what frequency should e2180 cpu oc'ed to play latest games?

[peonyu]

Highest you will likely get out of that chip without using watercooling is probably 3.2ghz, if you really want to stick with your motherboard I would look into buying a 45nm C2d or quad core chip, those tap out at 4.5ghz with a e0 chip.

 

[cbn]

Are you in the US? If so, consider buying used components. I've picked up e8400 cpus for $40 and 2x2GB DDR2 for $30 off eBay. Very easy/cheap to upgrade your system to a lot more power that way. (A stock e8400 is going to be faster than a hugely overclocked e2180.)

Yep, used Core 2's are very cheap.

But OP (if going that route) I would seriously consider getting a new heat sink fan (if buying bare processor) rather than re-using the e2180 cooler. (re: e2180 hsf was rather small and had an aluminum base rather than the copper base/beefier coolers that came with the larger cache Core 2 duo/quad models)

 

[LagunaX]

Sad but true but the lowliest Sandy or better yet Ivy will blow any Penryn away.

I remember reading a review where an i3-2100 ran neck in neck With a q9650:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/49?vs=289

 

[cbn]

Sad but true but the lowliest Sandy or better yet Ivy will blow any Penryn away.

Here is a bench comparing E8600 and i3-2100:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/54?vs=289

The i3-2100 is marginally faster in 5 out of 7 games, much much faster in one game, and marginally slower in 2 out of 7 games.

....But if the OP bought something like a e8400 it could be overclocked to a level beyond the stock e8600 speed. (Whereas Sandy/Ivy bridge dual cores cannot be overclocked.)

Unfortunately the OP also needs memory (adding to the total cost of the upgrade).

I guess it really depends on the specific game he wants to play... (eg, BF3 64 multiplayer is very popular and benchmarks I have seen indicate it does better with a quad core, but apparently is still playable with a fast dual core.)

......and his budget (a Sandy/Ivy Bridge i3 will require a new mobo, RAM kit and Windows License....plus his time (labor) to install.)


.

 

[SPBHM]

3GB is acceptable for most games,

this old test should help you understand the L2 cache impact on the Core 2
http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,...ache-test-Seven-CPUs-reviewed/Reviews/?page=5

so even at 3GHz this CPU is significantly slower than a e8400, you would need something like 3.8GHz to be comparable I think.

a $50 G1610 (ivy bridge dual core 2.6GHz 2MB L3) would be a good upgrade I think.