Legit Reviews

Hey I have a quick question. Would an Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor ( see http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036 for specs)
be compatable with the Biostar P4M900 MICRO 775 (http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdetails.as ... ICRO%20775) motherboard? Right now I am running a E2160 Dual core (2.0 GHz I believe) on that motherboard and I was unsure if this new Processor would be compabable because it would be 45nm instead of 65nm.

That E2160 is actually a dual core pentium chip and we pushed one at our computer shop from 1.8Ghz to 3.2 without breaking a sweat. Might want to look into overclocking if you want to save some money! Also just go to Biostar's website and look up that model for the CPU support list

No, don't do it. That motherboard, while it does support Core 2 duo, it only supports up to 1066MHz FSB and the E8500 is 1333MHz FSB.

Although it may work, a recent bios update will be needed to support 45nm processors.

How about this-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115059

It is at 1066 MHz FSB and still around the same price/speed

I'm not a fan of dumping money into older systems especially when you already have a core 2 duo. Like ibleet mentioned make sure you have the bios to support the newer processor. If you live near a micro center they have the E7400 for 80 bucks.

Is that biostar a good overclocker? I say just overclock the crap out of that E2160

Your motherboard can't handle a decent processor. There is no difference between E8400 and E8500, but E8600 will kill these processors in hard overclocking. If you just have money, go for a new system. Set up a new motherboard (e.g. P5Q Pro) and buy the E8400 for lowest price.

I would definitely not go for that Biostar board.. doesn't even appear to support the 8500...I would do what the last post said and get a different motherboard if you're going for the 8500

some options:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813128380

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131393

InspectahACE wrote:going for the 8500

E8500 has a bit higher default speed, nothing else. It's not worth of paying extra money. Go for the E8400, which can do as good as E8500.

I agree, the E8400 is a sweet CPU and this $80 P43 Gigabyte board should more than meet your needs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813128380

Well, I'm sure he knows the difference between the 2 just like I do . something must be good about that Gigabyte board since it was suggested twice

I would go for a P45 chipset.