Intel P4C or P4E which one to buy

[tweeve2002]

I am upgrading my P4 1.8Ghz to a 3Ghz processor. I am looking at the P4C 3Ghz with the northwood core or the P4E 3Ghz with the Prescott core.

I have a Asus P4P800 Deluxe motherboard so it will support the prescott, I already checked, I already have a heatsink and fan that will work, it is a Thermalright SP-94 heatpipe. I am looking at OC the CPU a little.

I am likeing the 1MB of L2 cache on the Prescott, but I do know it runs hotter than the Northwood, and I'm not sure how well the prescott OCs.

If you guys could give me some advice it would be great.

 

[ForceCalibur]

Prescotts Suck.
All you need to know right now.
They will be good when they hit like 4 gigahertz or more, but for now, they sux.

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: ForceCalibur
Prescotts Suck.
All you need to know right now.
They will be good when they hit like 4 gigahertz or more, but for now, they sux.

I Second that plus

Summer + Prescott = lots of heat

 

[tweeve2002]

got it...I'll stay with the northwood core for now then.

 

[charloscarlies]

Definitely go with Northwood for now. If you are planning on overclocking try and find a 2.8C m0 stepping. They overclock quite a bit better than the 3.0C's. A lot of people are hitting 3.5 ghz on stock voltages.

 

[jhu]

you could always get the 2.4ghz prescott and overclock that to 3.2ghz. that'd be the least expensive thing to do.

 

[Big Lar]

The new Prescott stepping is due out within a week, tho for all practical purposes, the Northwood is a better choice all the way around.

 

[SonicIce]

a 3.0 prescott is slower than a 3.0 northwood. i think

 

[jagec]

for right now, Northwood > all other intel products.

(except Xeon of course...don't know what kind of core they use)

 

[caz67]

Definitely go with the Northwood.

 

[jhites]

Since you mention that you intend to OC, go with a 2.8C Northwood. You will find with that SP94 that you will get a much better OC and stay well under the heat specs. Just be sure that you can run your ram at 1:1 ratio for the best performance.

 

[imported_NoGodForMe]

Agree with the Northwood.
But sometimes I don't under the OC logic. I just purchased a 3.4c for my new system, and here are general observations I have. This is all IMHO.
Most can OC a 2.4 to 3.0, but then you're heating up your case. The 2.4 was the OC dream like the celeron of the past. Nice to get a huge OC, but now you can just buy a 3.0 and have the same thing.
Most can OC a 2.8 to 3.3.
Now, if you're going to spend money, why not buy a 3.4c and OC it to 3.8?

Prices from Newegg.com
2.8c = $178
3.0c = $214
3.4c = $415

Yes, the 3.4c is double the price of the 3.0c, but most can OC it to 3.8, and that's what I plan to do.
If you don't have the extra $200 to spend, then I can understand. But in the long run, you'll want the 3.4c.

 

[Nebor]

A p4 2.4 @ 3.4ghz generates the same amount of heat as a p4 3.4ghz @ 3.4ghz, assuming you haven't changed the voltages.

 

[Pauli]

Originally posted by: NoGodForMe
Agree with the Northwood.
But sometimes I don't under the OC logic. I just purchased a 3.4c for my new system, and here are general observations I have. This is all IMHO.
Most can OC a 2.4 to 3.0, but then you're heating up your case. The 2.4 was the OC dream like the celeron of the past. Nice to get a huge OC, but now you can just buy a 3.0 and have the same thing.
Most can OC a 2.8 to 3.3.
Now, if you're going to spend money, why not buy a 3.4c and OC it to 3.8?

Prices from Newegg.com
2.8c = $178
3.0c = $214
3.4c = $415

Yes, the 3.4c is double the price of the 3.0c, but most can OC it to 3.8, and that's what I plan to do.
If you don't have the extra $200 to spend, then I can understand. But in the long run, you'll want the 3.4c.

First of all, the Northwoods seem to be maxing out with air cooling at about 3.5 to 3.6. Secondly, a system running a 2.8c@3.5 will be faster than a 3.4c@3.5 because the FSB will be running at a faster speed. Of course, your memory must also be capable of running at that higher speed.

 

[tweeve2002]

I plan on getting the 3.0c and OC to 3.2...I want to start with a 3.0 at least I got some geil 3200 DDR and it is working fine for now but I dont want to OC the RAM to much.