Cheapest CPU that will be "good" for a while

[S7EXEN]

I want to know what you guys think is the cheapest CPU (let's pretend it is July 22nd) that will be able to multi-task and run future programs for 2 or 3 years without me ever getting frustrated because it is slow.

I don't think my standards are very high considering I'm pretty much doing fine on my Inspiron 9300 I got 2 years ago when the deals were freaken crazy on them (40% off... I couldn't resist... that's why I didn't build that year).

I know for games usually the GPU is the bottleneck but I just want to know what the best bang for buck is on a CPU that is future-proof.

 

[jbass]

what kind of programs? I see the AMD X2 series as being the best bang for the buck right now.

 

[firewolfsm]

If you can spend the money, the Q6600 is the cheapest CPU that will easily last the longest out of any available right now.

The cheapest one is the 3600+ which, when overclocked, is decent, a little higher than that is the E4400 which, when overclocked, is good.

 

[Cheex]

For gaming, no Core 2 CPU will be your bottleneck, that's the first thing.

Second, I agree with firewolfsm in saying that for longevity of a CPU, the Q6600 would be your best option (being the most "future-proof").

Thirdly, if you are going to build on a strict budget, then the E4300 would be a very strong contender.

Fourthly...
Welcome to AT!!....

 

[S7EXEN]

Originally posted by: Cheex
For gaming, no Core 2 CPU will be your bottleneck, that's the first thing.

Second, I agree with firewolfsm in saying that for longevity of a CPU, the Q6600 would be your best option (being the most "future-proof").

Thirdly, if you are going to build on a strict budget, then the E4300 would be a very strong contender.

Fourthly...
Welcome to AT!!....

Would an E4300 be good for a long time even without any OC or would I have to OC for that to be true? I know nothing about OC'ing
I don't really think I need a quadcore, but a Q6600 sounds like a good idea, since more games might start utilizing them (at least that's what I heard) and it would probably be great for multitasking. I don't know if I really need that though, since I don't use any extreme programs outside of games... Maybe a midrange Core2Duo like the E6550 ($163 July 22) would be a good idea?

 

[S7EXEN]

Originally posted by: jbass
what kind of programs? I see the AMD X2 series as being the best bang for the buck right now.

Outside of gaming, I don't see myself using programs that require great amounts of power to use.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: S7EXEN

Originally posted by: Cheex
For gaming, no Core 2 CPU will be your bottleneck, that's the first thing.

Second, I agree with firewolfsm in saying that for longevity of a CPU, the Q6600 would be your best option (being the most "future-proof").

Thirdly, if you are going to build on a strict budget, then the E4300 would be a very strong contender.

Fourthly...
Welcome to AT!!....

Would an E4300 be good for a long time even without any OC or would I have to OC for that to be true? I know nothing about OC'ing
I don't really think I need a quadcore, but a Q6600 sounds like a good idea, since more games might start utilizing them (at least that's what I heard) and it would probably be great for multitasking. I don't know if I really need that though, since I don't use any extreme programs outside of games... Maybe a midrange Core2Duo like the E6550 ($163 July 22) would be a good idea?

no ... the e4300 is attractive as an OCer ... 1.8Ghz is pretty slow ... otho, 3.0Ghz is pretty fast

if you don't OC, get a faster stock CPU ... OC'ing is easy - search some of our general guides

QC is just starting to get utilized in games - expect it more comon by late '08 ... before then i will upgrade my e4300 to QC Penryn

 

[Tempered81]

e4400 overclock it

>.

 

[Cheex]

After July 22, we should also start seeing the E4500 popping up.

E4500 = 2.2GHz (200x11).
This will hit 3GHz at 273FSB which any decent motherboard can easily do, also with DDR2-533.


EDIT: I'm not suggesting that you buy cheap parts, just showing you some options.

 

[Ika]

FYI, the E4x00 series CPUs are not getting amazing overclocks. They seem to hit FSB walls fairly early.

 

[evident]

q6600 or e6600 c2d

 

[Lazlo Panaflex]

FYI, the E4x00 series CPUs are not getting amazing overclocks. They seem to hit FSB walls fairly early.

I second that (see sig). They tend to run hotter too. That said, if you're looking for something inexpensive to hold you over, IMO they're a great value for the $$, just make sure to o/c 'em At first I was bummed I couldn't hit 3 Ghz, but heck, a 1 Gig o/c ain't too shabby (a decent "stopgap" until the G0 Q6600's are in plentiful supply )

Anyway, back on topic, I say Q6600 all the way...~$266 for a Quad is an amazing deal.

