CPU choice

[Warhawk]

Hi guys, what would be better, getting a Q6600 or a really fast core 2 duo? I wanna know because I wanna upgrade to 4GB of RAM and I don't want to buy DDR RAM. I was also thinking of getting rid of my SLI board and getting a crossfire board as well. What are you guys's thoughts on this? Also, what are good websites to compare CPU's besides toms hardware?

Thanks in advance

[Kradath]

Re: CPU choice

You want to buy an Intel cpu with that avatar?

I think AMD/ATi has the best products in the mid-area. I personally had to many problems with nVidia to buy a product of them in the next time. So I would recommend you to buy a normal decent board, because I don't think SLI and Crossfire are worth the money.

[sava700]

Re: CPU choice

Go Intel for CPU... the prices are low even 4 gigs of ram is cheap. Stick with a single high end card..SLI just really isn't needed unless your going to run high settings on a 24" or larger Digital LCD. But I wouldnt' give up SLI (nVidia) to go to crossfire thats for sure!

You might wanna skip over to guru3d.com and read up.. I like their reviews more than any others.

[Warhawk]

Re: CPU choice

thanks for the the helpful comments. Yeah I'm pretty much set on my video card, I've been buying ATI's since I was gaming with my 9800 Pro and I have loved them since. I guess I'll stick with this video card and get a new cpu/ram/mobo combo. But the question still remains, Q6600 vs. fast high end core 2 duo in the same price range.

But I Think I like this mobo, great price!!: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128059

And I know I want 4GB of DDR2 (cheap as hell)

Now I'm just stuck on what model intel cpu to get.

[ALANMAN]

Re: CPU choice

I'd go for a faster dual core at this point. Clock speed is still the determining factor in performance for a large majority of current games.

I was faced with the same dilema a few months back. My PC is mostly for gaming, so I chose the 3.0 GHz E8400 Dual core over the 2.4 GHz Q6600 Quad core.

I'd recommend the E8400, esp. right now because it's in stock on newegg.com and includes free shipping. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037 :yay:

It's also 45nm, so it overclocks like a beast

[Eagle101]

Re: CPU choice

I agree with Alanman, a E8400 will do you well esp. cause its a 45nm chip, and its price is insanely good!!! Besides Quads is a big no no for gaming right now, imho.

[=98=]

Re: CPU choice

For simply gaming purposes, a fast Core 2 Duo such as an E8400 would be better. you can even overclock it to 4ghz on air with only a small Vcore increase.

However, obviously the Q6600 is better at multithreaded applications and again, can be overclocked.

You need to think about your primary computer use and choose a CPU on that basis.

In my opinion, if you have a good graphics card, you don't need the extra 1-2fps that a E8400 might get you over a Q6600.

In this situation, the Q6600 would be my choice, but be sure to overclock it :)

[Hellsent 2.0]

Re: CPU choice

Indeed i would chose the q6600 as it is quad core and things are only going to have to use more cores...as well you can overclock it pretty easily and far up to 3.4Ghz on air..Totaly up to you..You will see totally different experience with everything if ya get the q6600..if ya get the e8400 you just might get a few frames a second...

[signa]

Re: CPU choice

also the Q6600 is only $200 at microcenter. I have one and its much better than the E6600 (yes i know they are the same speed.)

[Hellsent 2.0]

Re: CPU choice

Im tepmpted to nab a E8400 their 120 quid at ebuyer with free shipping..Q6600 are still £130 with shipping at scan.co.uk..Lol america is lucky..$200 for Q6600..Here its still £139.99 thats like $280...pfft..USA....

[Warhawk]

Re: CPU choice

now what if I got a Q9300 )

[Warhawk]

Re: CPU choice

Hey i just remembered my 3870 can do PCI express 2.0. Anyone know of any good motherboards that can do 2.0 and aren't very expensive?? Is pci express 2.0 even worth it? Its seems difficult to find a decent pci e 2.0 board for under $150.

[ALANMAN]

Re: CPU choice

The 3870 is compatable with PCI-Express 2.0. However, there's no way it can use as much bandwidth as the PCI-E 2.0 bus is capable of providing. Infact, there isn't any single GPU solution yet that can, so there wouldn't much of an impact going from PCI-E 1.0/1.1 to 2.0

Also - I haven't checked prices between PCI-E 1.0/1.1 Mobos and PCI-E 2.0 Mobos lately, but you could possibly save some money.

Decent article and benchmark comparison if you'd like to read more about it:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pci-express-2-0,1915.html