Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz Processor

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400

Strengths: Efficient CPU, fast CPU, easy to install CPU (no pins), clear instructions, much higher bang for the buck than an AMD processor

Weakness: Weak and inefficient HSF, hard to install HSF

I'm sure all of you have already read about the performance of the Core 2 Duo series. It is a dual core CPU, meaning it is good at multitasking. It has also benchmarked above many more expensive AMD processors. The HSF that is included with the retail box is terrible. It is loud and it generally keeps the CPU 15C higher than a $20 HSF like the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro. A major complaint that...
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I'm sure all of you have already read about the performance of the Core 2 Duo series. It is a dual core CPU, meaning it is good at multitasking. It has also benchmarked above many more expensive AMD processors.

The HSF that is included with the retail box is terrible. It is loud and it generally keeps the CPU 15C higher than a $20 HSF like the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro. A major complaint that I have with the whole setup, however, is that it is very hard to install the HSF. It involves 4 plastic pins that are supposed to be pushed in and click. Often, you can get 2 or 3 clicks but the last one does not fit right. On my first try, I ended up with a CPU temperature of 70C because it was not mounted correctly. After re-mounting, temperatures at stock speed are around 35C with the Arctic Cooling HSF at ~1600RPM.

By masterren - Dec 9, 2006

Intel finally get's it right!!

Strengths: Great performer; good install documentation; 3-year warranty

Weakness: Same cheap stock-fan

I am building two new systems, one budget (the e6300) and one and middle-of the road on the other (the e6400). The price difference was substantial, as the e6300 was more heavily discounted upon inital release. However, the next jump to the e6600 was really significant, so I stuck with the e6400. This went into an ASUS P5WDH Deluxe motherboard with PC2-6400 DDR2 RAM, and it worked great from the...
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I am building two new systems, one budget (the e6300) and one and middle-of the road on the other (the e6400). The price difference was substantial, as the e6300 was more heavily discounted upon inital release. However, the next jump to the e6600 was really significant, so I stuck with the e6400.

This went into an ASUS P5WDH Deluxe motherboard with PC2-6400 DDR2 RAM, and it worked great from the get-go. I did have to make sure that I had the latest BIOS installed (not thanks to ASUS, but thanks to user groups), as the previous versions had limited (or no) Core2 Duo support. I'm not an overclocker, so cannot comment on how fast you can get it. The biggest difference between this and my previous Dual-Core was power consumption!! My previous D830 ran idle in the high 50's, and peaked in the low 70's! The e6400 idles at 32, and peaks at 39 (MP3 ripping). Just about everything else was a bit zippier. Thanks, Intel, for getting the power thing down finally.

I never did try the stock intel fan, as it has historically been bad. Noisy, ineffective, applies poor contact to CPU. I went with a Zalman CNPS9500LED, and love it. Not the quietest, but it runs cool.

I liked the documentation that came with the retail kit. Good instructions, and a 3-year warranty...though not sure how I would ever claim it!

By SDTechDeals - Sep 3, 2006

Best bang for the buck

Strengths: Overclocking, budget price

Weakness: None

This chip really is the best bang for the buck in the core 2 duo line. You get a higher multiplier than the E6300 for more stable overclocking and it's still $100 less than the E6600. Pick up a gigabyte DS3 or asus p5b to go with it and you can't go wrong.

By pineconegrenadier - Aug 28, 2006

Killer CPU with dual 64-bit cores!

Strengths: FASSSSTTT, stock hsf is extremely quiet for its size, games run incredible!

Weakness: none yet!

I have used AMD products for years now. I finally took the plunge and bought INTEL after reading many reviews on the new conroes. I have to tell you that it was the BEST decision I could have made. This thing makes my old AMD XP 2500 look like a P2. I had oc-ed my AMD all the way to 3200 speeds and the conroe still makes it look like a dog. I play alot of games. This was one of the main reasons...
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I have used AMD products for years now. I finally took the plunge and bought INTEL after reading many reviews on the new conroes. I have to tell you that it was the BEST decision I could have made. This thing makes my old AMD XP 2500 look like a P2. I had oc-ed my AMD all the way to 3200 speeds and the conroe still makes it look like a dog. I play alot of games. This was one of the main reasons that I needed to upgrade. My system was unable to handle some of the newer games like Obvlivion. This thing makes it seem like I am IN the game. Fluid movement is just awesome. I haven't yet tried oc-ing it becasue I don't have the Mboard or the hsf that I need.

By avaholic - Sep 22, 2006

Efficient and Powerful Processor

Strengths: Great at overclocking. Cooler and more energy efficient than Intel's Pentium 4 generation chips. Competitive pricing.

Weakness: Stock heatsink fan is not good enough if you want to overclock the chip to higher speeds.

Amazing chip. It's been a long time since a CPU has been able to overclock like the Core 2 Duo line of processors. Although the stock heatsink fan isn't the best, it's good enough for a mild overclock given a quality motherboard and fast RAM. I've swapped mine out for an aftermarket cooler so everything is quieter and cooler now. Right now is the time to invest in a dual core chip. The e6400 is...
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Amazing chip. It's been a long time since a CPU has been able to overclock like the Core 2 Duo line of processors. Although the stock heatsink fan isn't the best, it's good enough for a mild overclock given a quality motherboard and fast RAM. I've swapped mine out for an aftermarket cooler so everything is quieter and cooler now.

Right now is the time to invest in a dual core chip. The e6400 is definitely the sweet spot for the mid-range builder who doesn't want to go for the budget e6300 chip or spend the extra $100 for the e6600. Even if you're not overclocking, the e6400 is a great value. But if you are, the headroom to reach stock X6800 speeds is enormous.

Make sure you do your research and get a motherboard and RAM combination for your chip that are compatible. Though in a few months time both will be mature enough to just pick any LGA775 motherboard and a few sticks of DDR2 RAM to build a killer system.

By Supercop007 - Sep 16, 2006