Can’t Find an E8400? Pick the Xeon E3110 Instead!

I’ve posted a few times this week regarding stock of 45nm Xeon Quad-Cores that are becoming available all over the place, but now it’s time to focus on the Dual-Cores, since there are many people who are looking for them, but are out of luck. It’s hard to believe, but it’s already been over fifty days since we reviewed the 3.0GHz Core 2 Duo E8400, and they still cannot be found in regular stock.

We posed the question earlier this week, and it applies here as well. Why not consider a Xeon? The E8400 equivalent is the E3110… the specifications are identical, so what’s to lose? Nothing, that’s what. In fact, you gain in most cases. While the E8400 retails for around $260 from most e-tailers when it’s actually in stock, the E3110 costs $30 less.

I have to give props to NCIX, because they have been kicking ass lately with their stock and pricing. They are currently selling the E3110 cheaper than anyone else, at $207. Yes… this 3.0GHz Dual-Core offering is $207! The second-best price I could find was at PC Connection, where it’s $230. Sadly, Canucks have to pay a small premium, but it’s on par with the E8400, at $250.

Though I’d still be quicker to recommend the Quad-Core X3350 that I mentioned in yesterday’s posting, for those who insist on a Dual-Core (or straight-out don’t need a Quad), then the E3110 is the right choice. Though overclocking success is different with each chip, our E8400 (retail chip) overclocked to a stable 3.83GHz using stock voltages, and chances are that the E3110 should not be much different.

• Xeon E3110 3.0GHz – NCIX Canada ($250)
• Xeon E3110 3.0GHz – NCIX US ($207)
• Xeon E3110 3.0GHz – PC Connection ($230)

Update: Thanks to werty316 for finding a better NCIX Canadian link that has the E3110 for $220!