April 22 C2D Price Drop Info

[acenj]

Hi all. I just have a quick question about the April 22 price drop. When can we actually expect merchents to offer the E6700 for $316? Would it be the same day? Which merchants will change their prices first most likely?

I'm looking for the best bang for buck in the $280 - $330 range. It seems that the E6700 is the winner after this price drop!

My situation is that I just purchased an E6600 for $300. For ~$20 more I'd be more then willing to return my E6600 (unopened) and purchase the E6700. I plan to overclock to 3.2GHZ by upping the FSB to 400MHZ and dropping the multiplier to 8x.

This way I can do a 1:1 memory ratio with PC6400 800MHZ memory - to fully utilize my components.

I'm hoping that by purchasing the E6700 it will overclock much easier. I'm hoping to use the stock Intel HSF for now until I can get my hands on a Thermalright Ultra 120 (which seems to be sold out everywhere).

So anyway, any suggestions/comments/criticism strongly welcomed.

 

[perdomot]

Considering I just saw the E4300 at Newegg for $139, I'd say definitely return it. This cpu gets to about 3.2 Ghz easily when OC'd so why pay more?

 

[RichUK]

It?s very unlikely you?ll hit 3.6Ghz with an E6600, or even the E6700 with the stock heatsink. It?ll be hard enough to hit 3.6Ghz even with a decent heatsink, unless you seriously over volt the processor.

You won?t benefit from using an E6700 over an E6600 as the extra multi just isn't required. Especially if you already have decent memory that?ll operate in the 800Mhz+ region, and if you also intend on using a motherboard that will hit 400FSB+, which by what you?ve already outlined is your intention.

I?d also just like to point out that the stock heatsink is very inefficient if you bump up the voltage with your OC, so be mindful of the temps during the Oc with the stock heatsink.

 

[zephyrprime]

I thought that having a 1:1 memory divider didn't really matter much on modern Intel platforms?

 

[acenj]

But isn't it true that I'm more likely to reach a higher max OC with the E6700? My long term goal after i get a really sweet air cooling system (thermal 120 ultra + synth fan, etc) I'm hoping to maybe even reach 4.0ghz by doing 400FSB and having the 10x multiplier that the 6700 offers. Otherwise the E6600 9x multi would need to be pushed much harder and may not go as high. Plus the rest of my components wouldn't be stressed as much due to the 10x multiplier that the e6700 offers.

Am I on the right track with this thinking?

 

[superHARD]

Originally posted by: RichUK
It?s very unlikely you?ll hit 3.6Ghz with an E6600, or even the E6700 with the stock heatsink. It?ll be hard enough to hit 3.6Ghz even with a decent heatsink, unless you seriously over volt the processor.

You won?t benefit from using an E6700 over an E6600 as the extra multi just isn't required. Especially if you already have decent memory that?ll operate in the 800Mhz+ region, and if you also intend on using a motherboard that will hit 400FSB+, which by what you?ve already outlined is your intention.

I?d also just like to point out that the stock heatsink is very inefficient if you bump up the voltage with your OC, so be mindful of the temps during the Oc with the stock heatsink.

3.6?

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: zephyrprime
I thought that having a 1:1 memory divider didn't really matter much on modern Intel platforms?

You're right, it doesn't. However, there has been some research into certain divider ratios performing better in a certain Mhz band. From what I?ve seen with regards to bandwidth performance figures, the peak performance difference is negligible - So it is indeed a pretty moot point.

Some chipsets fair better with different dividers. I believe due to the way the divider operates, some dividers induce added latency due to the asynchronous FSB/RAM communication, and thus slightly impact peak performance.

All in all, people shouldn?t be too worried about peak memory performance (especially on the C2D platform) as ultimately the processor frequency is king.

 

[dantonic]

You took too much man... too much.

You might be able to get to that speed.... but why? you might get instability etc.... It seems that people have had better luck with the 6600 in getting over 4.0 GHZ than with the 6700
anyhow here's a nice link. you can see what people have used, what mobo/ ram / cooling combination to achieve certain speeds.
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1075792
GL! I hope you dont lose an eye when the processor explodes... j/k

PS I would return the 6600... wait for the prices to drop... and BUY IT AGAIN!!! YESSSS! CHEEEAP!

