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: 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: 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.