Best budget Core 2 Duo setup

[supra33202]

I am looking a non-overclocking setup for Core 2 Duo setup.

Core 2 Duo E6300
http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Intel_Co...54/zip_code=94112/sort_type=bottomline
MSI P965 Neo-F Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130052
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231081

Will that setup be a good budget setup?

Thanks!

 

[akshayt]

get DDR 2 667 instead.
Try to get a better mobo if buget permits.
Pair the CPU with 1900XT.

 

[supra33202]

But according to http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=4&artpage=1965&articID=472, DDR2 533 runs in syn with e6300. So, it performs better if not overclocking.

 

[dukoolio]

First of all, I have no idea why this person feels qualified to write an article given this statement on that page:

the ram is running at 266Mhz x2 (Dual Channel) x2 (DDR) = ?1066Mhz?

Secondly, the best budget setups usually indicate at least moderate overclocking. Why not spend the few extra bucks for DDR2-667 and then overclock up to that point?

Also, there's no reason to set a divider to keep your RAM from running too fast. If you can possibly forget everything you read in that article, it would be a great start.

 

[jmke]

any reason why one should "forget anything they've read"?

 

[imported_ed1]

fyi, Core 2 Duo E6300 for $195.99 shipped (those pricegrabber prices seem out of date)
http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA1938400

 

[gobucks]

Originally posted by: supra33202
But according to http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=4&artpage=1965&articID=472, DDR2 533 runs in syn with e6300. So, it performs better if not overclocking.

it's not the e6300 that is running in sync with the DDR2 533, but rather the FSB. conroes use a 1066MHz FSB (266x4), and DDR2-533 dual channel runs at 266MHz (base) x 2 (double data rate) x 2 (dual channel), so if you run at DDR2-533 and stock CPU speeds, your RAM can theoretically saturate a 1066MHz bus. but at least on the Intel platform, you seem to get some nice gains by running your RAM faster than the bus.

In fact, I have an example from personal experience. With my e6400 @ 3.08GHz, i had the choice to run my memory at 1:1, which would result in a memory speed of 770MHz. at this speed, I had my timings at 4-4-4-10. I was also using the gigabyte DS3 board (which i highly recommend BTW) and I activated the "turbo" option on the memory enhance section of the bios, which boosts memory bandwidth by a few percent. My best superpi 8M score with this setting was 219 seconds.

my other opton was to run a 4:5 divider (the setting for DDR2-677 @ stock speeds). this would cause my memory to run at 963MHz, but i had to relax my timings to 5-4-5-10 and turn off the "turbo" mode. even with the slower timings, and running my memory out of sync, I hit 211 seconds with my superpi 8M score. Obviously the extra bandwidth is put to good use.

so i say grab some decent RAM - DDR2-667 or 800, both of which can be found for around $150-160 if you know where to look. also get a motherboard that can OC a bit, like the DS3, because it's pretty much a sin not to overclock an e6300, considering how cool they run and the fact that they can generally hit 3GHz without much fuss. the faster RAM will give you room to overclock if you decide to do it later (you can't run RAM slower than 1:1 so DDR2-533 makes it hard to OC)

 

[noushy]

Just some info, core 2 chips perform better overall with ram in sync, ie if fsb 1066, run ddr2 at 533, just look at this months cpu mag where they got better peformance at lower speeds. the odd memory splits like 4/5 etc. actually introduce latency and sometimes run worse than a slower memory at a 1/2 split. I have played around with this on my x6800 and it holds true. My 1333 fsb is running ddr2-667 speeds and gets better 3dmark scores than running the memory faster. The memory scores improve at ddr2-800 but 3dmark falls behind. Again depends on what you want, but unless you are using an unlocked chip ddr-667 is more than enough. Try to get 2gb (for vista) and the best timings, that will make all the difference.

Noushy