Strengths: Retail pack includes fan and processor with 3 yr warranty. Good OC. M0 stepping. Getting 3.33ghz with more headroom.

Weaknesses: Only 1M cache. If you want to OC, plan on getting a better cooler.

Summary: Good bargain dual core cpu that overclocks easily. The E2180 is guaranteed to be the newer M0 stepping so it runs cooler than the E2140/60 L0 stepping, potentially better at overclocking. Great cpu for $90.

Strengths: Excellent overclocking ability--easily running 3.33GHz. Great budget overclocker.

Weaknesses: If you don't overclock it's a mediocre processor. Only 1 Meg of L2 cache so won't keep up with the E4x00 and E6x50 series for gaming.

Summary: I bought this processor specifically as a cheap overclocker to hold me over until the new 45nm processors come out next year. For around $90 this is a great value if want to play around with overclocking. This one has a 10x locked multiplier.

Strengths: Excellent Performance for the money and can be overclock to 3.6ghz and includes Heatsink CPU Fan.

Weaknesses: Only has 1MB of L2 not great for 3D Gaming.The included Heatsink Fan only good up to stock speed of E2180. If you plan to overclock, be sure to get better CPU Heatsink Fan.

Summary: Mind also has MO stepping, which is much better overclocks than L0 stepping. Did not push mine up to 3.6ghz, but running at 2.4ghz with simple adjustment in the bios. Completely stable and did not notice any rise in temperature using stock heatsink fan. (maybe less than 1 degree) If you are not serious gamer, this CPU is more than enough for everyday use!

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.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.