Sam/Gary et al:I have updated my Gigabyte P35-DS3R V2.1A BIOS to F11 and am ready for the E8500 in CO stepping (currently running the E6850). I can't find it available anywhere (even OZ). Could anyone advise when and where is is scheduled for availability- that's my next upgrade- budgeted for and funds available- just no product :( I have tried Google without success..... HELP!Best-Carl F. Avari-Cooper BAW0225http://online.vatsimindicators.net/980091/523.png

The P35 is only 24/7 stable up to a 400Mhz FSB. Above that, you'll want to go with a better bin'd chip-set (X38, et al). That'll cost. Point being,That 9.5 multiplier will only take the E85 to 3.8Ghz. I see No excitement with any dual E8X00 beyond a quad Q6600 at 3.6Ghz. None at all. The (Single core based) FPS that FSX provides will be Indistinguishable between any Single Core operating at 3.6 vs 3.8. However, the extra cores the quad brings on board will get you better texture loading. Unless you are willing to spend $1.1K on an unlocked CPU, get yourself a Q66 . . . then honker down and wait for Sandy Bridge in 2010 (sounds scary, but that's only ~ 20 months).In this case, later did not end up being greater. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Bridge_(CPU_architecture)

Hi Carl , I could get one (Spain), two weeks ago. It was avalaible in two distributors in very low quantities. Best.Miquel.

>The (Single core based) FPS that FSX provides>will be Indistinguishable between any Single Core operating at>3.6 vs 3.8. However, the extra cores the quad brings on board>will get you better texture loading. >Hum ... I beg to differ on that. I recently upgraded from a single core P4 3.6 GHz to a Dual core E8400 3.0 GHz and I see a big difference in both FPS and texture loading. Both systems running XP Pro 32-bit with a NVidia 8800 GTX.I would agree though that a Q66xx overclocked at 3.8 would beat a E8400/8500 running at stock speed.Just my 2 cents.

Might be worth trying Vadim, they seem to indicate availablity.http://www.vadim.co.uk/product36856/Intel+...1333FSB+6Mb-bq_Stewart

>The P35 is only 24/7 stable up to a 400Mhz FSB. Above that,>you'll want to go with a better bin'd chip-set ..........Thats untrue.... Running my p35 @ 430Mhz FSB and it can go much higher..

There's really no comparison between a single core P4 at Any Clock and the single core performance of a Core2 at 3.0. The Core2 provides an ~ 2x (clock for clock) performance advantage over the P4.Above 400 Mhz with any P35 is out on the edge. It'll go, but hang on tight. The X38/48s are a much better (more stable) bet above 400mhz.

Thanks for the sourcing and the feedback.......I'm a bit discouraged...was hoping for better performance. Would the performance estimates be the same for FS9, or in that case would the additional overhead make a better difference?Best-Carl F. Avari-Cooper BAW0225http://online.vatsimindicators.net/980091/523.png

I've read a few articles at various sites and I really don't think you will see any major performance difference between the 8500 and E6850. I think you should save your money until something comes out that will make a substantial difference. CraigLian Li PC 65B CaseCorsair HX Series CMPSU-620HX 620W Power SupplyPlextor PX-810SA/SW-BL DVD/CDSamsung SH-S203BGiagabyte GA-P35-DS3RCrucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)Arctic Freezer 7 ProIntel E6850 Core 2 Duo 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache @ 3.6 GHzEVGA 7950GT KO 512mb 169.21_forceware whqlSeagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATASeagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATAWinXP Pro SP2

So if I understand, the consensus seems to be that there will not be big improvement changing from the e6850 to the 38500? I currently run the e6850 at the stock 3.0ghz, with memory timings at 4,4,4,12- +0.3v on memory (2.1v required). I don't really see any difference in the performance of FS9 with the stock 3.0ghz vs. the 3.6ghz that I can get all day long- Prime95 stable- so I went back to stock.I suppose there's not enough difference in the pipeline/architecture of the e8500 v e6850 to make a whole lot of difference? I'd have thought otherwise initially. What about between the e6850 and the e8500 OC'd as far as possible on the P35 chipset? Would I be able to hit 4.0Ghz or higher?What would be the logical upgrade sequence for my CPU at this point (or by summer)?Thanks!Best-Carl F. Avari-Cooper BAW0225http://online.vatsimindicators.net/980091/523.png

>>I suppose there's not enough difference in the>pipeline/architecture of the e8500 v e6850 to make a whole lot>of difference? I'd have thought otherwise initially. What>about between the e6850 and the e8500 OC'd as far as possible>on the P35 chipset? Would I be able to hit 4.0Ghz or higher?>>What would be the logical upgrade sequence for my CPU at this>point (or by summer)?>>Thanks!>>Best->Carl F. Avari-Cooper BAW0225>http://online.vatsimindicators.net/980091/523.png Quote from link below: "If you can wait a few more months, the X48 and P45 chipsets will be available and will make the new Core 2 an even better choice, as the Front Side Bus will be accelerated to 400 MHz (FSB1600 quad pumped). However, any noticeable performance differences between a Core 2 Conroe and Wolfdale are too small to justify purchasing a new processor.'http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/02/13/wol...ors/page19.htmlCraigLian Li PC 65B CaseCorsair HX Series CMPSU-620HX 620W Power SupplyPlextor PX-810SA/SW-BL DVD/CDGiagabyte GA-P35-DS3RCrucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)Arctic Freezer 7 ProIntel E6850 Core 2 Duo 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache @ 3.6 GHzEVGA 7950GT KO 512mb 169.21_forceware whqlSeagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATASeagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATAWinXP Pro SP2

There's just no upgrade path from our platforms (P35/X48/et al). Nothing will make any significant difference . . . unless we want to spend $5K on an unlocked 9xxx and cascade cooling. That'll get you to 5ghz. That'll help. Otherwise, just honker down and wait. The Nehalem might provide some advantage, but I doubt it. http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/cpu/display/2...ps_in_2010.htmlSandy Bridge is the next great hope in 2010.However a FS that can use the cores we Already have sitting in our sockets is the only real chance for a significant performance boost. Trying to thrash a 'ittle-bit from hardware solutions is just a placabo. The next big boost will Have to come from software.

I couldn't resist and when I actually found an e8500 CPU I ordered it- so it ought to be here Fri or Monday at the latest......will let you all know if I notice any improvements from the e6850- even if its just the placebo effect ;)I am planning an a week at stock settings and then OC- how fast can I expect- my Tuniq 120 gives me 3.6 Prime95 STABLE (24Hrs) on the e6850?Best-Carl F. Avari-Cooper BAW0225http://online.vatsimindicators.net/980091/523.png

Will the 400FSB OC work on the e8500? Also- I am currently providing 1.425 volts to the CPU on the e8850- what would be best for the e8500?Thanks!Best-Carl F. Avari-Cooper BAW0225http://online.vatsimindicators.net/980091/523.png

Hey Guys!The e8500 will be here tomorrow- please advise about the OC- and what you are using for the FSB and CPU voltage specifically- thanks!Best-Carl F. Avari-Cooper BAW0225http://online.vatsimindicators.net/980091/523.png