Best all around cpu upgrade for asus p5ne-sli ?

[zzrich]

Hey folks. Been lurking around here for years. Finaly signed up !

Right now I have an e2200 in my p5ne-sli and I want to extend its life a little longer. I have been looking at the e5200, e6300 and Q6600 mostly. I am not willing to spend a ton on this rig as its getting outdated quickly. Although the e2200 @ 3162 mhz has been great, I kind of fell in love with the dirt2 demo and would like to squezz out a few more frames from my system. Also I realy dont see a need for me to go Quad right now. My board goes up to 1333mhz, so im thinking maybe getting a 1066 based cpu would be best as I would have some over clocking headroom. The rest of my specs should show up in my profile. Thanks alot !

 

[zach538467]

If you already have an aftermarket heatsink I'll throw in a vote for the e5200 as they are known to be stellar overclockers. I got one up to 3.7 very very easily without even overvolting it. Stable as a rock too.

 

[lunyone]

did you have a budget??

I'd consider this:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
It should be able to OC quite good, not sure what level your mobo will take it. I've been reading some reviews that the NB chipset gets quite hot while OC'd, so might be a concern.

or on a budget:

Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5400 Wolfdale 2.7GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116076
This OC's well too and is much cheaper.

 

[zzrich]

That sounds very good ! Ive got my e2200 way overvolted (1.6 according to cpu-z) 1.55 in bios. Yet it still runs cool with my cheap rosewill RCX-Z775-LX . I just want to get another year or so out of this rig if I can.

Asus p5ne-sli
Win XP SP3
Seagate 250gb sata 3gb
e2200@ 3.16 ghz 11x287.5
Rosewill RCX-Z775-LX Cpu cooler
2x1gb Gskill ddr800
OCZ Elite Stream 800w
2x xfx 8800gt 256/256

 

[zzrich]

Sorry lunyone. I guess we posted at he same time. I check your recommendations right now. Would the e8400 effectively max out my motherboard ? What do you guys think about cache and gaming ? Would a higher overclock on a budget cpu help close the gap compared to a higher end cpu with more cache ? Oh, and I hadn't noticed the e5400, looks nice for the budget conscious like me !

 

[lunyone]

Sorry lunyone. I guess we posted at he same time. I check your reccomendations right now.

Not a problem at all. I like the e5400 better than the e5200, because it has a higher multiplier, which means an easier time with OC'ing!

 

[zach538467]

Indeed, for about $8 more. I haven't ever OC'ed an e5400, though I thought the e5200 was simple as pie Either one will be great

 

[zzrich]

I went with the e5200. I should have it on monday or tuesday ! Feb 8 - 9