CPU Recommendation

[eriznik]

I recently was given a used MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 nForce 650i motherboard and am going to build a new machine with it. Does anyone care to recommend a good CPU? I am considering Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad.

The machine will be used mostly for gaming, watching movies/videos and will be running Vista 64. Is that processor good enough or should I be looking at something else? I have been using AMD CPUs for so long I am no longer familiar with the Intel line up.

Thanks,

E.

 

[masteryoda34]

The Q6600 is still a good processor for the money but the Q9000 series are based on the new 45nm tech and thus run cooler and overclock better. They also have some architectural improvements.

 

[eriznik]

What about the E8500?

It's also built on 45nm tech, is clocked faster, but is duo core. It's $50 less than the Q9300 (the least expensive Q9 I could find). Ultimately, I'd like to keep the cost of the CPU (not including aftermarket fan/heatsink) below $200. Do you think the E8500 would be a good compromise between the Q6600 and Q9300? I really can't think of anything I'd be running (at least near term) where I'd benefit from Quad core mulithread support.

 

[nyker96]

if you game now the e8500 is quite good. but if you don't plan to upgrade again to quad latter then get q9550 if money is no problem.

 

[masteryoda34]

Originally posted by: eriznik
I really can't think of anything I'd be running (at least near term) where I'd benefit from Quad core mulithread support.

I think you answered your own question then.

 

[brencat]

Before you drop a 45nm CPU in there, especially an E0 E8500, I'd ask your friend which Bios version he was running on that board and make sure it can POST with the CPU and stepping you plan to put into it.

 

[nyker96]

Originally posted by: brencat
Before you drop a 45nm CPU in there, especially an E0 E8500, I'd ask your friend which Bios version he was running on that board and make sure it can POST with the CPU and stepping you plan to put into it.

that's a great tip.

 

[lucasautomacao]

How much do you intend to spend? In short terms, a higher clocked dual core is better than a simple quad, as we know it, and I believe it'll take quite long until these Q6600 pass by a E8500.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I went Quad. No reason not to...games today use GPU more than ever and CPU isn't the main issue when counting FPS. So you can't lose with any modern CPU on socket 775 at 3.2Ghz or higher. At that point, you're getting somewhat diminishing returns and are looking at beefing your GPU for games like far Cry 2.

 

[ihyagp]

quad 45nm's do NOT lilke 650i.

go with the q6600 or an e8500

 

[msarp]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
I went Quad. No reason not to...games today use GPU more than ever and CPU isn't the main issue when counting FPS. So you can't lose with any modern CPU on socket 775 at 3.2Ghz or higher. At that point, you're getting somewhat diminishing returns and are looking at beefing your GPU for games like far Cry 2.

This True until GTA4 for the PC came along. It loves Quads!