which Core 2 cpu to get?

[wijcc]

I am looking to purchase a new intel core duo cpu. Which is the best cpu to get under the £100 bracket?

Which out these two is better? (I am looking to do gaming on this machine, probably o/c it too)

Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Socket 775 2.4GHz (800MHz) L2 2MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor

Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 2.33GHz 1333FSB Socket 775 4MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor

Also what is the best motherboard to go with it, a few options will handy. Needs to have IDE as I will be reusing my exiting IDE HDDs and DVD-RW

Thanks in advance guys

 

[wijcc]

what like the Intel Core 2 Duo E2200 Socket 775 2.2GHz 800FSB one???.. it has less L2 cache than the other two so will still be faster?.
I mainly play games like supreme commander by the way if that makes a difference.

 

[wijcc]

My E2180 has never been below 3.2Ghz and this was the first Intel chip I've overclocked. Really easy and this CPU beats my m8's E6850 @ 3Ghz. I've had it up to 3.5Ghz but I've not primed that yet but will do soon. 3.2Ghz is easy but above and beyond is dependant on the luck of the draw of a good overclocking CPU.

is that with the stock cpu cooler/heatsink?

 

[wijcc]

Whats your main use for the chip?

If your doing lots of video encoding, rendering etc the 4mb cache on the e6550 woudl be the one to go for.

If its gaming then as said before, have a look at the e2xxx chips. I've a q6600 (@3.6ghz) in my main rig and an e2200 (@3.6ghz) in my HTPC. I cannot see any difference in FPS at all between the two. Certainly not to the naked eye anyway.

Mainly gaming with games like supreme commander and maybe photoshoping and programming.

 

[wijcc]

cool, i got a PCI IDE controller card so can use that.

Is the stock cooler any good or will I have to invest in another cpu cooler/heatsink to get the best o/c out of the Core 2 Duo E2200?
Thanks guys for your avice

 

[wijcc]

cool thanks guys

 

[wijcc]

last question is the E2200 or the E2180 the better overclocker?

 

[wijcc]

Try to push for a http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-191-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=793

Do these cpus overclock well?

 

[wijcc]

well its only got an 8 multi so you will need decent OCing 6400 Ram if you want the mem to run 1:1 at a cpu speed above 3.2ghz. The 6mb cache should help out in photo/video apps.

I am not really into photo/video editing more in gaming like stuff like supreme commander

 

[wijcc]

these E8x00 processors are very hard to get currently hardly anyone has them instock and when they do their gone in about 5 to 10 mins!!!