Core 2 Decision

[ncage]

Hey guys i have a delima here. I am trying to decide if i should buy a core 2 now. First of all. I only play games once in a blue moon. I am not a hard core gamer so i don't need SLI/Crossfire. I am a overclocker though. I try to get very ounce of performance out of my system. You might ask why if i don't play games? There are a lot of other things that require high performance other than just games. I run VM software a lot and this is another reason i want a new processor so i can get either pacfica or vanderpool technology. If you have ever run visual studio 2005 you will know how much system juice it takes too.

Anyways it seems like the board right is hot right now and can overclock really well is really a gamerboard and has stuff i don't need. I really don't want to spend $250 either. What do you guys thing. What for nvidia chipset boards to start showing up or go ahead and get one now? I really want the e6600. What do you all think? Should i wait?

Edit: I forgot to say my main system is a x2 3800+ now.

 

[lopri]

Originally posted by: ncage
I really want the e6600.

Just get it. And be honest it's not about performance. You know you'll think about it everyday until you have one.

 

[Furen]

You already have an overclocked X2 3800+? I wouldn't bother unless you need the extra system. Then again, I have more systems than I use, too.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Furen
You already have an overclocked X2 3800+? I wouldn't bother unless you need the extra system. Then again, I have more systems than I use, too.

Yeah, at one point I had no less than eight fully functioning computers in my house. Finally, at one point, I said to myself, "What the hell is wrong with me?" And sold everything off except my server, wife's PC and my lappy here.

OP: If you already have a 939 system, you might as well just take advantage of the really nice AMD price cuts and get yourself a higher end X2. But if you got your X2 3800 anywhere near 3GHz (2.7/2.8) I wouldn't even bother.

Best thing to do is try to get someone who has a Conroe, and the software you use, and ask them to bench it for you and compare it with your system. Just to see if it is worth it to you to go to a new platform. /2cents

 

[harpoon84]

Originally posted by: Furen
You already have an overclocked X2 3800+? I wouldn't bother unless you need the extra system. Then again, I have more systems than I use, too.

I disagree, an E6600 is MUCH faster than an X2 3800+, at stock speeds I'd estimate around 30% on average, and for applications that require a lot of CPU grunt, that makes a big difference.

Since ncage indicates he is an overclocker, the gulf becomes even wider. E6600s are getting anywhere between 3.5 - 4GHz overclocks on air cooling, with an X2 3800+ you'd do well to get 3GHz.

Considering 3.5 - 4GHz on a Conroe is roughly equivalent to a 4.5GHz - 5GHz X2, I'd say thats a big overall improvement in CPU intensive applications.

 

[Soul Colossus]

Originally posted by: harpoon84

Originally posted by: Furen
You already have an overclocked X2 3800+? I wouldn't bother unless you need the extra system. Then again, I have more systems than I use, too.

I disagree, an E6600 is MUCH faster than an X2 3800+, at stock speeds I'd estimate around 30% on average, and for applications that require a lot of CPU grunt, that makes a big difference.

Since his current system is S939, he'd have to buy a new motherboard and some DDR2 ram, which would add up.

 

[harpoon84]

Originally posted by: Soul Colossus

Originally posted by: harpoon84

Originally posted by: Furen
You already have an overclocked X2 3800+? I wouldn't bother unless you need the extra system. Then again, I have more systems than I use, too.

I disagree, an E6600 is MUCH faster than an X2 3800+, at stock speeds I'd estimate around 30% on average, and for applications that require a lot of CPU grunt, that makes a big difference.

Since his current system is S939, he'd have to buy a new motherboard and some DDR2 ram, which would add up.

True, but he can always sell his S939 system to make *some* of that money back.

My general rule in upgrading is to do it when I can see a noticeable difference.

X2 3800+ -> E6600 will certainly be a noticeable jump, though as you said it does cost $$$ to upgrade.

 

[BlingBlingArsch]

wait for mobo prices to drop and c2 revision release.

 

[nyker96]

If you gonna OC a core 2, better wait a bit for better m.b. from nvidia etc to reach market and also for lots current boards to reach a reasonable stability, maybe a few months time will do. In addition, would be better to wait for a few more steppings on the core chip as well since they usually improve OC ability as they improve manufacturing process on those chips.

 

[ncage]

Originally posted by: Furen
You already have an overclocked X2 3800+? I wouldn't bother unless you need the extra system. Then again, I have more systems than I use, too.

Ya my 3800+ x2 is overclocked to around 2500 ( a little heigher i believe). Thanks guys for all your coments. I just really wanted something with hardware virtualization. On overclocking by anandtechs review it looks like the things are overclocking very well already. They were able to get the e6600 up to almost 4ghz i believe.

ncage