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Intel Pentium E2140/2160 and C2D 6320/6420 |
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Written by Dusan Srbljak
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Monday, 09 July 2007 |
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Page 2 of 6
In our lab we have models E2140 and E2160 this time around. These are 100% Core-based dual-core processors, meaning that they were manufactured in 65 nm, and work at a 800 MHz bus, just like the E4000 series. However, something had to be done to “cripple” these processors in terms of performance. That is why they have the L2 cache reduced to only 1 MB instead of 2 MB. It remains a mystery whether such chips with only 1 MB of L2 cache were created through turning off half of the memory available on the Allendale core or by using partially faulty E4000 series CPUs. This series also does not support the “Vanderpool” technology of virtualisation, just as the E4000 series doesn't. This can, of course, not be considered a drawback, since these processors do not target the market who would consider this important at all. Other standard functions, such as EIST, xD bit and similar, are fully supported.
Pentiums E2140 and E2160 work at clocks of 1.6 GHz (8x200 MHz) and 1.8 GHz (9x200 MHz), while another model, E2180, is expected to launch in 3rd quarter of the year and will work at 2 GHz. The two processors we have tested this time can be bought for around 80 € and 90 €, respectively. This price should somewhat drop when the E2180 appears. The overclocking potential of this series is more than good. This is precisely where the difference between AMD and Intel is. It is well known that AMD's processors are faster than C2D ones when working at the same clock, but also that Intel has a greater overclock potential. We succeeded in making the CPUs at hand to work at 3.1 GHz (the E2140 model) and 3.2 GHz (the E2160 model). These results were achieved with voltages of only 1.42 V and 1.44 V, respectively.
One should bear in mind, though, that these results require a motherboard and memory that can follow up to the relatively low FSB value of 355 MHz. However, most motherboards will be able to function at these values, while the DDR667 certified DDR2 memory (333 MHz) is now more than accessible. Basically, if you decide to do some overclocking (and there is no reason not to), you can assemble a very fast computer based on the Pentium E2000 series for a relatively small amount of money. What was also expected is that, due to significantly smaller amounts of allocated cache memory, this CPU series goes nowhere near the levels of heat typical for the E4000 or E6000 processors. This means that they require no special cooling, and the ordinary BOX cooler will be fit for any overclocking session you are planning.
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