Strengths: Affordable

Weaknesses: None

Summary: I purchased this processor as part of a general upgrade of my system (from a Pentium 3.0 Ghz). There are no inherent, visible weaknesses as my computer runs smoothly. The best advice that I could give to someone looking to upgrade their system (and their processor) is to not go crazy choosing from, say a 1.6Ghz Core 2 Duo and a 1.8GHz, etc. processor. Being an average -- and not a gamer, etc. -- user, the savings does not appear to come at the expense of any noticeable slow-downs or sluggishness.

Strengths: Price and Performance

Weaknesses: Cache

Summary: First time overclocker. Clocked to 3.0 on Abit IP-35e on air cooling [zerotherm BTF-80]. May be able to get more yet. Stable for 3 weeks now. Great Bang For The Buck!!!!! 3.0 g for $93.00 WOW. CPU vtt 1.21 CPU Core 1.34 31C no load around 50c w/prime 95 [almost stock voltage too].

Strengths: Runs Cool, Good Overclocker, Nice Price/Performance ratio

Weaknesses: Heat sink takes a bit of getting used to (installing)

Summary: This was my first dual-core purchase for a low-end budget machine. If it's your first time installing the heat sink, you may want to search youtube for the instructional video. Even without the heatsink properly attached (when I didn't realize it), my fresh windows installation ran without a hitch! A very durable processor.

Strengths: Affordable budget priced Dual Core that can hit performance of much more expensive Core 2 Duo

Weaknesses: Less than ideal level 2 cache on die

Summary: Excellent entry level Intel dual core processor. Even though it's called "Pentium Dual Core", it's the same as the Core 2 Duo processors, just with 1mb cache shared by 2 processors. It is a little light in terms of gaming performance due to L2 cache deficiency, but it can be overclocked to over 3Ghz with capable motherboard and memory. At 3Ghz speed, it'll be a great performer with a low price point. Get this one if you intend to overclock, otherwise get something with more L2 cache such as E4500 or E6600

Strengths: Core 2 Duo architecture

Weaknesses: Low frequency and cache

Summary: This is the lowest end desktop dual core processor based on the Core 2 Duo architecture that Intel makes. As such, it has all of the advanced features like dual-core, shared L2 cache, and 4-issue execution core. Unlike its bigger brothers, the E2140 has to do with only 1.6GHz, 1MB of shared L2 cache, and no vitualization support. However, for most tasks, you will hardly notice the difference. Bioshock runs very well with this processor when paired with a Geforce 8800GT, since 3D games are limited by the graphics card these days. At around $70 retail, it is a steal for so much processing power. Pair it with a good P35 motherboard, and you leave yourself room to upgrade to a better processor in the future when they become affordable.

Strengths: CHEAP! Overclocks to 2.8ghz - 3.2ghz on air cooling

Weaknesses: Lower Cache than the higher model duos which could be a problem if you do a lot of multimedia heavy editing/encoding.

Summary: I bought the m0 stepping of this processor. Its a crippled core duo coming with only 512kb cache per core 1mb total, unlike the higher model duos with 2mb cache and up. But non the less paired with an Abit IP35e & Hyper TX2 Cooler I was able to over clock this to 3.0ghz on stock cooling. I only paid $65 shipped for this chip, and to get such performance you would need to spend around $200 or more! Seriously if your on a budget and don't do tons of multimedia Editing & Encoding, then buy this chip with a good board and decent memory. For under $300 for a system build that clocks in at 3Ghz I could not be happier. Dollar for dollar this chip is a Bang for your buck!

Strengths: core 2 duo

Weaknesses: cheap

Summary: It is a good cheap processor for HTPC. It is very fast and can be overclocked. It is not ideal for gamers and video editors. But for average users it is perfect. Great value for money

Strengths: price, easy to install

Weaknesses: none

Summary: this is the entry level dual core processor from intel. it was very easy to install with/without the instructions. this is a nice add to my budget computer build. i have not really tried to overclock this cpu yet but it seems easy enough following motherboard instructions. i did not install the included cpu fan so i can't comment on that. bottom line: between what it cost (vs. previous generation processors) and its performance, this is a great processor for almost every computer user out there.

