Thinking about upgrading

**Keiron** · 03-09-08, 12:37 PM

Kind of glad I waited, seems I can get some DDR2 1000 for the $10 more than the DDR2 800. Suppose to be able to up it to 1066 no problem (don't know why it isn't to begin with).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231145

Might go with that instead.

**Keiron** · 03-12-08, 01:27 PM

Alright, I have been looking around a bit trying to find the E8400 and I've been seeing some places have an E8400 and an E8400A.

http://www.nextwarehouse.com/item/?6...O_GHZ_CACHE_MB
http://www.nextwarehouse.com/item/?6..._DUO_PROCESSOR

I have to ask since I can't seem to figure it out myself, but what is the difference? Typically the E8400A seems to be listed as cheaper. I was trying to research it and I read somewhere (forget where now though) that Intel claims its the same processor and there is no difference. So I'm wondering, is it a packaging difference? I can't find out if the E8400A comes with the same contents as the E8400 (such as the heatsink).

I'm sorry for asking something that is probably so simple and silly but I'm really curious since it makes no sense to me to have the same chip with 2 differnet pricings/listings on the same site even. I'm not even sure the E8400 is worth it as I'm not sure the heating issues have been resolved (although I haven't seen any people complaining about it recently).

**SapiensErus** · 03-12-08, 01:30 PM

The first batch of E8400 CPUs had an error. I forget what it was specifically, but they fixed it. I imagine that is the difference... SFG posted something about in one of these threads. I will see what I can dig up!

**SapiensErus** · 03-12-08, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by sfg-Groove

the e8400 is faster than the e6850.. even tho they are both at 3.0ghz the e8400 will out perform it.
But like i said in my previous post some e8400's have temperature diode problems and they do not read temps right... I would either wait until a new batch comes out or get the e6850.

So that might be what the issue is. Google it!

**Keiron** · 03-12-08, 07:07 PM

I've googled it and it seems some people are saying it is getting too hot, others are saying it just needs a better cooling device, others say it's just when you OC that causes the problems (which I don't plan to do), others say it's the program you use to read the temp, and some more still say that nothing is wrong with it. I've seen old posts and new ones and can't seem to find out if it's fixed or not.

I'd assume though since a lot of places are out of stock and have thousands of people waiting to get one, it isn't that much of a problem if it's even a problem at all. I would think that if there was a problem, there were be plenty of chips available and there seems to be an extreme shortage at the moment.

**Keiron** · 03-12-08, 10:52 PM

Wow...I did the Auto-Notify from ZipZoomFly. I got an e-mail at 9:17pm tonight saying it was in-stock. I checked just now at 10:50pm...and their site says they are out of stock...

So either they lied, their system is flawed, or this CPU is so hot right now, they sold out really quickly...

**MaKe_OuT_33** · 03-12-08, 11:41 PM

i think the issue is inside the device, it is giving false core temp. readings. it isnt really getting too hot, just says it is.

**Keiron** · 03-16-08, 11:53 AM

Alright final purchase:

E6850
G.Skill 2x2 GB DDR2 800
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L

I decided not to wait on the E8400 as the more I wait, the more I've seen the price go up. NewEgg removed it for awhile and it's back not (still out of stock) but it's only $10 cheaper than the E6850 now. Also that way I don't have to worry about the heating issue (or heat reading issue) if that was the case as I never found out if it was fixed or not.

I also decided not to go with the G.Skill DDR2 1000 because it is an odd speed for RAM, even if it can be clocked to 1066 easily. The DDR2 800 will suffice for now as it is still an improvement over my current set up anyways.

The Gigabyte board appears to have exactly what I need and will allow for some upgrades later on if I need/want some with the same board.

Thank you all for your info and support. Hopefully everything will be here by at least Wednesday and I should be able to get everything set up and running either that night or Thursday. :9

**RottnJP** · 03-16-08, 12:07 PM

If you are looking for maximum value, the AMD Black editions are real nice, like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103194 I like those better than the cheaper Intel chips.

If you are looking for max performance and/or over-clocking, then you're right on the money with a wolfdale core 2 duo or a Q6600.

If you've got the $500, I'd probably stick with what you're planning on, but if you need to make both things squeeze into the budget you can still get a nice upgrade of CPU, mobo, and memory for $225-$250. (Also, you know that 4GB's won't do you any good if you're running a 32 bit OS, right? Might as well stick with 2GB)

EDITED TO ADD- OOPS! SORRY, WE CROSS-POSTED!