Choosing a cpu

[colt1911]

First I'd like to say I'm new here and hello to everyone. I 'm in the process of building my first Intel based rig and would like some advice. I have this mobo (Asus P5N32-E SLI nForce 680i SLI Socket 775 1333MHz DDR2-800 ATX ) and this memory (Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4 2GB Kit DDR2-800 XMS2-6400 Xtreme Performance x 2 for a total of 4gigs ) already my problem is choosing a cpu. I've read tons of articles on quads and c2d and have been looking at the Q6600 vs the E6850. I'm aliitle scared of the quads temps though and will only be using air cooling ( an aftermarket one ) . According to the intel price drops they will be about the same price on July 22. I 'd really like some input from some experts before I make this purchase. I only play games and do general PC stuff and also I'll mildly do some overclocking . So enough said if someone could help me out it would be most appreciated . Please also include what cpu cooler you would choose. Thanks

 

[MarcVenice]

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2067707&enterthread=y

Read that, a lot of opinions on qauds versus dual cores. My opinion is that if you are gaming and do some 'general' PC stuff, you're better of with a cheaper dual core cpu, that will clock higher then a qaud when overclocked, and invest any money saved on a better videocard. If you get a C2D clocked at 2.6-3ghz, then from there on out it's all about the graphics card, more cpu won't result in better framerates or better playability, nor will 2 extra cores, at least not for now.

 

[Cybercraig]

+1 Yea, what Marc said. I guess if I got a SUPER deal I might be tempted to go with the Quad.

 

[colt1911]

Thanks for the info , I think I'll go with the E6850. What cooler would you recommend? I've looked at Zalman 9700 and the Thermalright ultra 120? Also what is this Intel TXT thats going to be on the new cpu's?

 

[MarcVenice]

Thermalright hands down, and no idea wha this Intel TXT is, google it

 

[VERTIGGO]

E6850. I'm currently orthosing at 3500MHz with 1.456V.

Ultra 120 Xtreme. CPU load: 43C, NB: 28C, Air intake: 25.3C (Core0/1 read 52C in speedfan which is TJunction and usually ~15C hotter than the CPU reading)

running Mushkin HP2-6400 5-4-4-12 at 2.0V 389MHz (1:1 with FSB)

best $800 I've spent in a while!

 

[colt1911]

Thanks for the info, I was just about to order the zalman 9700 but on second thought I'll get the ultra 120 xtreme. Did you have any problems installing it ? I heard of people having to lap it for it to work right. Also is the weight a problem on the mobo?

Just to let this forum know I've visited many forums and even tried to help others that I could and I 'm very impressed with the way things are done around here. Great site please keep up the good work and thanks to all.

 

[MarcVenice]

Erm Vertiggo, why are you comparing your e6600 with the e6850 and with a qaud, since your chip is running so nice, he should go dualcore ? Your post made me think you were actually running a e6850 ?

Btw, I would go with the e6750, not the e6850. With a MILD overclock, you will get it to run faster then a e6850, so why bother with one ?

 

[VERTIGGO]

The 6850 will give you the best performance gaming right now. I meant 6850. as a statement that he should go for it (my bad). My sig shows my status. I'm saying that a Q6600 will not overclock even this far on air, and the 6850 will most likely give him a few 100MHz more than I get. OCing these duos is a dream. Installing the Ultra Extreme was no problem, it does rotate freely when installed but the spring loaded screws keep it tight. It wiggles ever so slightly leading me to believe I could use some lapping (some day soon maybe) but the temps are so badass with it that I don't need to. I kept trying to test at 3600 with my ram all stock (since you can't divide lower than 1:1 (I can't find a way anyway), but even at 1.52V it would randomly restat. I think the wall for my chip (week 11) is right between 3500 and 3600, as the temps were still 47C with 1.52V and it's running 7 hours stable on Orthos at 3500MHz 1.456V. Idle CPU is 21C (it falls from 42C to 23C in exactly 3 seconds on idle) and the mobo stays at 28C whether loaded or not. As far as weight I'm not sure since I set my case horizontal (probably better for the heatpipes anyway) but it's not that heavy and the mount and back plate are quite strong. Also I applied the generic thermalright paste in the Athlon method I'm used to (pin head sized ball), but what I'm hearing now is to apply a thin verticle line (triangle on CPU being in the lower left corner). Thermalright includes a large tube of paste that is white like AS5, but if I lap this baby I'll try the "preferred method" for core 2 duo with AS5.