HDI said:
Hi,
I want tot build a new pc for running ubuntu 8.10. In my first step
I'm thinking of getting a gigabyte GA-G31M-S2L motherboard and
processor Intel core 2 duo E4600 or an Intel core 2 E7300. In the
local store they have the same price. My first option was the E4600
but what about the E7300, is this one better or should I stay with the
E4600.
Thx
Table of processors
http://processorfinder.intel.com/List.aspx?ParentRadio=All&ProcFam=2558&SearchKey=
SLB9X 2.66 GHz E7300 2 1066 MHz 45nm M0 3MB LGA775 06
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLB9X
SLA94 2.40 GHz E4600 2 800 MHz 65nm M0 2MB LGA775 06
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLA94
Considerations
1) Performance at stock speed
2) Ratio of nominal FSB to max FSB possible on motherboard (for overclocking)
Also, memory ratios available so memory clock isn't too high.
2) Available headroom on Vcore for overclocking (45nm has 1.4V or so limitation).
The life of a 45nm processor can be shortened if Vcore is too high.
There are some comments here on using the GA-G31M-S2L. You should
be able to use the results, to decide what the best starting conditions
should be for overclocking. A couple posters used E5200's. And one
poster noted the Northbridge got smoking hot when overclocking
(which might be due to the graphics core in the Northbridge getting
overclocked too?). It could be, that a BSEL mod might work better on it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16813128078
If the only consideration was stock operation, then the E7300 above
has better numbers. The higher FSB means a bit more memory bandwidth
may be available (FSB less of a bottleneck).
This is an E5200 for comparison. (It is in the table of
Pentium Dual-Core Desktop processors.) FSB800 is being selected,
with the express purpose of overclocking it. This has less cache
than the E7300.
SLAY7 2.5 GHz E5200 2 800 MHz 45nm M0 2MB LGA775 06
http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLAY7
These are my test results from my overclocking tests. I have an
E4700 and a $70 motherboard. Comparing the first result to the second,
shows how much difference the higher FSB is making. The ratio between
the second and third set, shows the effect of core speed. Core speed
is a more important factor. I wasn't able to test any other memory
settings, because my chipset is so bad. Memory was running at
CAS3 (as low as the chipset supports).
SuperPI Memtest 1.65
1M (sec) Bandwidth
lower is (MB/sec)
better
200 x 13 = 2.60GHz, FSB800, DDR2-533, Single channel 24.05 2203
Dual channel 22.87 2668
266 x 10 = 2.66GHz, FSB1066, DDR2-533, Single channel 23.47 ----
Dual channel 22.52 ----
266 x 13 = 3.46GHz, FSB1066, DDR2-533, Single channel 19.37 2419
Dual channel 18.42 3305
For comparison, my AthlonXP 3200+ does SuperPI in 45 seconds. And a P4
running at 3.1GHz, is in the same ballpark (50 seconds with AV software
running in the background). So the Core2 does have a better benchmark.
Paul
