Dual core CPUs- Thermal performance

[KW1816]

I've got a homebuilt PC in a rack case that's in need of an upgrade, currently it's based around a 2.8GHZ P4. I;m planning to upgrade it to a Core 2 Duo based system. Might also replace the PSU to a quiet one

How do core 2 Duo's compare, thermally, with a 2.8GHz P4 ?? One of the things I was keen on doing was decreasing the amount of heat that the thing kicks out.

Cheers
Kevin W.

[Nelviticus]

The answer is that Core 2 Duos are generally cooler, but it depends. Have a look at this Wikipedia page to find your current CPU and look up its TDP rating:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...icroprocessors

Then look at this page to see the TDP rating of the CPU you're thinking of buying:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...icroprocessors

The higher the TDP, the hotter they run.

Regards

[KW1816]

Cheers for the link - interesting reading. So my current CPU runs at 84W TDP and the C2D I'm looking at runs at 65W TDP. Am I likely to see, or should I say feel, much real life difference in heat generated ?

Cheers
Kevin W.

[shaithis]

Yes. Non-overclocked C2Ds run extremely cool.

[icanhazburger]

My non overclocked e6400 runs between 36 and 40c idle and about 46 to 50c on full load.

Thats with stock cooling and 2x120mm fans.

I dont know how that compares with pentium 4's.

[Freelance]

Mate some chap on this or Tomshardware forums has a very nice sig that in an somehow exaggerated manner gives you the way ppl saw P4. It sounds something like that - the hell is a beowulf cluster of P4s... My former P4 rig that went to my son was "the hell" without being a cluster, but I fixed it meanwhile, as much as I could, of course. C2D is a lower dissipator (not THAT lower, but lower enough in my case), and these lower temps at stock give you a nice room for OC without bringing the temps up to alarm the fire-brigade! Plus, its easy to OC the C2Ds and keep good temps, and the "twins" give you a nicer performance.

[Dorza]

Old System:
CPU: Athlon XP Barton 3000 74W TDP
GPU: 6800GS

New System:
C2D E6420 65W TDP
GPU: 7600GT

Old Temp: 45 degrees
New Temp: <25 degrees (dual core remember)

In both systems I used the same watercooling components and setup. I was frankly astonished at the difference in temperature.

[KW1816]

Cool (no pun intended)

Thanks for the advice