Looking For Decent Gaming PC (Well..Kinda)

wolfman

True, you'll hit a higher FSB with the E6300 if I'm not mistaken (although they are effectively the same chip), but the E6400 has a multiplier 1 higher (of 8) which is where the difference is.

Didn't realise the price difference is actually only £20 now. So yeah the E6400 is the better value cpu.

Get 2.8-3.0Ghz out of either and you're doing ok. Shouldn't push it too much and they won't get too hot. Generally best to get an aftermarket cooler. I also like to have a 92mm fan pointing over the north/south bridge to keep them cool too.

For an aftermarket cooler the Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro is the budget option at about £17. I've got one, and they're ok, although performance dips quite considerably when you lower the fan speed. I'm currently thinking of getting something else. Maybe a Thermalright (do like their heatsinks) or Scythe.

Oh, and try and get hold of Intel TAT (Thermal Analysis Tool). It'll give more accurate temperatures (reads from each core) and really push both cores (more so than any other app I've used).