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: superHARD

Originally posted by: RichUK
It?s very unlikely you?ll hit 3.6Ghz with an E6600, or even the E6700 with the stock heatsink. It?ll be hard enough to hit 3.6Ghz even with a decent heatsink, unless you seriously over volt the processor.

You won?t benefit from using an E6700 over an E6600 as the extra multi just isn't required. Especially if you already have decent memory that?ll operate in the 800Mhz+ region, and if you also intend on using a motherboard that will hit 400FSB+, which by what you?ve already outlined is your intention.

I?d also just like to point out that the stock heatsink is very inefficient if you bump up the voltage with your OC, so be mindful of the temps during the Oc with the stock heatsink.

3.6?

3.6+, yeah.

It's doable with high voltages, but as a natural due course it subsequently raises the temperature. These temperatures I?ve found are very hard to keep under control, if my asus probe is in the slightest bit accurate when reading the load CPU/NB temps.

I haven?t been following the Core 2 Duo overclocks that closely as of late - have the latest batches of 4MB chips been hitting 3.6Ghz with ease?

 

[dantonic]

I'm sure you can get to 3.6 no problem with the right components...

but 4?
I mean you don't reeeeaaally need it that speed do you? I'm willing to bet that you willl considerably reduce the life of your cpu if you keep it overclocked at 4.

Maybe you can test it just to see if you can get to that speed, but dont run it at that costantly...

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: acenj
But isn't it true that I'm more likely to reach a higher max OC with the E6700? My long term goal after i get a really sweet air cooling system (thermal 120 ultra + synth fan, etc) I'm hoping to maybe even reach 4.0ghz by doing 400FSB and having the 10x multiplier that the 6700 offers. Otherwise the E6600 9x multi would need to be pushed much harder and may not go as high. Plus the rest of my components wouldn't be stressed as much due to the 10x multiplier that the e6700 offers.

Am I on the right track with this thinking?

You are indeed. Your only limiting factor will be whether the processor can reach 4Ghz, and if it can - will you be able to achieve 24/7 operation on the air setup you have.

These things get incredibly hot when overclocked to these extremes, especially with the amount of voltage you?ll need.

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: perdomot
Considering I just saw the E4300 at Newegg for $139, I'd say definitely return it. This cpu gets to about 3.2 Ghz easily when OC'd so why pay more?

Not true the avg person will not get there e4300 to 3.2 ... dont try to speculate

the average OC on Hardforum for that processor is 3.1 and that is someone who built everyhting around the overclock. This in regards was not easy.

I would say you could get 2.4ish easy with that processor... prob more if you buy expensive cooling setups and overvolt.

Dont expect to get 3.2 if you buy a e4300 or you could be very disappointed

 

[Shimmishim]

the newer 6600's are not capable of 3.6 w/o a ton of volts... for that matter, i have yet to see many people hit 3.6 with less than 1.4 since earlier than the L632B batches.

however, it appears the new 6420's are capable of 3.6 w/ voltage between 1.4 to 1.5 which isn't horribly bad.

i say return the 6600 and just get a 6420 now if you can't wait for the price drop or wait until the price drop and get the 6420 for around $180-$190. curently they are around $210.

also, i've only see 1 person operate a chip at 4 ghz 24/7 w/o the use of phase or extreme cooling. this person was running 4 ghz orthos stable on water. again, these chips are 1 in a billion.

3.2 is a respectable goal and you will be able to do this even with a 6420.

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: dantonic
I'm sure you can get to 3.6 no problem with the right components...

but 4?
I mean you don't reeeeaaally need it that speed do you? I'm willing to bet that you willl considerably reduce the life of your cpu if you keep it overclocked at 4.

Maybe you can test it just to see if you can get to that speed, but dont run it at that costantly...

with the quality of the newer batches, 3.6 is not a given even with the best components.

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: superHARD

Originally posted by: RichUK
It?s very unlikely you?ll hit 3.6Ghz with an E6600, or even the E6700 with the stock heatsink. It?ll be hard enough to hit 3.6Ghz even with a decent heatsink, unless you seriously over volt the processor.

