Is the E4400 a best buy?

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blacklotus

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Apr 26, 2006
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Is the E4400 the best buy right now for the low end of the build (no overclocking)? I think the price is just about right, $139. The next chip, the E6320, is about 5% faster on games, but almost on par with the E4400 on applications.

E4300 - $117
E4400 - $139
E6320 - $169
 
blacklotus said:
Is the E4400 the best buy right now for the low end of the build (no overclocking)? I think the price is just about right, $139. The next chip, the E6320, is about 5% faster on games, but almost on par with the E4400 on applications.

E4300 - $117
E4400 - $139
E6320 - $169
Click to expand...

No, the E4300 is better... 9x vs 10x is meaningless since you will reach the cpu limit before the fsb get limited. Mine is topping at 3.5 GHz and the fsb isn't even reaching 400 MHz ;)

 
The OP asks for value based on not overclocking and you give an answer totally based on overclocking!


The correct answer is: your premise is flawed as you _should_ be overclocking!
 
The E4300 is still the best bet. I dont know why youd want the E4400 over the E4300 in either case of overclocking or not.

Get the E4300, overclock it on stock heatsink to the speeds of the E4400 and wam bam, you got an E4400 for $117. :)
 
Hmmm, no overclocking? Read this: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/print/dualcore-roundup.html

There's a summary of average performance and a price/performance ratio near the bottom. In your price range the E4400 is the best option, as you suspected.

But I don't understand why you won't overclock. 800MHz FSB -> 1066MHz is a freebie on those chips and puts the E4400 at 2.66GHz without a sweat or voltage bump. The limit of my E4300 using the boxed Intel cooler is 3.2GHz.
 
No question here if you want to OC just a little, the E4300, that is unless you need 4 meg cache for some ungoddly reason and then it would have to be the E6320...........:eek: I'll be sticking to my little sweet OC'able E4300, best money I've spent in a long time.
 
Xilikon said:
No, the E4300 is better... 9x vs 10x is meaningless since you will reach the cpu limit before the fsb get limited. Mine is topping at 3.5 GHz and the fsb isn't even reaching 400 MHz ;)

Click to expand...

what voltage did you use to get 3.5G?
 
Why not overclock?

1) I don't know how and afraid to ruin a chip if i do.
2) Overclocking will cost more on components (ram, heatsink, and motherboard)
3) Heat issue; I'm putting everything in a micro atx case.
4) more expensive CPU = less expensive CPU + high end parts...what's the point?
5) I'm on a tight budget.

Here's my list to buy:

MB Gigabyte GA-965GM-S2
VIDEO EVGA 8800GTS 640MB
RAM Wintec Ampo 2GB DDR2-667
@ Newegg Total: $644.02

PSU Corsair 520HX
@ZipzoomFly Total: $113.66
CPU E4400
@Mwave Total: $157.56

Sub Total: $915 shipped to California

Let's say if i would've gotten the E4300 instead and overclock it, can you guys come up with a list of what parts to buy that would cost the same as the above components?
 
I know the OP isnt OCing, but the 4400 would be a better bet for a uATX board, these boards (965G) seem to be very FSB limited so the higher multiplier will come in to play. If you want to know whats the best buy for stock speeds just compare the % increase in price to the % increase in performance. If the performance gain is higher then go for it.
 
It really depends on how much you want to overclock and what your other compenents are.

For me, the E4400 is the best bet because my motherboard has a built in wall that is impossible to cross, so the higher multiplier gives the highest potential OC.

Higher multipliers aren't always better for extreme overclocking, but it puts less stress on your motherboard and ram.

PS, make sure you check the powersupply ratings and how much your videocard requires. I recently bought a new videocard and my power supply couldnt handle it. I had to buy a new power supply (same watt, thats hardly ever the issue) to use my new GPU
 
I'm still undecided between the E4300 or the E4400. I want to overclock using only the default voltages for all components. What is the best option in this case? What OC can I reasonably expect from the E4300 and the E4400?
 
Both should hit the same ballpark.

About the increased price for overclocking the E4300, it's not true since if you do 9x333, you will get 3 GHz and still match your RAM speed. You can use the stock Intel heatsink, which is good up to 3.2 GHz. IMHO, for the ppl like you, 3 GHz goal is good and easily attainable for 90% of the ppl with stock voltage or very very small bump. With a mATX motherboard, you are limited in overclocking anyway but you can hit 2.7 without issues.

The only time you need crazy money for overclocking is when you use the E6300 with the lower multiplier. You will need fast RAM, excellent motherboard able to do over 450 MHz fsb.
 
Can i overclock the E4300 to a E6400 speed with the Gigabyte 965GM-S2 motherboard? If so, do i need DDR2-800 ram or DDR2-667 is good enough? Sorry, i'm a noob.
 
it should be pretty easy to oc an e4300 to e6400 speeds. are you using an sff? because if not then there's no reason not to get a ds3 or s3 at least. as for whether to get 667 or 800 speed ram, 667 should do fine with an e4300. but if you plan to upgrade in the future you might be better off with 800 and pricewise the two are similar so if you can, definitely go with 800.
 
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