Strengths: Price, Core 2 Duo architecture

Weaknesses: Fan could be quieter

Summary: Unlike the clueless overclockers that seem to dominate these reviews, I actually bought the E2180 to do real work, not run useless benchmarks and make worthless claims about how fast I think I'm actually managing to get the thing to run.In the process of upgrading my wife's PC (the whole DDR/AGP to DDR2/PCIe migration someone else mentioned), I managed to get a decent deal on a Pentium 531 (3.0 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 1 MB L2 cache, Prescott core), so that's what her machine initially ended up using.A couple of months back, one of the fine retailers listed by PriceGrabber had a sale on the newly announced E2180 and, wanting to get my wife's new machine on a Core 2 Duo (mine is an E4400), I sprang for it.Initial impressions are favorable. We've just upgraded to Windows XP (laugh if you will, but Windows 2000 was working just fine for real work as opposed to pointless benchmarking), and the machine was smooth with the Pentium 531 but is now noticeably snappier with the E2180.For all of my wife's desktop publishing, image editing, and other tasks, the E2180 has made the system crisp. Of course, there's 3 GB of memory in it, too, so the headroom is their whatever she can throw at it.So, considering that my wife's previous system (Intel 2.66 GHz Pentium 4, D875PBZ motherboard, 1 GB RAM, ATI Radeon 9600 AGP video, etcetera) lasted for 4 years and, frankly, was still thoroughly usable, I see her new setup with the E2180 easily capable of lasting just as long. And, frankly, since Windows Vista has turned out to be the ultimate dog with no sane person having a reason to drop XP (what's the point?), the E2180 could hang around for 5 to 6 years, barring some real change in the software that people want to use (as opposed to being forced to use, like Vista).One odd thing I've noticed with the E2180 is that the fan seems a little louder than that on the Pentium 531, even though it appears to be exactly the same (no copper heat slug, on either, as one astute reviewer noted). Perhaps some settling in time for the motor is necessary.

Strengths: Core 2 Duo at a budget price, highly overclockable

Weaknesses: only 1MB of L2 cache

Summary: The Pentium E2180 is an excellent processor for the price. It may have less L2 cache than the regular Core 2 processors, but the small performance loss that results is far outweighed by the reduced cost if you are on a budget. I purchased one to tide me over until I can afford one of the new Intel 45nm quad core processors.The E2180 I received is 100% stable when overclocked to 2.66GHz without increasing the voltage. With room temperature at around 18 degrees Celsius, the CPU temp ran about 55 degrees Celsius at 100% utilization (Orthos stress test) at 2.66GHz with the stock cooler. In other words, unless your house is pretty hot, the stock cooler is enough to handle a 33% overclock. With a better cooler (Scythe Ninja Mini) the temp dropped into the mid 40s. A stable 3GHz required a small voltage increase. I haven't tried any higher yet but am pretty sure the processor can be pushed further.In summary, in combination with a motherboard built for overclocking and a good cooler, this processor (or any of the other E2xxx processors) is an excellent choice for a performance PC on a budget. You're probably going to be able to hit at least 3GHz with it. It would also serve well in an office PC, but I'd probably look more towards AMD CPUs for that use due to their lower prices.

Strengths: Cheap, overclocks easily, modern microprocessor tech. (even though Intel called it a "Pentium")

Weaknesses: 1MB cache can be noticeably slower in select applications (though not under most normal use), stock cooler got noisy after a few weeks

Summary: After being a strong AMD supporter for years, this was my first Intel processor purchase since the original Celeron 300A. Overall, I am quite pleased. I do a lot of media editing and encoding, and the dual-core "Core" architecture has made a big difference in how quickly I can work. In fact, the sequential nature of encoding means the 1MB cache is not really a problem. As other reviews make clear, this processor is famous for it's overclockability. One reason for this is the relatively low FSB of 800Mhz. Since most motherboards now support 1066Mhz and many support 1333Mhz and higher, you can often overclock the CPU while leaving all your other components in their normal spec. Another reason is that this processor sits at the low end of Intel's lineup, but is basically manufactured alongside the faster chips, using the same process, so many are easily capable of running at speeds designed for their big brothers. I am currently running mine at stock speed on a P35A motherboard, but just for kicks, I raised the FSB to 1200Mhz, and the processor hummed along happily at 3Ghz as if nothing had happened at all, a 50% overclock (just like the Celeron 300A days!). I didn't try to push it, but under normal to moderately heavy use, the stock cooler kept up and everything seemed stable. Finally, though, a word about that cooler. It seemed very quiet when I first installed it, but lately I have been able to hear it making some noise. It is still nowhere near 'loud,' but if I ever decide to overclock full time, I will probably find a modest replacement.

Strengths: Overclocks well, most people should hit around 3ghz with stock voltage.

Weaknesses: Stock cooler isn't the best, but what can you expect for such an inexpensive chip? 1MB L2 cache hurts it a bit, but it still maintains a great price-performance ratio.

Summary: As far as I know, the e2180 only comes in M0 stepping. Only the e2140 and e2160 can possibly come in L2 stepping and M0 stepping. It's arguable which is better at overclocking, as both steppings have overclocked well.I'm still playing around with my e2180, but so far I've had it up to 3.6 ghz @ 1.55v. I wouldn't run it at this 24/7, but it was nice to see it reach that high.With stock voltages I was able to achieve 3.15ghz. After that it requires large increase in vcore to stay stable.

Strengths: Overclocks very well. Best price for Dual Core

Weaknesses: For this price, no weakness.

Summary: I was able to overclock this chip to 3.25Ghz easily, I am not using the stock heatsink, but I probably could have.The CPU gets a 5.6 in Vista (overclocked).I have had no problem with this chip, and Highly recommend it to anyone looking for CPU's in this price range, or even thinking about a slightly more expensive chip, this overclocked would probably beat the slightly more expensive ones.