You won?t benefit from using an E6700 over an E6600 as the extra multi just isn't required. Especially if you already have decent memory that?ll operate in the 800Mhz+ region, and if you also intend on using a motherboard that will hit 400FSB+, which by what you?ve already outlined is your intention.

I?d also just like to point out that the stock heatsink is very inefficient if you bump up the voltage with your OC, so be mindful of the temps during the Oc with the stock heatsink.

3.6?

3.6+, yeah.

It's doable with high voltages, but as a natural due course it subsequently raises the temperature. These temperatures I?ve found are very hard to keep under control, if my asus probe is in the slightest bit accurate when reading the load CPU/NB temps.

I haven?t been following the Core 2 Duo overclocks that closely as of late - have the latest batches of 4MB chips been hitting 3.6Ghz with ease?

The B batches appear to be the best for now. however these things heat up fast with just the smallest increase in voltage but are great o/c'ers at low voltage.

F batches seemed to be hit or miss... more miss though.

the newer G batches seem decent. the 6420's that are being bought by most people are reported as L646G and L647G and seem to hit 3.6 with some voltage increase.

 

[MrDudeMan]

I would get the 4300

 

[Cheex]

In light of all the price cuts....what should I do with my CPU...

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 (L2 Stepping)

 

[yacoub]

Originally posted by: Cheex
In light of all the price cuts....what should I do with my CPU...

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 (L2 Stepping)

Is it broken? If not, what the heck do you care? Why waste money when that's already a good CPU?

 

[Fallengod]

I dont know why you need that high of a multiplier. Just get an E6420 after price drops for around $180... That would be my advice. Im trying to figure out why would you want purchase a 9x or 10x multiplier cpu for more money if youre planning on dropping the multiplier and running it at 8x400 anyways....

Return the current E6600 definitely. Maybe buy it again after price cuts and save money. I dont see why youre so worried about having 9 or 10x multi. 8x multi is plenty. Should be able to get an easy 3.4ghz at least out of those E6420's.

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: yacoub

Originally posted by: Cheex
In light of all the price cuts....what should I do with my CPU...

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 (L2 Stepping)

Is it broken? If not, what the heck do you care? Why waste money when that's already a good CPU?

No it isn't broken. So I guess I should just some better memory then to take it higher.
E6300/DS3/G.SKILL/Tuniq - Page 5

 

[iwearnosox]

Get a 4300 and save some cash. I picked one up at fry's w/ motherboard for $119. It does an absurd 3.2ghz at stock voltage.

 

[yacoub]

Originally posted by: Cheex

Originally posted by: yacoub

Originally posted by: Cheex
In light of all the price cuts....what should I do with my CPU...

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 (L2 Stepping)

Is it broken? If not, what the heck do you care? Why waste money when that's already a good CPU?

No it isn't broken. So I guess I should just some better memory then to take it higher.
E6300/DS3/G.SKILL/Tuniq - Page 5

Or just be happy with what you have and not waste the money

 

[Muhadib]

Newegg.com dosen't seem to carry the 6420s yet. Any recomendations on where to get one?

 

[legendma]

Get it from www.shopblt.com. Ordered it during the weekend and got it Tuesday. These newer C2D seem to be really good. Still testing, however got mine upto 3.45Ghz @ 1.4 vCore Dual Prime stable. Trying to work my way upto 3.5-3.6Ghz range which should be doable.

Originally posted by: Muhadib
Newegg.com dosen't seem to carry the 6420s yet. Any recomendations on where to get one?

 

[1ManArmY]

After April 22 nd I will be in the market for an upgrade, right now I'm looking at the

E6600
Gigabyte 965P-DS3
2 gig RAM Corsair XMS or Geil (PC2 6400) if I can find it
Zalman 9700 LED
XP Media Center Edition

suggestions on the RAM other brands to reccomend want to spend about 150 on the RAM for a 2 GIG PAK if possible, looking to do a moddest overclock initially to 3.0 then open it up later to >3.2
suggestions?