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cpu upgade advise

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13 Jan 2006
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113
Its that time of year when i start looking for my next upgrade. I have at the moment a [email protected] this i have had now for about 10 months now (the longest ive had a cpu). Apart from a couple of problems to start with (ram) ive had no problems with it.
I was looking for some advise as to the next heart for my machine. I dont want to go down the quad route so that leaves only C2D (as i want to stay intel) and cant afford i7. Which of the E8*** series would be the best buy, i want something that will overclock well and give the best value (bang for buck). I have watercooling so heat will not be a issue.
I only want to upgrade my cpu as i happy with the rest of what i have (at the moment that is)
Thanks.

Oh yeah HAPPY CHRISTMAS. Hope santa brings all you wish for :)
 
Shame you don't want to go AMD as I'd suggest Deneb when it's released. RJC's suggestion looks pretty good to me though.
 
i want something that will overclock well and give the best value (bang for buck). I have watercooling so heat will not be a issue.

If you want bang for buck, then you want the E5200.

I've had the following CPU progression (also on water, so heat not an issue):

E2180 @ 3.4 Ghz
E5200 @ 3.8Ghz
E7300 @ Testing..... (suspect around 4Ghz - 4.2Ghz)

I would have kept with the E5200, but killed the E2180 I had in another machine, so used it as an excuse to upgrade and hopefully break the 4Ghz barrier :D

The E5200 is by far the best for bang for buck - it also has a nice high multi, giving you more freedom with memory.

If you want 4Ghz, then you would probably be wanting the E7300.

I don't think the 8 series is justifiable for the price (for me).

All of this is said with gaming / 3D benchmarks as the core task btw.
 
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Nothing.
Your current CPU is plenty good enough, put any upgrade money in the bank and wait a year. Then buy a much bigger upgrade.
I wouldn't say this if you had some single core socket 939 but you have a fast, modern dual core which is overclocked. Any upgrade outside of certain pro applications represent poor value for money.
 
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