Strengths: Cheap, great overclocker

Weaknesses: Small cache

Summary: I picked up this processor along with a cheap Gigabyte ga-p35-ds3l motherboard. The end result: it runs at 2.8GHz no problem! I was hoping to break the 3GHz mark, but it doesn't want to post at much over 2.8. Keep in mind, this processor is only rated at 1.6GHz, so 2.8 is nothing to balk at! In application, I couldn't be happier with this cpu. It runs circles around my old Athlon X2 3800+ (2GHz). Even at the stock 1.6GHz, I'm seeing a 20% performance increase in video rendering. At my overclocked 2.8GHz, it perform nearly twice as well in all my benchmarks.Don't be put off by this processors cheap price and low stock clock speed. This processor can easily keep up with ones three times it's price. There is nothing to not like about it! Depending on your application, the smaller cache may not even make a difference. Highly recommended.

Strengths: Price, overclockability

Weaknesses: 1mb L2 cache

Summary: This chip is cheap - meaning it's inexpensive - not low quality.I've put together a number of systems with this processor, & the lowest overclock I've achieved (with value ram & budget mobos, mind you), is ~500mhz. I've had two cpus go to 2.6ghz & those don't even approach the best results I've seen online.Even at stock speeds, these will tear through any normal/average home/office user's day to day apps. OC'd to >2.4ghz, they hold their own against processors that cost twice as much. They are a tremendous value.

Strengths: cheap price with moderate performance

Weaknesses: cache size (only 1 mega), somewhat slow when playing games

Summary: Unbelievable performance with its cheap price. You can do anything with this processor including word, web surfing, games (although it is somewhat slow, movies and so on.It works great with my Samsung memory (ddr2-667) andMSI 945G motherboard. Quiet fan with reasonable cooling.I didn't try any overclocking, but this one is famous forits great overclocking possibility.

Strengths: Low cost, decent performance at stock speed. Low power/heat.

Weaknesses: Intel stock heatsink/fan seems a bit cheesy (all aluminum) but seems to do the trick. More cache would be nice but can't be expected at this price.

Summary: This is a great little processor to use as a low power internet surfing/desktop publishing rig or htpc. Overclocked they deliver quite a punch. I've got a friend *cough* whose E2140 will run Super Pi 32M stable 3.2GHz@default voltage. Pair this with a good P35 motherboard and this will easily tide you over until the 45nm chips arrive. About the only people I don't recommend this for are hard core overclockers/gamers who run at least an 8800GTS video card and want maximum performance or those who need quad cores.

Strengths: Highly overclockable, Affordable

Weaknesses: 1mb L2 cache

Summary: Remember the days of the highly overclockable Northwood core? Well, this chip is now the king of overclockablity. With the right motherboard, memory and power supply, you can obtain 100% overclocking to 3.2ghz on the stock cooler! The performance at 3.2ghz will beat the more expense e6850. If you?re considering a sub $100 AMD X2, forget it. At stock speed, the Intel will beat the AMD in all benchmarks. If you?re a gamer, Get the chip, overclock it and spend the extra money you saved on a good video card.

Strengths: Core2Duo power at a good price

Weaknesses: Overclocking not a guarantee

Summary: What can you say about C2Ds that hasn't already been said? They're fast, they're at a good price, and if you're lucky the chip will overclock to the moon. This one of mine hasn't, "only" up to 2.1 from 1.6, but I haven't tried too hard at it yet, either. Runnning it at stock for awhile, it's still plenty fast -- games play fine, it can play 1080p HDTV at 50% or so max usage, etc. If you need fast video encoding speed or something you might be better off with a guaranteed-higher ghz model, but for the price this is hard to beat. The 1mb cache only affects certain applications.

Strengths: Dual Core, low cost, runs very cool, quiet.

Weaknesses: Nothing noticeable. 1MB L2 cache, 1.6 GHz clock speed (but can be overclocked)

Summary: Used with one of the cheapest combo motherboards I could find with 2gb ddr2 667 memory, and a 160gb hard drive. Installing the processor was easy, seating the heatsink and fan wasn't difficult but takes quite a bit of force before it will lock into place. Runs great at the stock 1.6ghz; applications open and run quickly and multitasking isn't a problem. This processor is known to be a great overclocker but I was very limited by my motherboard. My Setup: Intel E2140 retail processor. ECS P4M900T-M Motherboard (onboard audio & video). 1gb - HP ddr2 667mhz memory. 160gb Maxtor sataII hard drive.