Are Wolfdale 45nm CPU's any good?

[nick1]

I'm building a new system and contemplating using one of the new E8000 series Wolfdale processors. Has anyone got any experience of these? If they overclock well I'll probably go for the E8200 and save some money.

[Flewis]

They do seem a little variable. Ive seen some E8200's at 3.9GHz and some only reaching 3.4. The thing about the 45nm chips is that they wont accept the same levels of voltage as the 65nm chips. People who have been running their voltages too high to achieve high overclocks have found their chips dying rather quickly. I would recommend the Q6600 as it is currently the best price/performer but will require a decent cooler for reasonable overclocks.

[nick1]

Thanks for your reply. Will a Q6600 overclock past 3.0 GHz which is the stock speed of an E8400 and does the FSB speed count for anything?

[Flewis]

FSB is what you change when you overclock, you are actually at a disadvantage with a higher FSB as you get a lower multiplier which means the mobo needs to run a higher FSB to OC which can cause instability. High multi helps in overclocking. A Q6600 will get past 3GHz with ease.

[Ommid]

Thanks for your reply. Will a Q6600 overclock past 3.0 GHz which is the stock speed of an E8400 and does the FSB speed count for anything?

Easily, wont even need a voltage step up, what you need to remember though is that 3ghz on a Q6600 isnt the same as 3.0Ghz on a E Series as one is 65nm and the other is 45nm

[nick1]

Thanks guys. I guess it's the Q6600 then

[UseItNow]

Good choice, mate.

[Link97]

Good choice, mate.

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