just fine their damn good chips...you want your rig to perform to its all get a new card and get some good ram cause that proc can be pushed further than you have it imo id make this a "OC my e6600" thread and get some assistance on it..because if those chips can hit 3+ghz their isnt really a reason to buy a new one unless you have the reasons stated above...btw you said you got ram what did ya get?

[fraya713]

Crucial Ballistix 2 x 2 gig. Good Deal, couldn't pass it up, n2m I read some reviews and people seem to be able to overclock their memory fairly well

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148183

Pros: Looks cool, overclocks to 1066mhz with 5-5-5-12 timings, you don't have to raise the voltage any, like the other reviewer said it runs at 900mhz with 4-4-4-12 timings

Cons: uhhh, wasn't free

Other Thoughts: This is some very good ram. Runs great with my xfx 680i lt mobo.




i went ahead and got the corsair "ram fans" i heard this ram can get pretty hot, and the fans fit all sizes so i thought i might as well...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835704001


*EDIT*

I'm gonna run orthos when i go to bed in a little bit, I'll keep ya updated when I wake up

[Solaris17]

cool nice ram thnx :)

[Bjorn_Of_Iceland]

yes, stressed tested with orthos, 65 on load, and i've already ordered new ram :).. if i buy a new graphics card the lowest i'll get is a 8800 gtx (hoping eventually for sli)... need the money first tho :P

i was also looking at the 9800 gx2, i thought since im already using the 7950 gx2 it'd be a fitting upgrade, but then i have to worry about if its compatible with my mobo, power supply.. if i got the right cords.. that lame stuff

8800GTX? why not go 9800GTX. same performance, cheaper, and less power consumption

[Bjorn_Of_Iceland]

Dont get an E6850....1333FSB is NOT suppported.

ah yeah.. that was the P5N32-E I was thinking about.. hehe. sorry bout that

[Tatty_One]

ah yeah.. that was the P5N32-E I was thinking about.. hehe. sorry bout that

Thats OK, I did the exact same thing on page 1!!

[fraya713]

OK, so i got the new ram, for those following this thread, here's the new thread for overclocking my e6600! thanks guys!

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?p=750325#post750325