E5200: How's it compare?

[perdomot]

I've seen this cpu OC'd to 4Ghz but I'm curious as to how it compares with the 7xxx and 8xxx series on a clock for clock test? Any ideas?

 

[harpoon84]

Slightly slower than E7x00 per clock, less than 5% I'd say. Against the E8x00, probably 5 - 10% slower overall, up to 15 - 20% in cache dependent apps. I don't have any solid proof (ie. benchmarks) I'm only going by previous tests showing diminishing returns for L2 cache sizes above 2 or 3MB:

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...howdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=4
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...duo-e7200_4.html#sect0

The E5200 has a lower stock FSB as well, which will have a minor impact on performance also:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...howdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=6 though this is actually good news for budget overclockers since any cheap mobo can (potentially) overclock this chip to 4GHz without having to worry about FSB walls and such.

Basically it comes down to:
E5x00 - 2MB L2 / 800FSB
E7x00 - 3MB L2 / 1066FSB
E8x00 - 6MB L2 / 1333FSB

 

[perdomot]

Yeah I've heard that cache isn't that important when you get above 3MB too. Guess the main advantage will be the higher multiplier.

 

[Foxery]

Don't think these come out until next month - but in general, L2 cache in Core2 chips is best described as a very strong case of diminishing returns. The 5000 series should be quite zippy for all but the most intense power users.

 

[v8envy]

Is it bad that I don't want to upgrade to this excellent chip yet? My E2180 has been handling everything I've thrown at it with the greatest of ease.

The upgrade itchies are going to get pretty fierce once it's out and below $80 though...

 

[perdomot]

Even though I'm very happy with my X3 rig right now, I feel you on the "upgrade itchies". If anything, I'd probably want a Velociraptor for the C Drive rather than upgrading the cpu performance by switching back to intel. Using a WD 640GB hdd currently and it works well but the low access times of the raptor family makes such a difference.

 

[brencat]

Originally posted by: v8envy
My E2180 has been handling everything I've thrown at it with the greatest of ease.

The upgrade itchies are going to get pretty fierce once it's out and below $80 though...

Feeling the EXACT same way with my E2180

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: brencat

Originally posted by: v8envy
My E2180 has been handling everything I've thrown at it with the greatest of ease.

The upgrade itchies are going to get pretty fierce once it's out and below $80 though...

Feeling the EXACT same way with my E2180

I'm so in the same club.

 

[Falloutboy]

what are these supposed to cost? we talking like 20 bucks cheaper than a 7200 or more?

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: nerp

Originally posted by: brencat

Originally posted by: v8envy
My E2180 has been handling everything I've thrown at it with the greatest of ease.

The upgrade itchies are going to get pretty fierce once it's out and below $80 though...

Feeling the EXACT same way with my E2180

I'm so in the same club.

Me too, oh and mine is at 3.4Ghz /brag