E4500 or E6550? Is there so much a difference?

[Parker]

Like the title says.

The E4500 has 2MB cache and the E6550 has 4MB, I know cache generally helps in programs like Photoshop or if your doing video editing.
I have Photoshop CS and use it quite often (usually only editing 1 to 2 images simultaneously). I also do some small video editing using Final Cut and iMovie (I have a Mac).
I also play some games, COD4, Ghost Recon, Halo.... But not too often.

So, which processor would be more worth the money for what I do with the computer. I will eventually upgrade to a 45nm processor (maybe in the summer).

What's your opinion on this?

[Yellowhello]

If your going to upgrade to 45nm soon and this CPU is just a "place holder" get the cheapest one you can get. Maybe like a E2140. However, the summer is along time away, and you may want decent performance until the summer. The E4500 is a good choice. I used to have a E4300 and just recently upgraded to a E6420, and honestly, there wasn't that much a performance difference (there was some, though).

[Capper]

What are you running right now? Your sig says E6550......if thats the case there is no reason to upgrade at all right now, and I'd recommend saving your money for a new graphics card or some more memory.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by Capper

What are you running right now? Your sig says E6550......if thats the case there is no reason to upgrade at all right now, and I'd recommend saving your money for a new graphics card or some more memory.

Oops, sorry. I'm running on a Mac mini right now.
I haven't bought the parts in my sig yet, just thought I'd put up what I was going to get. But since I put the sig up, I've changed it a little and haven't had time to edit it.
It looks like I'm going to be getting an E4500.

[Capper]

Actually Parker, give us your budget and lets piece together a nice system for you......I think we can do better than whats in your sig.

[Parker]

Okie dokie.
My budget (without the watercooling parts or the VGA) is about $500-600.
I'm getting an 8800 from a friend (not sure which one yet, but for free).

I'd like a good OC'ing mobo with a P35 or X38 chipset, along with good OC'ing RAM (2GB kit or more).
I've already got a case and lots of Fans.

Show me your magic HL

(btw, I'll be gone until 9:30 tonight, so don't expect any replies until then :))

[Capper]

Skip the water cooling, grab a good cooler like a Zalman CNPS9700......that'll help you get a little overclocking under your belt without stressing your budget too much, or risking damage to your other hardware. It'll also be a nice little backup cooling solution should you eventually move to water and have issues.

Intel Pentium E2160 Allendale 1.8GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
DFI BloodIron P35-T2RL LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
mushkin 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
Sony NEC Optiarc Black DVD±R DVD Burner

$598 + Shipping (Before rebates)

[Yellowhello]

I can vouch for the Blood Iron, best OC board for the buck. While the DFI BIOS is a little hard to learn, once you get the hang of it you'll love it.

Rich, I don't think he'll need a case, check this out: [PROJECT] "The blank.box"

[Capper]

nice log he has there.........good lord son, you have some kind of fan obsession.

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by Capper

nice log he has there.........good lord son, you have some kind of fan obsession.

one of the best things was that little trick with grinding down the fans to fit on the rad - that was pure genius.