Intel Pentium E2140 + Foxconn MARS: Performance Analysis

[darklord]

Hi Guys,
I have been using this very cheap Dual Core CPU, E2140 for quite some time in my Main PC and i am pretty much happy with its performance. This chip is more than sufficient for my usage as i am not into hardcore gaming or 3D work and so on..
Since many here are on a tight budget and are in a dilemma as to what config to go for.
So i decided to do a very basic performance analysis/testing to showcase the facts related to performance.In my honest opinion, even with mild overclocking, this chip performs very well and is excellent value for money.
Hope this proves helpful to others.

Test Setup -
Intel Pentium E2140
Foxconn MARS (Intel P35 chipset)
1GB x 2 Team Xtreem PC2 6400 CL4
160GB Seagate SATA II 7200.10
Nvidia Geforce 6600GT 128MB PCIe GPU
Corsair VX450W PSU
Stock Cooler on CPU
2 x 120mm Fans in Case for ventilation.

CPU-Z Validation Link

Results -



Everest Memory Benchmarks -



Everest CPU Benchmarks -

Now it was time to see how well does the stock cooler performs under mild overclocking.



As you can see from the above screenshot, even at a mild OC like 2.6GHz, the stock cooler cannot handle this chip under full load.
Recently Intel has started providing these tiny coolers with almost all CPUs barring the Quads may be.
The same cooler does the job right from E2140 right upto E8500.
I am sorry to say but this is a very poor cooler.It might be good at stock speeds but if you have any intentions of overclocking, then you better think of getting a better cooler.

Due to time constraints i cant test any further but i will definitely come up with similar tests for E8400 and E8500 to make things clear.
If anyone here wants me to add any specific tests in my usual benchmark list, let me know, i will try my level best to do all possible tests.

Thats all for now,

Thanks,
Amey
Team THL

[Gigacore]

thats really cool man, whats the price of E2140 ?

[darklord]

2,400-2,500 i guess. But i think its not available anymore, E2160 replaced it for 2,600/- or so

[Gigacore]

Thats cool then, i'm planning to get one soon. And I've a noob question, will it out perform my Intel P4 3.06 GHz processor?

[infra_red_dude]

^^^ Yes, and very easily! Yep, 2140 is not available. Heck, here in Bangalore even 2160 is not available!!!

[Gigacore]

@ ani, then which model can I buy under 3k here in Bangalore, SP Road?

[gcbeldar]

here in karnataka e2140 @2450 & e2160 @2650 let me know anyone interested

[infra_red_dude]

When I'd been to S.P.Road last these procs. were in short supply: 2140, 2160, 6550, 6750.

At 3K, I think you can get the P dual core 2180.

[Gigacore]

thanks infra

[gxsaurav]

This seems like a very good combo for a normal home PC , but still AMD 780G + AM2 4800+ X2 is a better deal

[darklord]

780G is a sweet chipset, i like it but AMD needs to get some good CPUs out soon.

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by darklord

780G is a sweet chipset, i like it but AMD needs to get some good CPUs out soon.

Ya, but not everyone needs a uber high end CPU. From what I see AMD has a better platform then Intel right now, all they need is to spend some money on marketing. There 780G Chipste with something like Athlon 64 5000+ X2 AM2 is a solid home PC. Not everyone is into gaming...

[darklord]

Agreed, that they have a compelling IGP solution BUT, Intel offers better performing CPUs for almost same price or in some cases cheaper.
Mind you i myself love AMD, you can call me a fanboy but that doesnt change facts.
Intel lacks a good IGP platform as of now but thats only where they seem lagging behind,otherwise they have very competitive platforms right from mid end to high end.

[hellgate]

E2140,E2160 & E2180 r very good procy at their price point.used E2160 for a few days and cud oc it to 3.4GHz without any probs
@ 3.6GHz it became unstable under load.also it ran a bit cooler @3.4GHz wrt E4500 that i had tested.

[amrawtanshx]

How much does Foxconn MARS cost ????

[darklord]

I dont think its available in India officially, i sourced it from US and landed cost for me was ~ 10.5k

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by darklord

780G is a sweet chipset, i like it but AMD needs to get some good CPUs out soon.

well, the moment 45nm Phenom Black Edition comes out with B3 stepping and 3GHz default core speed, I will say AMD has redeemed itself. But such a thing may take ages, by which time intel would already be at 32nm. So AMD needs to overtake intel first. They can try to skip 32nm and jump to 24nm or something by the end of this year.

Originally Posted by darklord

I dont think its available in India officially, i sourced it from US and landed cost for me was ~ 10.5k

quite an odd system you built there. A 10.5k mobo and a 6600GT 128 mb plus an E2140 ?

[darklord]

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

well, the moment 45nm Phenom Black Edition comes out with B3 stepping and 3GHz default core speed, I will say AMD has redeemed itself. But such a thing may take ages, by which time intel would already be at 32nm. So AMD needs to overtake intel first. They can try to skip 32nm and jump to 24nm or something by the end of this year.


quite an odd system you built there. A 10.5k mobo and a 6600GT 128 mb plus an E2140 ?

B3 stepping = 65nm with Fixed TLB Bug and better clocks maybe,nothing more.

45nm = new stepping altogether, no B3 here.

along with 45nm, AMD needs to tweak its architectue a bit and most important thing is YIELDs. Even if AMD shifts quickly to 45nm but yields are bad, it wont help.You need good yield to make good quantity of chips.
Lets hope AMD gets into competitive action soon.

Why odd system ? I love motherboards, you can say i am obsessed with them
Also i am not a gamer, nor am i a 3D artist so i dont need massive GPU and CPU Power.

for daily usage this E2140 serves my purpose, as for benching, i have E8400 & E8500

[hellgate]

^^^ why not use the E8400/E8500 for daily usage ? why only bench with them???

[darklord]

Originally Posted by hellgate

^^^ why not use the E8400/E8500 for daily usage ? why only bench with them???

Because frankly there is no need and i hate swapping CPUs in my Home PC, i like to keep it the way it is.

[hellgate]

yup swapping proccies just for benching is a p!ta.it also wastes a lot of thermal paste, though for me it comes 4 free.
wat mobo r u using in ur daily use rig?

[gxsaurav]

^^^^ U R just like me, set it & forget it .

E8xxx series is set for 4 years too, SSE4.1, EMT64 everything is there.

[darklord]

Originally Posted by hellgate

yup swapping proccies just for benching is a p!ta.it also wastes a lot of thermal paste, though for me it comes 4 free.
wat mobo r u using in ur daily use rig?

Foxconn MARS unfortunately, it will be removed shortly.EVGA 680i SLI will go in Main Rig.
Foxconn MARS for benching and some other goodies arriving soon

[hellgate]

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

^^^^ U R just like me, set it & forget it .

hey buddy u got me wrong there.i've hav to do a lot of cpu swapping when i try to oc any LGA 775 procy that i can lay my hands on.

@darklord do u hav Phoenix BIOS Editor Pro??i need that software urgently.