Processor Suggestions

**mxmad32** · #1 28-09-2007, 08:43 PM

Well im planning on gettin this nice motherboard

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Asus-P5K-E-WIF...QQcmdZViewItem

Any recommendations on a processor to get? Cant be to much as that motherboard is costing me a fortune! 60-70 max. Can i get decent one for that price or should i go for a less expensive motherboard and a better processor?

**alex** · #2 28-09-2007, 08:52 PM

Stick with that motherboard.

Luckily for you Intel have resurrected the 'Pentium' name in the shape of the E21** series of cpu's.

Lucky Alex?

Yup, they're Pentium in name only. They're basically core 2 duo architecture with a different name tag. They do have a smaller cache but considering the price....

have a look

The E2140 runs 200mhz slower and is a lot cheaper as well. Here

**mxmad32** · #3 28-09-2007, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by alex

Stick with that motherboard.

Luckily for you Intel have resurrected the 'Pentium' name in the shape of the E21** series of cpu's.

Lucky Alex?

Yup, they're Pentium in name only. They're basically core 2 duo architecture with a different name tag. They do have a smaller cache but considering the price....

have a look

The E2140 runs 200mhz slower and is a lot cheaper as well. Here

Do i need to have a bigger budget for a good processor? Cos 1.8Ghz isnt really that much is it?

**alex** · #4 28-09-2007, 09:00 PM

It's simply not all about the processor's mhz speed Mxmad. It's primarily about the architecture of the chip.

Plus, you have to stay within budget which obviously narrows your choices down (Unless you go second hand).

**mxmad32** · #5 28-09-2007, 09:04 PM

Architecture?? In your personal opinion do you think that processor is any good for gaming? Am i buying a good motherboard but then ruining it with a half-decent processor?

**alex** · #6 28-09-2007, 09:11 PM

Simply put, when i refer to the architecture of said chip I'm not referring to what shape it is or anything like that, I'm referring to how quickly it does what it does.

If your preference is gaming (on a budget) it's a good chip. A larger cache won't help with gaming.

Obviously I'd like to see a faster core 2 in there, but it's not my money. Higher performance from a pc can only ever be good and can increase the lifespan of the system between upgrades.

At the end of the day if the pc does what you want then it's not a bad purchase is it.

**mxmad32** · #7 28-09-2007, 09:33 PM

I just want to know that it will be fast! So the big question.... will it?

I found this one which is a 2Ghz one but less money?!?!
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/132064

**alex** · #8 28-09-2007, 09:58 PM

Good find! yup, same range, 200mhz faster.

This proves the old adage: Shop around!

What games are you playing and at what resolution?

**mxmad32** · #9 28-09-2007, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by alex

Good find! yup, same range, 200mhz faster.

This proves the old adage: Shop around!

What games are you playing and at what resolution?

Not sure about the resolution, but the games i would like to play are Mx Vs ATV Unleashed, Command and Conquer 3. I dont have any more cos i dont have a decent computer to play games at the moment! I would like it to be able to play the latest first person shooter games aswell.

**alex** · #10 28-09-2007, 10:51 PM

If you're wanting to play the latest fps games (are we referring to Crysis etc) then you should be ok with that cpu.

Providing the rest of the build is balanced enough; graphics card, ram speed, ram amount (2gb for Vista, 1gb for XP). And you're using a 1280x1024 4:3 screen/ 1440x900 W-screen tft. 17" or 19"

You'll be fine for C&C 3 with that cpu, at that resolution, because even though the cpu will need to do a lot of the AI for the game I've seen a E6300 (1.86ghz) happily game at this resolution with C&C 3.

**mxmad32** · #11 29-09-2007, 06:05 PM

Is it worth paying a bit more and getting an intel core 2 duo processor like this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Intel-Core-2-D...QQcmdZViewItem

Or should i just stick with this one:
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/132064

**alex** · #12 30-09-2007, 02:53 AM

It's always worth getting a faster cpu if you can, performance is never wasted in a gaming machine because even though you may not need a certain speed cpu at the present time it will always add to the length of time you can use the machine before going down the upgrade path.

If it's within budget, get it.

**mxmad32** · #13 30-09-2007, 09:34 AM

Right now that ive read about this 'overclocking' thing, is the core 2 duo processor and that motherboard capable of overclocking? Im not 100% percent sure if i want to overclock though as i cannot afford to keep replacing parts.

**mxmad32** · #14 30-09-2007, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by mxmad32

Right now that ive read about this 'overclocking' thing, is the core 2 duo processor and that motherboard capable of overclocking? Im not 100% percent sure if i want to overclock though as i cannot afford to keep replacing parts.

Anyone??

**cyberspacegenie** · #15 30-09-2007, 01:32 PM

I have a P5K-E and it is good for overclocking. I build my first computer a couple months back based on this board and Q6600 (2.4Ghz) chip and I am very happy with it. The board temps are a little hotter than most most because of the sensor location. I am currently running at 3Ghz without any probs.

If you are planning to overclock then read around as much as you can first. i think there is a guide on here and you will be able to find others based on the P5K-E board if you google a bit. You'll just need to keep an eye on the temps until you get it stable.

Good thing about this motherboard is that if your overclock fails it will reset itself simply by turning off the computer.