bit-tech Shopping: Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Dual Core Processor

Rating: 10

Time with product: 60

Strengths: it can be easily and safely overclocked to at least 3.0Ghz

Weaknesses: 2mb cache...

Summary: I bought an OEM version of this Cpu and put a Nirvana 120 cooler. Currently i have it working at 3.4Ghz with nearly 1.5V on a GA-EP35C-DS3R with 2gb of geil ultra (800mhz 4-4-4-12) and it runs soooo sweet. Temperatures at idle are around 23degrees and under full load 55-60 degrees depending on the fan speed. If you find one don't hesitate to get it.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Weeks

Strengths: Good value - price vs performance; overclockable

Weaknesses: Stock CPU cooler

Summary: I was building a HTPC, but didn't want to break the bank. I wanted the computer to do HD-DVD & Blu-Ray video decoding, but planed on using an nVidia 8600GT to offload those tasks. As a result, I didn't need super CPU performance. However, I would be doing occasional mid-range gaming, so wanted some tradeoff. Thus far, I am overjoyed! I have had no stutters during playback of HD content. I use PowerDVD Ultra and the 8600GT, and the CPU rarely reaches 25% during playback of HD movies.The installation was a snap, and my motherboard (ASUS P5K-VM) recognized the CPU right away. I initially used the stock CPU fan/cooler, but ended up dropping in an after-market one to get better performance. The stock fan/cpu is a tad loud for me, and it doesn't do that great of a job cooling down the processor. I wish Intel would design something better!

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Months

Strengths: Overclock to 3.2Ghz, cooler running than other e4xxx, high multiplier

Weaknesses: stock cooler, no virtualization

Summary: Received a GO stepping that runs cooler than e4300 I have overclocked. Hits 3.2Ghz easily. High multiplier helps with budget boards. This is a very economic and stable processor. If you do not need VT or the higher cache of higher end Intel dual core this is a very good chip for overclocking.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: Cool. Quick. OC'ing.

Weaknesses: Cache

Summary: Great little CPU, and you can't get better performance for the price (well, the E2160 is prob close). Great OC'ing ability. And is compatible with most Core 2 Duo ready motherboards. Only complaint would be the 2MB cache, wish Intel made a 4MB cache version with 800MHz. Oh, and you will want to replace the stock cooling if you plan on doing any real OC'ing.

Rating: 10

Time with product:

Strengths: highly overclockable

Weaknesses: 2MB cache ram

Summary: This is my 5th Intel Core 2 processor, and once again it does not disappoint. The 11x multiplier will allow you to overclock your processor with minimal stress on your FSB and ram. I safely took this processor to 3.2GHz without a problem.