The average price and parameter for 2008 is the processor solution Core 2 Duo E8400. It is its capabilities and parameters, as well as reviews about it, that will be examined in detail in this review.
CPU positioning
In 2008, the processors were divided as follows:
High-performance solutions that consisted of 4 cores. These included Cor 2 Quad from Intel and Phenomas from AMD. It is immediately worth noting that these chips felt great in multi-threaded applications. But in the software for one computational stream, they lost to single-core chips, which had a higher frequency.
The middle segment of the CPU was represented by dual-core solutions. From Intel in this niche were Cor 2 Duo, that is, the hero of our review today - Intel Core 2 Duo CPU E8400. From “AMD”, in turn, the two-module “Fenom” and “Athlon” oriented to this market segment. These chips functioned perfectly both with multi-threaded programs, and with the software that was sharpened for single-core CPUs.
The initial segment was occupied by single-core solutions. Representatives of Intel in it were the Pentiums and Celerons. Well, in contrast to them, AMD released Atlons and Septrons.
Equipment
There were 2 types of delivery kits for this chip. The first one was TRAY. It included the following:
The second version was called BOX. It included, in addition to the previously listed list, also a cooling system with thermal grease. It should be noted immediately that the standard cooling system is designed for CPU operation with the parameters declared by the manufacturer. But for overclocking, it is recommended to use an improved air cooling system.
Chip socket
The Core 2 Duo E8400 chip was installed in the main and the only processor socket from Intel at that time - socket 775. Of course, you can still buy a new motherboard for it, but the stock of semiconductor crystals has long been sold out. From the point of view of the current requirements for PC hardware resources, it can be noted that such decisions have a budget segment. Most of the programs on it will run, but not at maximum settings.
Technology
This was one of the first to be manufactured using 45 nm technology. Now, of course, you will not surprise anyone with this numerical value. Modern silicon CPUs are already manufactured according to the 14 nm process technology. But in 2008, such an engineering move allowed us to reduce the crystal area and increase the number of transistors, and this, in turn, allowed us to increase the performance of a computer system by 10-15 percent.
Cache
Of course, the advanced processor solution in 2008 was the Core 2 Duo E8400. Therefore, he had a solid size two-level cache. Its first level was tied strictly to a specific module and was divided into 2 parts. The first part of 32 Kb was used to store instructions, and the second, of exactly the same size, saved data. But the second level of the cache was common for both computational models and at the same time data and instructions were stored in it. Its size was 6MB and not every processor of that time could grasp such a characteristic.
RAM
Like most 775 socket processors , only one type of RAM supported the Core 2 Duo E8400. Its characteristics indicate the possibility of working only with DDR2. This type of RAM is obsolete both morally and physically. He was replaced rather long ago by DD3, which is now slowly being supplanted by DDR4.
Accordingly, one cannot expect excellent performance from this dual-processor solution: low frequencies of RAM will be exactly that parameter that will slow down the operation of the computer system as a whole.
Thermal nuances
In this model, the claimed thermal package is 65 watts. This value is not unusual even today - the exact same thermal package in most modern processors. The maximum allowable temperature for such a silicon crystal is 72.4 degrees. Under normal operating conditions of the CPU at maximum load, it can reach 50 degrees. But during acceleration it is better to control its value. Often there are times when the cooling system does not cope with the heating of the chip and its temperature almost instantly reaches 75-80 degrees. After such experiments, the processor usually fails and you have to buy a new CPU.
Frequency and performance
The nominal clock speed of Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 is 3.00 GHz. In this indicator, the E8400 is practically inferior in no way to the modern Pentium G3260, in which this indicator is 3.3 GHz. That is, a PC based on the hero of this can be safely attributed to today's office machines. But if you replace the standard cooling system with an improved one and install a more powerful power supply in the computer, then you can easily overclock this chip to 4 GHz. And this is a significant increase in productivity and the ability to launch almost all modern toys, including demanding ones (albeit with not the maximum settings).
Architecture
As noted earlier, this processor was part of the Cor 2 Duo lineup. It included 2 64-bit computing units, each of which operated at a frequency of 3.0 GHz. Intel Turbo Boost Technology was not supported by this chip. As a result, he could not dynamically change his clock frequency. The same applies to automatic shutdown of an idle computing core. Therefore, in terms of energy efficiency with modern 2-core E8400 chips, it will be quite difficult to compete.
Overclocking
The Core 2 Duo E8400 processor came with a locked multiplier. As a result, it was impossible to disperse it by simply increasing the multiplier. In this case, it was necessary to reduce the frequencies of all system components except the system bus. Its clock frequency in the future it was necessary to gradually increase. Without any problems, this allowed us to achieve 4 GHz for the central processor. But before this simple operation, it was necessary to install specialized software (“AIDS-Fan” for monitoring the temperature and operation of the cooling system, “CPU-Zet” for determining the achieved processor frequency values, “AIDA 64” was used to check the stress resistance of the computer system). It was also necessary to replace the cooling system with a more advanced one and with improved parameters and check the power of the power supply, which should be at least 700 watts. Only after that it was possible to start overclocking. If necessary, it was possible to overcome the previously specified limit of 4 GHz, but in this case it was necessary to increase the voltage supplied to the CPU additionally to 1.4 V or more. And this is not entirely good, and in this mode, the E8400 semiconductor crystal failed much faster. Therefore, such experiments can be carried out only as a last resort.
Price
The starting price for the CPU Core 2 Duo E8400 was $ 183 for the BOX version and $ 153 for the TRAY version. At the end of sales, the cost of these semiconductor crystals decreased by $ 4 and became equal to $ 179 (BOX) and $ 149 (TRAY). In 2008-2009, the cost of these chips was fully consistent with their level of performance.
Reviews
Against the background of other representatives of this processor family, the E8400 could boast of the optimal price-performance ratio. For $ 183 it was possible to purchase a fully loaded Core 2 Duo E8400. 3.0 GHz he had a clock frequency. A more advanced chip labeled E8500 cost $ 266, and its frequency was 3.16 GHz.
That is, for an additional 160 MHz it was necessary to lay out 83 dollars. In other words, his price has grown significantly, and productivity is negligible. The younger representatives of the processors of this family - E8200 and E8190 - cost $ 20 less ($ 163), but their frequency was 2.66 MHz. That is, their price decreased slightly, but productivity - significantly. That is why most users opted for the E8400. It is these nuances that the majority of user reviews indicate. The rest is a great CPU for its time. Which, moreover, could still boast of excellent overclocking potential.
Summary
An excellent processor solution for its time is the Core 2 Duo E8400. He and the price was quite democratic, and the level of performance is quite good. And its overclocking potential allows even now to run most of the existing software on it (albeit with far from maximum settings). All this characterizes the products of Intel Corporation only on the good side: you buy a mid-range solution - and the next 5-7 years you can not worry about computer performance.