 

[nullpointerus]

Originally posted by: oldhoss

FYI, the E4x00 series CPUs are not getting amazing overclocks. They seem to hit FSB walls fairly early.

I second that (see sig). They tend to run hotter too. That said, if you're looking for something inexpensive to hold you over, IMO they're a great value for the $$, just make sure to o/c 'em At first I was bummed I couldn't hit 3 Ghz, but heck, a 1 Gig o/c ain't too shabby (a decent "stopgap" until the G0 Q6600's are in plentiful supply )

Anyway, back on topic, I say Q6600 all the way...~$266 for a Quad is an amazing deal.

I'd say almost the same thing. My e4400 hit 10x266=2.6 GHz on stock voltage but needed 1.44v to hit 10x300=3.0 GHz (only tested stability for 1 hour).

Definitely get a Q6600 for longevity!

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Hmmm...have assembled four E4300 rigs. All were able to hit 3.0GHz with 1.40Vcore. Look for L2 stepping or SL9Tx on the chip/box. The most important variables are:

1. RAM (run memtest #5 for 2 hours at the desired CPU core frequency)
2. Cooling...CPU, northbridge, and southbridge. If you can't touch the heat sink for more than 15 seconds, then your chip is probably too hot.
3. MB. Some have 350 to 400MHz FSB hole.

It is possible that the newer E4300s are speed-binned. All my chips were produced on 1/07.

 

[Lazlo Panaflex]

Serpent,
Yeah, I replaced the heatsink w/ an Freezer 7 Pro, added more fans, etc etc., chip won't run stable @ anything higher than 2.85. Oh well, it's fast @ that speed, & I'll upgrade to a Quad down the line...

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: S7EXEN

Originally posted by: Cheex
For gaming, no Core 2 CPU will be your bottleneck, that's the first thing.

Second, I agree with firewolfsm in saying that for longevity of a CPU, the Q6600 would be your best option (being the most "future-proof").

Thirdly, if you are going to build on a strict budget, then the E4300 would be a very strong contender.

Fourthly...
Welcome to AT!!....

Would an E4300 be good for a long time even without any OC or would I have to OC for that to be true? I know nothing about OC'ing
I don't really think I need a quadcore, but a Q6600 sounds like a good idea, since more games might start utilizing them (at least that's what I heard) and it would probably be great for multitasking. I don't know if I really need that though, since I don't use any extreme programs outside of games... Maybe a midrange Core2Duo like the E6550 ($163 July 22) would be a good idea?

no ... the e4300 is attractive as an OCer ... 1.8Ghz is pretty slow ... otho, 3.0Ghz is pretty fast

if you don't OC, get a faster stock CPU ... OC'ing is easy - search some of our general guides

QC is just starting to get utilized in games - expect it more comon by late '08 ... before then i will upgrade my e4300 to QC Penryn

Did you see that intel just announced first penryn extreme? 3.33 quad core for $999!!! I'm very happy to see this, but I can't help but think that intel is trying to drive amd out of business so they can crank the prices back up...

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: nullpointerus

Originally posted by: oldhoss

FYI, the E4x00 series CPUs are not getting amazing overclocks. They seem to hit FSB walls fairly early.

I second that (see sig). They tend to run hotter too. That said, if you're looking for something inexpensive to hold you over, IMO they're a great value for the $$, just make sure to o/c 'em At first I was bummed I couldn't hit 3 Ghz, but heck, a 1 Gig o/c ain't too shabby (a decent "stopgap" until the G0 Q6600's are in plentiful supply )

Anyway, back on topic, I say Q6600 all the way...~$266 for a Quad is an amazing deal.

I'd say almost the same thing. My e4400 hit 10x266=2.6 GHz on stock voltage but needed 1.44v to hit 10x300=3.0 GHz (only tested stability for 1 hour).

Definitely get a Q6600 for longevity!

what is an "amazing OC" ?

my humble e4300 manages 3150Hhz on stock voltage ... and i haven't even tried to push her higher .. letsee that is 1350Mhz over the stock 1800Mhz

i think they all OC pretty well ... even with the stock cooling in an ASrock [bastage] MB i got 2.82Ghz ... more than a 1Ghz OC

and it was $114 shipped from the 'Egg ... i think it qualifies as a contender for: "Cheapest CPU that will be "good" for a while" ... 'till Penryn, i think

 

[Finnkc]

get a good OC chip for the money you want to spend.