About to jump in for an E8500

[Kirth Gersen]

Come across one at a very good price, so decided to go for it...

But just before I do, I would appreciate views on how far I can go with my current rig. I sense both the Board and the RAM may hold me back. Particularly the board. My max FSB with the E2160 is 371, and I will be looking for 440 if I am to get my target 4.2Ghz overclock.

Thoughts?

 

[Kirth Gersen]

Thanks guys - that helps. Do you think 4.2 Ghz achieveable?

Tooks, that's a fairly low clock with your 8400. What's stopping you?

 

[Kirth Gersen]

You may have a hard time getting to 4.2Ghz. These things are a right pain to clock and get prime stable. Loads of people are struggling with them and temps don't seem to be read properly either. I've been playing with mine for a week now and have only just managed to get 4.2ghz prime stable. It is really hard going.

And that's with far better kit than mine... hmm...

 

[Kirth Gersen]

Mine's an L2 Revision, which may be the reason for the crappy wall.

Talrinys has a point. The inexplicable instabilities post 4Ghz and the dodgy temp readings (I understand it is the CPU and not the software that is at fault) may result in a new revision for the E8000s.

I'm stepping back from the brink!

 

[Kirth Gersen]

Agree 100%.

I think there is plenty of evidence to suggest that for most GPU bound games, 3.6Ghz or thereabouts is as fast as you need.

However, my particular thing is FSX, and that's CPU bound, with every Mhz counting...