Few CPU Questions.

[ash_91]

Hi, I am looking to upgrade my computer within the next few weeks but it has been a while so I am slightly out of touch!

Anyway, these are the processors I am looking at:

Intel Pentium Dual Core E2220 2.4GHz 800FSB Socket 775 1MB L2 Cache
Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 2.5GHz Socket 775 800FSB 2MB Cache

Is there a lot of difference between the two and how would they compare to my current Intel Pentium 531 (3.0Ghz) Socket 775 800Mhz 1MB Cache?

Also what is the cheapest Core"=2Duo available and is it worth waiting and saving up for that instead?

Many thanks, Ash.

 

[ConnectionFX]

the diffrence between the 2 are:

100Mhz
and the E5200 has a higher L2 Cache (2MB)

i personally would go for the E5200 for the higher L2 Cache

When looking for a CPU keep in mind:
Clock Speeds
Cache Sizes
FSB Speeds
Overclockability (Depends on board also)

Higher is better
What is your budget?

 

[reflux]

I would go for the E5200, but make sure your motherboard supports it. What motherboard do you have?

Whilst they may be listed as Pentiums, the above CPUs actually use the same cores as the Core 2 Duo line; the only difference is the amount of L2 cache.

 

[hp7909]

As above, which motherboard? Matters because not all socket 775 chipsets support Core 2 Duo especially the newer 45nm CPUs.

 

[ash_91]

Hi, thanks for the replys, I haven't decided on a board yet, trying to sort out processor first, budget wise, not a lot really, probably £70 tops, although if it will make a big diference then I could go a bit over.

Many thanks.

 

[ash_91]

Quick update, this is the board I am looking to buy:

Asus P5KPL-AM iG31 Socket 775

Will that go okay with the processors and will it overclock ok?

 

[Big.Wayne]

The Asus P5KPL-AM is a nice enough board for the price (built in graphics and stuff) but the overclocking features are basic and nOOb friendly, using a similar board I overclocked an E5200 from 2.5GHz to 3GHz by selecting the +30% Overclocking option from the BIOS and the board did the rest, rock solid stable!

The board has a funny way of setting memory up so if you can splash the cash on a nice PC2-8500 kit of RAM although PC2-6400 should be enough for basic 3GHz overclocking.

If your really serious about overclocking and want to achieve 3.5GHz and higher then your going to need a more feature packed board.

I paid around £95 for an E5200 and a similar ASUS board (P5KPL-CM) a month or so ago and for the money it performs very well, just need to plop in a phat GPU if you intend to game but the built in GMA 3100 is good enough for basic computer use, DivX/iPlayer/YouTube and even some older games!

One last thing I think the board you mentioned comes with just 10/100 LAN, if you want 1000Mbps then you need to look at the other similar boards (VM, CM)

 

[ash_91]

Hi thanks for that, I am not particularly serious about overclockin, getting the chip up to 3ghz sound brilliant to me

I dont use my pc for games, got a 360 for that, although I do use the pc for the odd hd film now and again, although I have a bluray player so hardly ever use the pc now.

All my pc really gets used for is internet/msn/odd word document etc.

Would the onboard graphics suffice for a while?

What are the benefits of 1000mbps lan?

Many thanks.

 

[Big.Wayne]

Well I found some high bit-rate/uncompressed video can stutter if served up via 100Mbps LAN whereas they stream smoothly over GigaLan. Compressed Video (DivX etc) run peachy over 100Mbps.

Also if you copy or backup watonga sized files it can be a lot quicker via GigaLan compared to 100Mbps.

Heres some pics of the two *budget* boards I've used, nice sweet boards for a budget build . . .

ASUS P5KPL-VM

E5200 @ 3.0GHz


ASUS P5KPL-CM

E8400 @ 3.6GHz

Both these boards and the ones you originally selected use the older Intel® G31 Express Chipset which has been trumped now by the newer Intel® G41, Intel® G43 and Intel® G45 Express Chipsets, depending on your budget and how often you upgrade I'd say they were worth a look!

This is of course assumming your looking for an integrated graphics LGA775 board!

Further Reading:

ASUS/Intel® G41
ASUS/Intel® G43
ASUS/Intel® G45

 

[ash_91]

Hi thanks, I dont really upgrade very often, the only reason for this upgrade really is because my brothers computer needs upgrading so im going to give him this one and get some new bits for myself.

I think the ethernet should be fine, if I find I could do with gigabit in the future I could just get a pci card couldn't I?

Not really bothered about all the latest chip sets etc.

Thanks for your help, think I have my mind made up now.

 

[pastymuncher]

Wayne, how on earth is that cooler mounted on the VM. Surely you don't just have it resting on the cpu? Or is it a pre-installation piccy?

 

[Big.Wayne]

Yeah just work log piccy!

 

[Richie P]

In the OP you asked how it would compare to a P4 531?

A lot better. I remember doing some tests a while back on the first 65nm C2D's and a E6400 bested a 4Ghz P4 in a few tests.

The E5200 at 2.5Ghz should be equivalent to a 3.8-4.4Ghz depending on the application.

 

[ash_91]

Thanks for that mate, I thought that would be the case from what I could remember when they first came out.

Cheers.

 

[ShaolinDreams]

ASUS P5KPL-VM

hi mate, could you tell me what cpu cooler is that? thanks

 

[Big.Wayne]

Hey ShaolinDreams,

it's an uBer cheap akasa ak-965 with a Thermalright LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit to replace the dreaded plastic push pins

 

[rikesh]

that coooler is the best £20 ive spent in years
made a hell of a lot of difference, and its better than arctic freezer 7 and cheaper

 

[pastymuncher]

that coooler is the best £20 ive spent in years
made a hell of a lot of difference, and its better than arctic freezer 7 and cheaper

You were ripped off. Even on here it's less than £13.

It is a good cooler though. Better than the more expensive Freezer 7 Pro. You wait. We have been recommending these a lot lately. See how long it takes OCUK to hike the prices.