[CP5670]

I'm not entirely sure. I am hearing different things about the single core and dual core E6s. The single core E6s apparently use some different material to comply with European regulations and have some really minor memory controller improvements, but people on xtremesystems have been reporting lower overclocks with them, so I would avoid them for now and go with an E3 or E4. The dual core E6s on the other hand are the 1024k cache Toledo cores, so if you find an X2 3800 that's an E6 then it's probably a 4400 with half the cache disabled and speed binned to a 3800. Not sure how it might affect overclocking, if at all, although it seems the E6 3800s are rare anyway.

Maybe it's not the exact same picture. This has circulated and been copied around the internet many times now. The one in the original post said "Adobe Photoshop CS2" or something like that in it. Besides, let's face it, you're going to have to apply some serious force to break it off that cleanly. Would require a chainsaw or something.

[Grey Wolf]

I'd say a hacksaw would be able to do it.

Also, my honest suggestion: Don't overclock. The only rational reason to overclock is when a part starts reaching the end of its usable life expectancy, to pull off an extra game or two before obsolescence. Overclocking at the beginning is usually rather pointless.

[CP5670]

I don't know much about CPU overclocks since mine sucks (2ghz rev D engineering sample that tops out around 2.2ghz), but a video card overclock can make a considerable difference. You won't see it quite as much in benchmarks, which almost always just show the average framerates (a useless stat IMO), but the minimum framerates can get a better boost. I can effectively go up one resolution setting in some current games because of a 6800 GT overclock.

It's free performance and a significant amount of it, so the only real reason not to overclock is if you don't have time to do all the research and run the stability tests. If you are well informed about everything in advance and are careful and systematic, there is very little chance of any problems.

[Grey Wolf]

Most people who try overclocking do not do the research properly. Then they'll come back on and start going like this:
OMG MY COMPUTER IS DYING!!1! I OVERCLOCKED IT FROM 1.8GHZ TO 3.4GHZ AND NOW IT WON"T BOOT! I THINK ITS ON FIRE TOO!!!!!!

[ZmaN]

so wait, e4 or e6?

[Grey Wolf]

Doesn't matter. You probably won't know until you get it and look at the chip, as most sites let you choose the core, but they won't let you choose the stepping.

[MatthewPapa]

prices have spiked this week

dont buy now

wait until the prices fall back down