CPU choice

[smokinu]

Well I will building a new pc in the next week after trying to play age of conan on my AMD 64 1.8ghz single core and 7300 gs video card system. Yes I know pretty out dated huh, well time to upgrade.

I have not built a system myself for over 4years now adn the last one was store bought so I have researching for the last few days. I find myself trying to decide between two cpu's the e8400 and the e7200. I have never done any overclocking but it dont seem like it could be too hard so I thouhgt about the 7200. But as far as the bigger question..
What comes into play as far as cost/performace ratio between the two??? I have seen the e8400 going for 184 us dollars and the 7200 going for 131 us dollars. But with overclocking would the price of cooling out weigh the difference in the the chips? thanks a bunch

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: smokinu
But with overclocking would the price of cooling out weigh the difference in the the chips? thanks a bunch

Welcome to anandtech. If you'd only be planning on overclocking the E7200 to 3.0 Ghz, you wouldn't need an aftermarket heatsink. And if you're planning on trying for 4 Ghz, you'll need an aftermarket heatsink with either of them.

 

[smokinu]

Thanks for the welcome... So the e7200 would actually be a good choice then since from what I have read the bigger cache on the 8400 dont come into play very often and If I can clock the 7200 to 3g its would pretty much be the same as the 8400 plus save me 50 bucks. Thanks a bunch man for the help

 

[myocardia]

Yeah, 3 Ghz is a walk in the park for an E7200, even with the factory heatsink. Most of us bought one because the majority of them will do close to 4 Ghz, if not slightly over.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Cache Comparison between the e7200 & e8400

 

[betasub]

Gamers :heart: L2 cache