Strengths: Price, overclocking capability.

Weaknesses: Smaller cache and aluminium heatsink.

Summary: Unlike what many think, the e2180 is a dual core processor just like its more expensive cousins. Intel's messy marketing called it Pentium Dual Core. If you are a realist and smart consumer, definitely check out the e2180 and the other e2xxx series CPUs. It handles Vista as beautifully as the big boys. With the right motherboard, it can overclock to over 3G Hz, at less than half of the price. At that speed level, the issue of small cache became immaterial. However, better heatsink is absolutely necessary for overclocking because Intel really tries to save money here. I used the Intel stock heatsink came from an e6850. Unlike the e2180's, this one has a nice copper base. I have no problem whatsoever overclocking this to 3G Hz. I'll bet you can get higher if you feel ambitious. The e2180 is respectable product and an excellent buy.

Strengths: Runs Cool, Easy to Overclock to 3.4GHz on stock cooler. Subpar performance when overclocked. Low Price

Weaknesses: Low Cache

Summary: This is one of the best overclockable CPU in the market. It is dual core 2.0GHz with 800MHz with only 1MB L2 cache. But don't let this fool you. This CPU overclocks like crazy delivering extraordinary performance. I pin moded this CPU to increase FSB to 1066MHz and 2.66GHz without overclocking. Then I added overclocking on top of it pushed it to 3.4GHz. All my benchmark are pretty comparable to $300+ E6850 CPU. So basically at 1/3 of the price, this CPU go head-to-head with E6850.

Strengths: overclocking capacity. price. Its based on C2D architecture even though its named as dual core pentium.

Weaknesses: I can think of any from my experience.But few people in overclocking forum say that their chip hit a wall around 3.0G or lower and cant overclock anymore. I guess it depends on the chip you get.

Summary: My switch from AMD to intel was more than satisfying. I upgraded from athlon xp 2400 and could right away see difference even before OC. It flys at 2.0G itself. I have OCed it to 3.33GHz and didnt push any further. temperature of the cores remain under 55C at full load using stock heat sink and fan. but I am getting Arctic Silver 5 to cool it below 50C. running stable for 3 days now non stop. paired with gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L MB, 2GB crucial Ballistix RAM. NO need to buy high end C2D as this performs close to there speed and half the cost. spend the saving on a good MB.

Strengths: Dual Core,Low price with a silent fan

Weaknesses: none so far

Summary: I bought this CPU bundle with ECS PT-890T-A by $90. It was very cheap. I'm running 200MHz x 10 now, no overclocking, very stable. The CPU temp. is around 42C. I'm using this PC for multimedia player in dining room. It is silent and no stress for watching video. I'd like to try overclocking later.

Strengths: Easily overclockable paired with a decent P35 motherboard and price is right

Weaknesses: None for the price

Summary: I was debating between this and AMD x2 5000+ black edition. I'm glad I went with the e2180 with money saved for other components. I'm using it with a MSI Neo2-FR mobo and hit 3.0GHz (300x10) with stock voltage and stock HSF. Effortless 50% overclock!

Strengths: Awesome overclocker, able to run at twice rated speed with no effort whatsoever

Weaknesses: None!

Summary: This is a great deal of a processor for less than $90. It overclocks super-easy, to the point where it really doesn't matter that it only has 1MB Cache (about 5% improvement when 4500 and 2180 overclocked at same speed). You can't pass this up. Quad is overkill, socket 754 is roadkill, and this baby is just killer.

Strengths: 10x multi, core 2 architecture

Weaknesses: allendale core

Summary: I was only able to get mine up to 3.18Ghz with a 1.465 vcore on a ip35-e. Average is 3.2-3.6 with allendale cores. I guess I got one that's below average :( Oh well.Built a new machine because I was finally converting from AGP/DDR to PCIe/DDR2.Updated from a 2.4 P4, so it seems screaming fast to me. But, it's just a core2 to tie me over until the quad yorkies come down in price.

Strengths: Great value; low-power; overclockable

Weaknesses: None?

Summary: I am building a couple of HTPC's in our house (look up my other reviews), so I wanted a good budget processor to keep the unit cost down. I wanted the potential to over-clock, as the HTPC might be decoding HD content in the future. These E21xx series Intel Core2Duo's (they call them Pentium Dual-Core, but they are based on the same low-power core2duos) have a great reputation for being able to overclock, though I have yet to try. I was able to install this in a breeze, and the stock fan kept the procecessor at 32 degrees celcius at idle. Very nice! I can watch ripped DVDs over my home network, now problem. I've been very happy!

Strengths: Good Value for overclocker

Weaknesses: Not consistent OC

Summary: Purchased as a bundle with Shuttle SD30G2B with a microATX board. I was able to overclock to 3.0G but the case fan is a bit noisy so I exchange with another bundle. But the new CPU could only reach 2.4G. I exchanged the CPU this time and it works fine at 3.0G. No special components are used. With a better MB I believe I can go higher.

Strengths: extremely good overclocker; cheap

Weaknesses: only 1MB cache, which in most application means less than 5% performance loss than 2MB/4MB ones

Summary: For less than $90, this is one of the best bang for your buck. Out of the box it runs 2GHz, which is already not too bad. With stock voltage (1.275V), it does 2.66GHz on my first try. With Vcore raised to 1.415V, 3.3GHz stable on Prime95 running on stock HSF. Before i get my new air cooler coming in, i'm not pushing any higher. But i'm sure it could do more when paired with the right cooler.check www.overclock.net for instructions of how to oc. it's so easy. however if you are not planning to overclock, go for AMD maybe coz they are relatively cheaper.