What to replace my E2160 with?

[nOOky]

I'm looking to upgrade my spare computer a bit. I was thinking of replacing the cpu and probably the mobo. I have good memory that I'll probably keep in it, unless I go ddr3.

Usually there is an outstanding overclocker out there, like the E2160 was in it's time. I just have not kept up on the latest and greatest cpu's lately.
I'd go quad core or tri core if I could, I don't know what's the best bang for the buck right now. Say $200 total for both pieces.
Suggestions?

 

[myocardia]

Bang for buck right now has to be the E5200 & E5300's, at least as far as the cheap chips. I don't recommend spending money upgrading backup systems, though. I would recommend saving your money until you can afford to upgrade your "main" system, then making your E8500 your new backup system.

edit: Then again, just spending $67 for an E5200 or $70 for an E5300 that will give you a higher overclock than your E2160 isn't a horrible idea, either.

 

[cubeless]

scoot the 8500 into the ip35 and get a 9550 (hopefully at microcenter) for the ud3p... ought to get close to what the p45 gets on the p35 and 3.8 or more on the 9550...

 

[nOOky]

scoot the 8500 into the ip35 and get a 9550 (hopefully at microcenter) for the ud3p... ought to get close to what the p45 gets on the p35 and 3.8 or more on the 9550...

I am under the impression that an 8500 at 4.5 is faster than a 9550 in most games...?
The E2160 seems to be slowed down by it's cpu. I just put the 4870 in there, it was in my 8500 pc, and for the same resolution it's almost 25% slower than the 8500 computer. I use both computers a lot, and I'd like to have the spare not be so slow as the other one.
1920 x 1080 on both btw.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

You could get by just replacing the CPU. In which case, I think you should go with either the E5300 or the E7500. Overclock them as high as you can. If you can get them near 4 GHz, they will be fast enough to push the HD4870 to its full potential like your E8500 does.

Otherwise, I think you should go with the Phenom II X3 720 BE and a compatible board and overclock it.

 

[cubeless]

I am under the impression that an 8500 at 4.5 is faster than a 9550 in most games...?
The E2160 seems to be slowed down by it's cpu. I just put the 4870 in there, it was in my 8500 pc, and for the same resolution it's almost 25% slower than the 8500 computer. I use both computers a lot, and I'd like to have the spare not be so slow as the other one.
1920 x 1080 on both btw.

smaller cache and slower bus makes the 2160 a chunk slower at same clock than the 8500... especially for big ai/graphics games...

and i bet you'd find the 9550 @ 3.8 to be just as fast as the e8500 seat of the pants wise... win7/newer drivers/newer games take more advantage or 4 cores...

and i just don't see it being worth buying any 2 core chip anymore... and to go to a 2.5ghz class 5xxx or 7xxx and maybe not get past 3.5 or to pay >$100 for a 3.0 class one makes no sense to me...

it's especially compelling if you live near a microcenter and can get the 9550 for $180 otd... and the ease of upgrade is an added plus... i've gotten 3.6 on the stock cooler out of the last couple 9550's i got...

 

[cmdrdredd]

scoot the 8500 into the ip35 and get a 9550 (hopefully at microcenter) for the ud3p... ought to get close to what the p45 gets on the p35 and 3.8 or more on the 9550...

For the record the IP35 boards do not play well with 45nm cpus newer than C1 stepping. Some have had it work, some have had nothing good to say about the experience.

 

[nOOky]

I will probably pop the 8500 in the Abit board and see how it goes, and go from there.