Comparison of Core2 CPUs - 5200 and 8400

[latercomer2]

Just after a quick opinion

I've currently got a Core 2 E5200 running at 3.7GHz on air stable for several years. Considering a minor upgrade to a E8400 with the obvious intent of OCing it too.

Any ideas what the performance difference would be? Worth it or just wasting time. Obviously lot will probably depend on how well the E8400 overclocks.

Just a stop-gap prior to a proper upgrade at some point in the future.

 

[latercomer2]

The only thing I use the desktop for is playing the X series of games from Egosoft (space sims) which are pretty hard on systems for both CPU and GPU. I dont care about the graphics so generally have them tuned down to improve overall performance.

When things get busy in the game - performs goes out the window and I believe its probably a CPU bottleneck

System details:

Abit IP35 Pro
E5200 @ 3.7 on air
4Gb Ram
X1950 pro (going to be replaced )

 

[latercomer2]

The reason for not going for a quad is that its currently single threaded so there is no inherent benefit except the other cores can be utilised by other applications - that said I deliberately dont run other applications when gaming for this very reason.

The idea was to spend uner £30 on this - so not an expensive option but needs to provide some level improved performance or its pointless.

 

[latercomer2]

£30 was for the E8400

 

[latercomer2]

I'm not even expecting 4.0Ghz from a E8400 - just wondering whetehr there is any real benefit from additional cache on the E8400 v E5200 running at the same rate?

Any additional overclock would be a bonus.

 

[latercomer2]

Cache won't help if you're CPU bound as it's clock cycles you need!

But by having more cache you can reduce the amout of main memory accesses and hence it doesn't need as many clock cycles

 

[latercomer2]

I like to understand the reasons why - I was never convinced in the past when it would have cost £60+ for the replacement cpu

Downside of the Abit board is that the bios doesn't support the high end Quads hence any change is only a short term solution until I can be bothered to build a new system.

 

[latercomer2]

Sounds reasonable to me

thanks for all the replies

 

[latercomer2]

Actually one final question - if its truely all about clock cycles and a single threaded application - then presumably even a SB I2500 running at say 4.4GHz isn't going to make that much difference over a dual core running 3.7GHz which is a 20% increase in raw clock rates.

Somethign doesn't quite add up there but I know nothing about the new CPUs so feel free to educate me

 

[latercomer2]

Thanks again - really should brush up on modern CPUs

 

[latercomer2]

I used that thread when deciding on the E5200 in the first place

Not going to be a huge improvement going on that unless the E8400 clocks very well. And as it happens the one I was looking at in the MM has sold whch makes the decision easier for now

Need to think about a full system upgrade but cant face doing it at the moment as I've got little/no free time due to having a young child. And i really hate re-installing all the software.