E6400 or E6600

[AMDXP]

I'm just curious what the 2MB extra cache has to add? I'll be upgrading in about 1 - 2 months.

Thanks..

I'll be upgrading middle of the year most likely.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 2MB $224

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.40GHz 4MB $316

 

[kidstechno]

Not much, only shows difference in non-gaming applications.
This will help: http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2802&p=1

 

[AMDXP]

So slim to none, would I be better off saving 100$ and getting a 6400 and OCing it ?

In your guys ([H]ard|Forumers) opinion ?

Becuase, I need a new PSU over my powmax, it just stinks.. and I have Kingston HyperX 3500 ram.. Will I need new ram?

I'll also need a new motherboard and video-card (I have AGP PNY 6800GT)..


I'm thinking I might just build a shuttle, becuase I'll be heading off to college next year.


PS: Thanks for the review.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Read their in-depth review. If you do lots of media encoding it's worth it (10% performance bump). If not, then I'd save your $100.

 

[GonzoP]

The Anand's article leaves the impression that the 2MB models are good enough which I'm sure they are. The real move maybe should be made to the 6300 as it seems to top out just about where the 6400 does. Anand did suggest for a longer term upgrade the 4MB models would be justified from a pricing standpoint though.

 

[Brahmzy]

E6600 has a higher multiplier, which makes high speed a little easier to achieve...

 

[dark_reign]

The Anand's article leaves the impression that the 2MB models are good enough which I'm sure they are. The real move maybe should be made to the 6300 as it seems to top out just about where the 6400 does. Anand did suggest for a longer term upgrade the 4MB models would be justified from a pricing standpoint though.

Yep. You could get a cheaper Conroe now and upgrade to a faster one in a year or so. I plan on getting a E6600 because I plan on using it for at least 2-3 years. I think the 4MB cache is worth the extra cost in the long run.

 

[shmitty]

Is the 1066mhz worth the extra 200 on the price of the ram or would it be better to go w/ the 800mhz? I plan on going w/ the E6600 and will start building here in about a month.

 

[Donnie27]

Is the 1066mhz worth the extra 200 on the price of the ram or would it be better to go w/ the 800mhz? I plan on going w/ the E6600 and will start building here in about a month.

NO!

 

[InorganicMatter]

Is the 1066mhz worth the extra 200 on the price of the ram or would it be better to go w/ the 800mhz? I plan on going w/ the E6600 and will start building here in about a month.

Because of the Intel FSB, the RAM is only going to run at 533MHz anyway. The only reason you buy 800/1066MHz RAM is for overclocking.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 2MB $224
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.40GHz 4MB $316

Those prices are what the stores pay to stock Conroe. You'll probably end up paying $250 for the E6400 and $350 for the E6600, since the retails have to make a profit as well.

 

[Donnie27]

Because of the Intel FSB, the RAM is only going to run at 533MHz anyway. The only reason you buy 800/1066MHz RAM is for overclocking.


Those prices are what the stores pay to stock Conroe. You'll probably end up paying $250 for the E6400 and $350 for the E6600, since the retails have to make a profit as well.

You mean 1066MHz FSB effective with a base speed of 266.7MHz right?

 

[InorganicMatter]

You mean 1066MHz FSB effective with a base speed of 266.7MHz right?

You and I know that, but I was trying to keep it simple for the OP by telling him "Go buy DDR2-533."

 

[nobody_here]

Because of the Intel FSB, the RAM is only going to run at 533MHz anyway. The only reason you buy 800/1066MHz RAM is for overclocking.


Those prices are what the stores pay to stock Conroe. You'll probably end up paying $250 for the E6400 and $350 for the E6600, since the retails have to make a profit as well.

those would be some of the highest retail CPU profit margins i have ever seen, as i happen to know that major retailers like Newegg and Monarch only see about $5 profit per CPU, but then again, that's with any old AMD or Intel CPU that is in high supply with normal demand, so i guess this could be the case

also FYI, these prices

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 2MB $224
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.40GHz 4MB $316

are MSRP, not what the retailer pays for them, if my guess is correct, the retailers are actually paying $5-$10 under what they end up selling them for, so if a 6600 costs you or me $350, i expect the retailer paid $320 or so per CPU instead of the $316

to the OP, i would grab a E6300 and push it up as far as you can safely go, couple that with some good overclocking memory, because if you aren't satisfied with the results or 3 months later decide you just want a 4Mb cache model CPU, then you will have absolutely no problem getting a 100% return on your investment

 

[AMDXP]

This new build will need to last 2-3 years at best! Maybe 4.....

Do they have any shuttle boards yet? I can't seem to find any.

 

[nooh]

I have bought the E6300 and will be building it tommorrow and hopefully will start to overclock it at this time tommorrow. Cant wait.

Its a OEM which i bought from scan pc

 

[GoldenTiger]

also FYI, these prices

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 2MB $224
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.40GHz 4MB $316

are MSRP, not what the retailer pays for them, if my guess is correct

Actually, they're the 1,000 unit TRAY OEM prices without warranty/box/heatsink.

 

[Donnie27]

You and I know that, but I was trying to keep it simple for the OP by telling him "Go buy DDR2-533."

OK!

 

[Donnie27]

Actually, they're the 1,000 unit TRAY OEM prices without warranty/box/heatsink.

One of the guys at Tank guys made that point very well. He said they Paid $324 for the first boatch and $333 for the second so they priced them a little of over $350. $316 is quoted for Ingram Micro and example. One sites slipped and posted on their site that they paid $320. I had thought the MSRP was $316.

 

[InorganicMatter]

Actually, they're the 1,000 unit TRAY OEM prices without warranty/box/heatsink.

I get it. That price is what people like Dell pay to get these things, is that it?