E2160/2180 vs. E2200

[clueless1]

So, I have not read many (any) reviews of actual overclocks with the new E2200. I understand the only difference between these chips is the multiplier, and am wondering in an overclock setting what that will actually mean? Will I be able to attain higher speeds with the E2200? What is the rationale to buy it vs the E2160 (or E2180)?

 

[brencat]

Perhaps you missed this very similar thread:

Click here

 

[clueless1]

No, I did not miss it. It does not answer my questions.

I was under the impression that all things being equal, a higher multiplier should permit either 1) a higher OC given the same FSB or 2) lower Vcore. But it these chips are "equal" that means these thoughts are not correct. I do not understand why (or perhaps the suggestions these chips are equivalent OC'd is not correct??)

 

[brencat]

Let's look at 5 CPUs for a sec:

E2160 - $79; 9 multi x 200 FSB, 1mb cache
E2180 - $85; 10 multi x 200 FSB
E2200 - $95; 11 multi x 200 FSB

E4400 - $121; 10 multi x 200 FSB, 2mb cache
E4500 - $118; 11 multi x 200 FSB

Many of the E2XXX and E4XXX series top out around 370 - 380 FSB. Some can do more than 400. Avg max core speed OCed is ~ 3.1 - 3.2ghz +/- 200mhz. That means if you go with an E2200 or E4500 with the 11 multiplier, your FSB max will probably be ~ 300 b/c your chip would be running at 3.3ghz at that point. Now let's say you wanted to try and max your FSB and drop your multiplier to let's say 9x. Why then would you want to overpay for a E2200 when the E2160 will suffice? 9 x 370 = 3.33 ghz which is plenty fast and slightly above the avg overclock range for these CPUs.

IMO, if you are going to pay $95 (and higher at some retailers) for the E2200, you might as well pay another $23 and get the E4500 with double the L2 cache. Otherwise, put the extra $16 you save by going with the E2160 toward a better HSF like the $22 Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro. That is the better trade overall.

 

[Denithor]

COOLER MASTER RR-CCH-L9U1-GP 92mm Hyper TX2 CPU Cooler - Retail

Or, better yet, this cooler for $2 after $20MIR.

Brencat hit it pretty well on the head. Most of the e21x0 & e4x00 chips top out at about the same max speed. Therefore a higher multiplier really only gives you less stress on the rest of your system (lower fsb so motherboard/memory don't run as fast and generate less heat). Don't expect to run lower volts due to a higher multiplier, the final speed you set it at has more to do with voltage requirement than the fsb you have to use to get there (you will get to a certain speed on stock volts and then have to begin feeding it more volts to go faster than that point).

Keep in mind that Intel does not launch chips aimed at the overclocking market but rather at the OEM market. These chips simply let HP/Dell/etc sell faster clocked computers without having to go up to the e4x00 series for the increased speed.

 

[GundamF91]

I would also say go for E4500. That's what I am running now and it's great! I've heard from others who tried my E4500 and compared to their E2160. The 2mb cache does make a difference in terms of snappiness in the Windows. Also it should also help in gaming to the tune of an additional 100-200mhz when running at same clock.