Yes... "E" series processors are dual cores with locked multipliers.

 

E = Core 2 Duo; locked multiplier

X = Core 2 Duo (Extreme); unlocked multiplier

Q = Core 2 Quad; locked multiplier

QX = Core 2 Quad (Extreme); unlocked multiplier

Zerin,

any of the extreme edition processors are overclockable...

Although as you said the newer intel processors do need a BIOS update in order to play nice (overclock) with the 720 MOBO

You dont need to buy SLI ready ram when you buy a new processor...but for squeezing the last bit of powah out of your set it it can't hurt

Arn't the "E" series locked by intel?

if you use the ntune program you should be able to oc the processor. but like cademetz says you will oc both the processor and the memory...

 

I have my Q6600 Oc's up to 2727 using ntune with DD2 800 mhz mem oc'd to 909.....

 

So it all depends on how much oc'ing you want.....

 

I am try to push a movement to get Dell to open up our Bios's..I can just imagine what new frontiers this might make with the upgrade mb..........Bios Bios...

 

 

Yes i have gotten the Oc bug......

Thanks for the replies... so the lack of overclocking I've seen discussed is actually a function of the locked multiplier and not a limitation of the motherboard itself.  Great to know.  I think I'll wait to upgrade till the prices come down a bit on the higher end CPUs, my E6600 is running great and I don't really need to upgrade till Crysis comes out ;)

 

 

A CPU's speed is based on the FSB and a clock multiplier. For example, the Q6600 runs at a FSB of 266MHz and a multiplier of 9: 266x9=2,394. A E6850 runs at a FSB of 333MHz and a multiplier of 9: 333x9=2,997.

 

So, there are three ways to overclock a processor:

1) Adjust the clock multiplier

2) Adjust the FSB

3) Adjust both the clock multiplier and the FSB

 

Adjusting the clock multiplier is often the easiest because it ONLY affects the CPU. Adjusting the FSB has an effect on the CPU AND the memory as well as the chipset itself.

 

I won't bore you with lots of details... unless you want me to, and I'll lay out some examples.