2 choices of Duos

[Tystrasza]

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115003

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M shared
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004

First, what does 2m 4m mean? Will that make a difference is selecting a motherboard? Also, how big is the difference between these 2? I dont want to spend 500 on the 2.6ghz but i dont want the cheapest 1.8 for like 170$, so these 2 are the ones in the middle.

 

[Geoff]

The E6600 has 4MB of L2 cache, the lower-end models only have 2MB. So besides that, and having a higher clockspeed, theres no other major differences.

 

[Tystrasza]

But they would all work on the same mobo right? The M doesnt make a difference in working together?

 

[diduknowthat]

yes, they would all work on the same mobo. The M means megabyte, 2M/4M refers to the amount of L2 cache each processor has.

 

[Tystrasza]

oh, k thanks Just need to find a mobo that works with them

Any ideas for between 100-200$ that are great for games that work with the duo? PCI-e x16 of course. All the boards i find only have 1 x16 slot, do i need 2 you think?

 

[bigsaucybob]

oh, k thanks Just need to find a mobo that works with them

Any ideas for between 100-200$ that are great for games that work with the duo? PCI-e x16 of course. All the boards i find only have 1 x16 slot, do i need 2 you think?

Look for boards on newegg.com with a 975X chipset. Having an SLI or Crossfire board is really preference.

SLI or Crossfire is probably cheaper since, for example, you buy a 7900GT now. By the time the 7900GT is outdated, it will be cheaper to add on a new one rather to get the latest card. In most cases.

 

[Cromewell]

Having an SLI or Crossfire board is really preference.

I disagree, IMO Crossfire/SLI is extremely overrated. The price of one top performer now + the same card once it is 'outdated' is almost always more then 1 of the next top of the line and the new top of the line will perform better in most cases.

 

[bigsaucybob]

I disagree, IMO Crossfire/SLI is extremely overrated. The price of one top performer now + the same card once it is 'outdated' is almost always more then 1 of the next top of the line and the new top of the line will perform better in most cases.

I find it to be overrated as well, but some might disagree. I find it incredibly pointless when people are building a computer and configure two 7600GT's right off the bat.

I just didn't want to put it down right away.

 

[Tystrasza]

How about this?

ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131031

 

[Mankz_91]

Go for an Asus P5B Deluxe or a Gigabyte DS3...

seem to be the pick of the boards ATM.

 

[Rambo]

I would recommend a Gigabyte DS3 or DQ6. I have had no problems with my DS3, and it overclocks like a dream (with the right RAM )

 

[Dr Studly]

get hte one with 4m

 

[ETSA]

How much of a difference is there between a 2mb and 4mb cache?

I am also torn bewteen buying one slightly cheaper and spending elsewhere.

 

[Tystrasza]

isee more negative comments and problems with those other mobos then with the ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe..

 

[Rambo]

How much of a difference is there between a 2mb and 4mb cache?

I am also torn bewteen buying one slightly cheaper and spending elsewhere.

Not much... http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=4

An average of 3.5% extra performance. Worth it? I don't think so... :/

 

[Jet]

The main problems with reviews about the DS3 is the people get the wrong memory modules, and then blame the motherboard.

 

[Rambo]

Yup. You need RAM which can work at 1.8v. RAM Compatability list here (although, I'm sure there are lots more): http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList/MemorySupport/motherboard_memory_ga-965p-ds3.pdf