Joined on 03/17/08
Nice little CPU
Pros: Priced competitively. Runs cool. Preliminary overclocking, max stable overclock for my setup was 3.5ghz @ 1.35v(SEE OTHER thoughts as to why I can't go higher). Low voltage at 3ghz was 1.15v, ideal for HTPC setups. My 3.5ghz was done with an SB600. Reviews out in the wild, all give the Athlon II favorable recommendations. I haven't found a stable 4ghz OC yet from reviewers yet. This processor will most likely hover around the 3.8ghz range for many enthusiasts. This is a much needed improvement for AMD's dual core line. I wanted a 7750BE to replace my aging 5400+, but I'm glad I waited, as the 45nm processors are way better overclockers.
Cons: Memory controller is only capable of DDR2 800mhz or DDR3 1066mhz -wish AMD would change their minds and make a BE Athlon II versions. As of now, they do not plan on making Athlon II BE version at all.
Overall Review: My setup: Athlon II X2 250, MSI(790X chipset) KA92 CF-F version1, 4gig Adata 1066mhz DDR2, Zalman 9500a HSF. In order for the MSI board to work with the new processor I had to upate the BIOS to the latest version. Unfortunately there is definitely a bug with the BIOS version 1.9. I am unable to down clock my HT multiplier, nor my memory speeds. Downclocking the CPU multi worked. I also used AMD Overdrive to downclock the HT and it still does not work. Because I can't downclock my HT and memory, I am unable to determine as to what is causing my system instability when overclocking. Hopefully I can budget a new motherboard, preferrably a AM3 board, and see how far I can take this CPU.
Pros: See my review
Cons: see my review
Overall Review: To RPC. I'll tell you exactly where the Vcore for memory is. Go to MIT section, go to System Voltage Optimized, change the auto to maual. The DDR2 option should now allow you to incrementally change the voltage by +.1. Now can you tell me where the option is to disable the DES in the BIOS?
Died after 1 Week
Pros: Affordable
Cons: After 1 week of usage both memory sticks stopped working. NO post from using either sticks.
Updated to my Review
Pros: I've managed to get 3.7ghz overclock with this processor. However I think I can get higher, if I'm able to downclock the NB frequency. It is well over 2500mhz, which is why I can't hit 3.8ghz.
Cons: As mention earlier, NO Black Edition processors planned for all Athlon II line.
Overall Review: First of all STOP with the "buy the 550BE instead". Go spam the Intel E8X00 processors and see the kind of reaction you get there. There are reasons why a person would buy this, low wattage and low voltage. Strict budget, means that compromising on the CPU will get a tier upgrade on the GPU.
Works Good, still need more testing
Pros: Works at 1600mhz 8-8-8-21 2T, Tried 1T but fails Prime95 Blend testing. It did pass 2 hours of 9-9-9-24 1T@1600mhz
Cons: Memory does not work at 1.6v - 1.65v. It will fail Prime95 Blend within secs of testing at these voltages. I am running the memory at 1600mhz 8-8-8-21 2T at only 1.525v.
Overall Review: Paired with EVGA X58 and i7 920. EVGA X58 is not listed as a compatible motherboard. Buy and use at your own risk.
Disappointed, No Max Overclocking
Pros: Board reconize the E8200 processor. BIOS was updated with the lastest version. The board fired up on first try and I was able to install OS without any problems. It has standard features you'd find in a budget board, all ports worked.
Cons: This board's CPU voltage cannot be changed beyond the standard default of the CPU that it detects. I was able to overclock the E8200 to 3.1ghz, couldn't get to 3.2ghz at all. No matter what voltage you input in, the BIOS will not update. Clear CMOS, you can adjust it beyond default value and it will retain. Overnight or after an extended shut off time, of 2 hours, the voltage will reset back to default when you power up the system. Tried Gigabyte overclock software, same thing.
Overall Review: In an effort to troubleshoot, I removed the E8200 and installed an E6850. Same thing. I couldn't adjust the voltage past the stock default value for an E6850 of 1.35v. I managed to get the E6850 at 3.5ghz on default voltage. I intended to RMA the board, but figured it must be some built in feature to the BIOS to protect the board and CPU, since the behavior happened with 2 different processor. I've decided to keep it, as 3.5ghz E6850 is ok with me. The E8200 will be used for a different board.