E2140 @ 2.8GHz - where to go CPU-wise?

[Participant]

Hi all

I'm running an E2140 @ 2.8GHz. It was at 3.2 but I started experiencing crashes and failures, probably due to a buildup of dust and the heatsink requiring cleaning / replacing.

However I'm not sure whether or not to bother, and am considering upgrading my CPU. I'm happy sticking with a budget-ish dual core for the moment, so what chips should I be looking at?

My current usage in order of importance:

- Playing videos whilst browsing web, general office and media apps
- a lot of Adobe applications open at once, PS, Flash, DW, etc.
- encoding using ConvertXtoDVD (would be nice to speed this up as it a 700MB AVI--> DVD takes 20 mins or so at the moment)
- typical gaming - FC2, Crysis, etc.

so it would need to be pretty much an all-rounder. I'd consider spending £200 if it was worth it but preferably less.

Q6600? Or a Yorkfield dual core, and if so, which?

 

[krooton]

E7300 and clock the nuts off it?

 

[Jimbo Mahoney]

E5200 (12.5 multi, low FSB) or E7300 (10x multi, medium FSB) and overclock it.

I'm looking at the same upgrade and torn between the two. The E5200 is more likely to encounter a FSB wall, but with a 12.5 multi, that doesn't matter too much. I hear the E7300 is from the same silicon as the 8xxx series, so may clock better.

I think I will actually buy both chips and keep whichever is better.

 

[pastymuncher]

E5200 will hit anywhere between 3.2 and 3.8Ghz depending on luck. Most will do 3.4-3.6Ghz but as Jimbo Mahoney states, you will most likely end up fsb limited and having to sacrifice ram speed. However, it is a bargain at sub £60 and is very cool running and power efficient.

 

[Jimbo Mahoney]

you will most likely end up fsb limited and having to sacrifice ram speed.

I don't see why you have to sacrifice RAM speed?

 

[pastymuncher]

I don't see why you have to sacrifice RAM speed?

Because they don't like high fsb's. Mine will not do more than 320 fsb. Other's have been luckier and got 360 but that's rare. You will end up having to run the ram faster than the fsb. A lot of people like to run 1:1 but that would mean very slow ram.

 

[Jimbo Mahoney]

You will end up having to run the ram faster than the fsb.

That's what I mean.

Slow FSB != Slow RAM