E2160 or better?

[scotty]

Im gonna send my order to build a pc in the morning but I wonder if I could stretch to a more expensive CPU, would it be worth it?

Im looking at a E2160 for £42.64 but is there better chip in a similar price bracket?

thanks

[scotty]

I should add that this is a budget P.C

nvidia 9600gt
gigabyte GA-P31_DS3L
2GB Corsair XMS2 PC2 - 6400 (4-4-4-12)
WD Caviar SE16 (250GB)
500W P.S.U etc....

[Wizzard1]

Get Patriot memory, ending with LLC. Corsair is a bit pricier, and not much better. The Patriot DDR2-800 I have can do DDR2-1000 with ease!

Also, an E2200 is only a few $$ more expensive, and gives you a higher multiplier. Go for it instead.

Also, P35 Gigabyte board. Same DS3L, though.

[Cobracon]

Wizzard1's recommendation is right on the mark. Also, the 'P35' boards are very good at overclocking if that sort of thing interests you. I bought an e2160 (before the e2180 & e2200 were available) and have it running @ 3.01GHz (1333 FSB) with stock cooling; motherboard is a GA-P35-DS3R. BTW, it's extremely stable.

[Guest]

the p35 is much more expensive and I know i can O/C the E2160 to 3 GHz with no probs with my current setup. As for the memory, i can't get a good price or buyer.
Thanks for your help.
Scotty

[Cobracon]

This a note from the Gigabyte Product page for the motherboard you want:

GA-P31-DS3L (rev. 1.x)

* Because of chipset limitations, do not populate both DIMM sockets of the same channel (e.g. DDRII1 and DDRII2), or populate 4 DIMM sockets with double-sided memory modules to prevent system's failure to start or incorrect detection of memory modules. Please refer to the user manual for the memory configurations table.

* Because of chipset limitations, when using FSB 1333 MHz CPU with populating all DIMM sockets, memory frequency will be reduced from the original, and system instability or incorrect detection of memory module may occur. Please refer to "Memory Support List" for memory support information.

I've mentioned this because overclocking the e2160 to 3.0GHz can put your FSB @ 1333MHz. I realize you posted your intent to install 2 x 1GB of RAM, but the note brings into question possible future RAM upgrades, and is mentioned as a 'Heads-Up' only.

Good Luck with your new purchase.

[Guest]

Thanks for that, I wasnt aware of the problem.

[Guest]

Ive built my system but i cant get windows to install - it just waits for me to press F8 to continue but wont respond to anything exept esc which aborts the installation.
I know this message is in the wrong place but can anyone help? I'll post in the right forum when i find it.

Thanks

[Wizzard1]

Make sure your SATA drives are in IDE or SATA mode, and not RAID. Check the BIOS.

[Guest]

nope,its not that. I'm really stuck now - I havent got a clue where to go next. ~It just ignores any key but esc.

[D.8080]

I've read the solution for your problem, it can be solved, it's just a wrong ption in the bios.

As soon as I find it I'll post the link.

edit: your cd-rom drive is sata or ide? If sata in BIOS set it to ide or an option different from the one you currently have.

[Cobracon]

I checked my 'Favorites' and found a couple of archived fixes from different sources.

1) Disable Internal and/or External cache in BIOS

2) Unplug any USB devices including USB connected keyboard and mouse. Try a PS/2 connected keyboard and mouse.

I have no idea if these work as I've yet to experience your current problem.

[Guest]

ok I solved the problem - it was a keyboard issue because of the F/Lock key.
Now I need to make sure ive got my 2x1gb memory modules in the correct slots - am I right in putting one in slot 1 and one in slot 3? My old motherboard was different (slot 1 and 2 were used for dual channel to work)

[Wizzard1]

Yes, in Intel, it's slot 1 and 3.

[Guest]

Thanks for the help everyone - now I've got all my updates to bios, windows, m/b and anti-virus ITS OVERCLOCKING TIME mmmWWWWWOOOOOOHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA