Updated:Any reputable sites review Intel's Pentium and Celeron Dual Core CPUs?

[Bateluer]

Specifically, the Celeron Dual Core E3x00 series and Pentium Dual Core E5x00 series. Wolfdale core

My main desktop has a Wolfdale C2D E8500, which runs very well. I'm looking to do a quick and cheap upgrade to the A64 X2 4000 in my alternate machine, re-using as many of the parts as possible. A cheap case, decent PSU, microATX motherboard, and E5700 can be had for ~170 plus shipping, and that was with only a 30 second check at Newegg.

I know both of these chips easily outperform the X2 4000 in this machine now, but I'm curious by how much. Is it worth it to spend the extra 20 bucks for the E5700 vs the E3400?

This machine is used as a back up machine for when the main machine is incapacitated, streaming HD Netflix, watching movies, and occasional gaming for titles that are too much of a hassle to get running under 7 64bit. I've also played with various Linux distros and used it for Seti@Home.

I don't want to get into too many details on the project in the CPU forum, but are there are reputable sites with solid numbers comparing the E3x00 series to the E5x00 series? Some A64 X2 numbers would be extremely helpful too.

 

[Spikesoldier]

are we talking s939?

that would be a good upgrade. i did a 3000+ winchester @ 2.5 to a e2160 a while ago, and that was quite a kick in the pants at even 2.4. the e2160 made it to 3.0 without issue in a p35 board.

looking back, most 65nm pentiums and celerons should be able to do 3.0.

now we have access to 45nm models, i see people nearing 4.0 on those. i think the most appealing one would be the 45nm 2mb pentiums, especially if you are willing to OC.

 

[Topweasel]

Specifically, the Celeron Dual Core E3x00 series and Pentium Dual Core E5x00 series. Wolfdale core

My main desktop has a Wolfdale C2D E8500, which runs very well. I'm looking to do a quick and cheap upgrade to the A64 X2 4000 in my alternate machine, re-using as many of the parts as possible. A cheap case, decent PSU, microATX motherboard, and E5700 can be had for ~170 plus shipping, and that was with only a 30 second check at Newegg.

I know both of these chips easily outperform the X2 4000 in this machine now, but I'm curious by how much. Is it worth it to spend the extra 20 bucks for the E5700 vs the E3400?

This machine is used as a back up machine for when the main machine is incapacitated, streaming HD Netflix, watching movies, and occasional gaming for titles that are too much of a hassle to get running under 7 64bit. I've also played with various Linux distros and used it for Seti@Home.

I don't want to get into too many details on the project in the CPU forum, but are there are reputable sites with solid numbers comparing the E3x00 series to the E5x00 series? Some A64 X2 numbers would be extremely helpful too.

You can just search for the A64 numbers. Toms and Anand should be full of them and the 4000+ should be on many of them. As for the Pentuim's/Celerons. They are generally only benched at release speeds and not tracked later because at their prices and target markets actual performance numbers are of little consequence and added speed/specs are more for the sales man then for added performance.

That said as a generality (which applies more for gaming but still) you gain more for jumping generations then you would upgrading within a given family.

If I had to make a guess there will be about 10% difference in performance in general benchmarking between the two Wolfsdale options (400Mhz and 1MB cache differnce) and since they are based off of Conroe both being about 30%-35% faster then an old X2.

Closest I could come up with is this.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Prod....36.37.38.39.40.41.42.43.44.45.46.47.48.49.50

Same speed as the E3400 but cache of the E5700. Against the closest to the 4000+ I could find. Surprisingly it was a much closer fight then I thought.

 

[Zap]

A cheap case, decent PSU, microATX motherboard, and E5700 can be had for ~170 plus shipping, and that was with only a 30 second check at Newegg.

Do you have a Micro Center near you? They've been having Core i3 deals with motherboard for $100-120 lately, and you can get a $35 Powerspec case/PSU if you aren't concerned with PSU quality.

 

[Blastman]

X-bitlabs has a recent review with both the E5700 and Celeron E3500

value CPU's

You can cross reference these with faster processors in the

mainstream processors review.

 

[fuzzymath10]

Agree with Zap. Make your e8500 your backup, and get a SB for your new primary machine. Old S775 stuff is too expensive for what you get, unless you buy used.

Since a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo can software decode AVC blu-rays, just about anything out there now can handle what you need for media. However, games do benefit from more cache, which is reduced in Celerons and Pentiums. Your E8500 would do very well here.

 

[Bateluer]

are we talking s939?

AM2

Agree with Zap. Make your e8500 your backup, and get a SB for your new primary machine. Old S775 stuff is too expensive for what you get, unless you buy used.

I am planning a major upgrade to the E8500 desktop, but its going to take a LOT more than 170 bucks to do what I want. Its on the pipeline, but not for a while. Thanks to console oriented game development, that machine handles everything I throw at it fine. It did just have a Seagate 7200.11 drive fail, but warranty replaceable.

Thanks the AT and X-bit links guys. I'll review them.

 

[Bateluer]

Oh bloody hell. This combo is on the Newegg Shell Shocker. And today is payday too.

I'm sorely tempted to jump on it. PSU seems a bit weak, but shoot, for 210. Case, mobo, CPU, 4GB DDR3, PSU, and cooler. Not bad.

Edit - Looks like that mobo also supports pretty much all the currently shipping Athlon II X2s, X3s, X4s, the Phenom II X2s, X3s, X4s, and X6s. Easier upgrade later. Bump the PSU and drop in a considerably more power CPU a year later.

1x APEX TX-381-C Black Steel Micro ATX Tower Computer Case (Model:TX-381-C)

$32.99
1x ASUS M4A78LT-M AM3 AMD 760G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard (Model:M4A78LT-M)

$69.99
1x RAIDMAX RX-380K 380W ATX12V Power Supply (Model:RX-380K)

$16.98
1x AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ADX245OCK23GM (Model:ADX245OCK23GM)

$54.99
1x Patriot LX Series Class 10 8GB Micro SDHC Flash Card Model PSF8GMCSDHC10 (ModelSF8GMCSDHC10)

$22.99
1x Patriot 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model PSD34G1333K (ModelSD34G1333K)

$39.99
1x Thermaltake A4022 92mm CPU Cooler (Model:A4022)

$14.99