2.8C/E or 3.0C/E

[cphowitzer]

After much surfing and researching, I am still unsure whether to get the 2.8C/E or the 3.0C/E... I would very much appreciate your feedback.

I currently just received the new DFI Lanparty i865pe mobo, and have the PC4000 Ultra 1gb, Dual Channeled (2x512). So now I'm looking for a good processor. I am willing to overclock at about 15-25% but preferrably with stock cooling.

Now the confusion comes from people saying that the 2.8 and 3.0 and other iVs are just same chips but overclocked and sold at different price. It makes sence, (businesses would not go through the trouble of overclocking), but is it true? Also Northwood and Presscot seem equally good, although currently I am leaning towards Norhwood, although still, Prescott is newer. I don't know.

Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated, thank you. Im planning to buy the chip tommorow, and be in time for the awesome game coming out... U know it... Doom3... (although im already shaking from fear... ouch).

Thx,
CPH

 

[Mik3y]

unless you get the overclock to 3.5ghz or above, dont get the prescott. it sux. even the older northwood core is superior to it. then again, since you are gaming, go athlon 64. i'm not saying it cuz i'm biased. i'm saying it cuz its true. new technology doesnt really mean its better. it means its got more potential.

 

[PowderBB3D]

Prescott is teh failure. A64 pwnz!

Sorry, I was reading the LotR CS l337 thread before this =)

Prescott is only useful if you want to overclock to something obscene like 3.6 ghz or, like somebody did on this forum, 4 ghz. The Northwood runs cooler and is overall probably the better choice. The difference between 2.8 and 3.0 can be overclocked away pretty easily so you don't really need to go investing the extra cash. But, like Mik3y said, A64 is the current gaming performance/price leader and you are set for Win XP 64-bit Edition. I predict that sometime soon you'll start seeing 64-bit versions of games; then you'll be glad you have an A64.

 

[Pentium]

Northwood or Athlon 64

 

[csrx]

3.0C Northwood (preferably 30 cap) or Athlon 64.

Don't like the prescott temperatures, but if you have watercooling...

 

[PhoenixOrion]

Go with 2.8C over the other 3 options.

Save yourself some money.

Easy oc from 200 to 240 fsb on air+default voltage.

With your ram, you should be able to hit 250 fsb at 1:1 ratio with little to none vcore adjustment.

 

[jhites]

2.8C
MO stepping if you can find one.
Prescott's run hotter and are still being outperformed by the Northwoods.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Only get the prescotts if you are going to get an exotic cooling system like phase change, or liquid hydrogen, in which they can reach speeds well over 4ghz.

But i doubt youll get that so i recommend the 2.8C.

-Kevin

 

[Nebor]

I'd go for the 3.0E. It's the most advanced processor from the group and will likely overclock the farthest.

Ignore the sheep who shout "Prescott will melt your case and burn down your house it killed my father and beat up my sister!!!!1eleven" Intel specs put the prescott at 10-15w hotter than the Northwoods. That's not a colossal change.

They're all good choices, but the 3.0E is the most advanced. Of course, if I were building a new rig now, it would be Athlon 64.