First Post - Intel Dual Core Question and DDR2 Question

Chicago Wine Geek

I everyone, thanks for reading this.

I'm about to get a new system - Dell XPS410. I want configure this for speed just because I want to. Here are my two questions for all you guys that know much more than I do.. I'm not running any high intensity apps and am not a gamer, just want a system that I won't need to upgrade in 3 weeks....

1.) Is there a noticable speed improvement by going with the Intel E6600 processor with 4MB L2 Cache instead of sticking with a E6400 with 2MB?

2.) The RAM on this box is dual channel DDR2 at 667MHz. I've seen all kinds of new speedy RAM designed for high end gaming that runs faster. Is it correct to assume that faster RAM won't make a difference based on this system and motherboard?

Thanks in advance.

Blue|Fusion · Posted: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:24:30 Post Subject:

While there may be a noticable difference in speed between the E6600 and E6400, the E6400 still runs circles around the Pentium 4's and Pentium D's. Go with the E6400.

I use DDR2-800 RAM, but the motherboard in that system may not support anything higher than DDR2-667, anyway. If you're not using memory stressing applications and games, there should not be a noticeable difference.

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:40:14 Post Subject:

Hi - and welcome. Do you have a link to your configuration of that system?

And, what do you plan to do with it? Having fast stuff for the sake of it is cool, but picking between those processors may be easier if it is understood what you might do with them.

Wave

Chicago Wine Geek · Posted: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:56:18 Post Subject:

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

Video editing....depending on what you consider video editing, it can be pretty CPU intensive, so the better CPU might give you a boost, not sure exactly how much though, never tried it. I saw a major boost going from a 1MB cache X2 to the 2MB cache X2. Like taking 8-10 hours to render a full DVD to 2 - 3 hours.

As for the memory, the only way I'd get the faster memory is if the board will support it, otherwise it's a bit of a waste. Likewise, if it'll support EPP memory I'd get that, as it will auto-overclock the memory to the best possible speed. On my system, took 800MHz ram to 1055MHz, whcih gave a good boost in performance. LIke it's mentioned though, difference between 667 and 800MHz RAM might not be worth the price increase (unless it's fairly low).

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:05:08 Post Subject:

Well, one good thing is the Dell price to upgrade from E6400 to E6600 is fair. They want $100 more, and looking online shows the retail chips have about the same price difference (maybe slightly less), so at least they aren't ripping you off.

Higher clock speed and more cache would be nice, but it doesn't sound like you really need it.

EDIT: Anandtech says the XPs 410 can support DDR2 800 MHz, although the timings aren't aggressive:

http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=2834&p=2

And you'd have to buy your own, once delivered!

Chicago Wine Geek · Posted: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:27:30 Post Subject:

Thanks Big Bruin! How about the big question (keeping in mind I'm not a gamer) Vista or XP? I've already lost hours of my life reading countless forum pages on this. Most concern upgrading rather than buying a brand new box. Your thoughts?

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:31:56 Post Subject:

I'm not prepared to bother with Vista yet. But, if they pre-install it and configure it for everything they include, it would be a different story.

Chicago Wine Geek · Posted: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:36:36 Post Subject:

Bottom line: If you were buying a brand new system, would you go with Vista pre-installed and configured, or stick with XP pro?

acruxksa · Posted: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:48:40 Post Subject:

Since there are likely no options to overclock the system, I would get the e6600 and stick with the stock DDR2 667Mhz memory. I would however make sure you have at least 2GB of ram, even if that means only getting the e6400. Although, you could likely buy the system with 512mb of ram and upgrade it yourself through another vendor and save some $$$$