CPU Suggestion

guy93

Senior member
Aug 2, 2008
341
3
81
I am thinking about getting a new pc for gaming. now im confused about if i should go for the i7 processor or stick with the core 2 quad cpu. i want this pc to last a while.
 

JMapleton

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2008
4,179
2
81
Originally posted by: jellyrole
You recommended that, but you didn't even think to ask what his current specs are..

Did not think to. If he has that or better he should be able to handle most all games, imo.
 

FalseChristian

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2002
3,322
0
71
You want to stick to the Core2Quad. Core i7 is way to expensive what with a new cooler, DDR3 and the ultra-expensive mobos. Core i7s are very confusing when it comes to overclocking.:sun:
 
Nov 26, 2005
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Start with an 8400 I think the E0 steppings are out and overclock easily to 4Ghz on air and stock voltages. Get a good mobo; either a X38 X48 or P45 and get a really GPU. Needless to say 4Gb of DDR2 will cost @ 60$ I'd either get DDR2 1066 or 900. 900 will max the ram by 4050Ghz from the CPU.
 

TidusZ

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2007
1,765
2
81
Originally posted by: JMapleton
Originally posted by: jellyrole
You recommended that, but you didn't even think to ask what his current specs are..

Did not think to. If he has that or better he should be able to handle most all games, imo.

Tell me Jmapleton, if an i7 system will be good for 5 years in your opinion, will an e8400 system be good for 4? 3.5? In your opinion.

Originally posted by: FalseChristian
Core i7s are very confusing when it comes to overclocking.:sun:

Not so much confusing for overclocking as simply not so good. Unless you have an excess of liquid nitrogen or your furnace is broken, although fixing your furnace might be cheaper than buying even the x58 motherboard.
 

exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
8,518
8
91
Originally posted by: TidusZ
Originally posted by: JMapleton
Originally posted by: jellyrole
You recommended that, but you didn't even think to ask what his current specs are..

Did not think to. If he has that or better he should be able to handle most all games, imo.

Tell me Jmapleton, if an i7 system will be good for 5 years in your opinion, will an e8400 system be good for 4? 3.5? In your opinion.

Originally posted by: FalseChristian
Core i7s are very confusing when it comes to overclocking.:sun:

Not so much confusing for overclocking as simply not so good. Unless you have an excess of liquid nitrogen or your furnace is broken, although fixing your furnace might be cheaper than buying even the x58 motherboard.

There are some VERY ininformed comments here. Overclocking the i7 is basically the same as overclocking a A64 or Phenom; nuff said.

Secondly, how does the i7 not overclock well?

Q6600 2.4 (stock) ---> 3.6 (good average OC without a crazy voltage = 50% OC
i7 920 (2.66 stock) ----> 3.8 (good average OC with little or no voltage increase) = 42% OC

You get less power usage at idle, and about the same at load (10% more if you compare to 45nm quads) with more than a 10% increase in performance.
 

dguy6789

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2002
8,558
3
76
Not everyone has a need/desire to go to the limit of their overclock. I am running my Q9550 at only 3.4Ghz, I could probably get another 400mhz out of it if I really wanted to, but I am happy with my current settings.
 

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
0
71
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Start with an 8400 I think the E0 steppings are out and overclock easily to 4Ghz on air and stock voltages.
I don't know why you keep repeating this, because there's no such certainty.
 
Nov 26, 2005
15,094
312
126
Originally posted by: DSF
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Start with an 8400 I think the E0 steppings are out and overclock easily to 4Ghz on air and stock voltages.
I don't know why you keep repeating this, because there's no such certainty.

Name one person that hasn't gotten an (EDIT: 8400) E0 stepping to 4Ghz (EDIT2: on air and within stock vlts)
 

OCGuy

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
27,227
36
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Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Originally posted by: DSF
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Start with an 8400 I think the E0 steppings are out and overclock easily to 4Ghz on air and stock voltages.
I don't know why you keep repeating this, because there's no such certainty.

Name one person that hasn't gotten an E0 stepping to 4Ghz

Its the "Stock voltages" that is the problem.
 

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
0
71
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Originally posted by: DSF
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Start with an 8400 I think the E0 steppings are out and overclock easily to 4Ghz on air and stock voltages.
I don't know why you keep repeating this, because there's no such certainty.

Name one person that hasn't gotten an (EDIT: 8400) E0 stepping to 4Ghz (EDIT2: on air and within stock vlts)

John Smith.
 
Nov 26, 2005
15,094
312
126
Originally posted by: DSF
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Originally posted by: DSF
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Start with an 8400 I think the E0 steppings are out and overclock easily to 4Ghz on air and stock voltages.
I don't know why you keep repeating this, because there's no such certainty.

Name one person that hasn't gotten an (EDIT: 8400) E0 stepping to 4Ghz (EDIT2: on air and within stock vlts)

John Smith.

prove it
 

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
0
71
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Originally posted by: DSF
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Originally posted by: DSF
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
Start with an 8400 I think the E0 steppings are out and overclock easily to 4Ghz on air and stock voltages.
I don't know why you keep repeating this, because there's no such certainty.

Name one person that hasn't gotten an (EDIT: 8400) E0 stepping to 4Ghz (EDIT2: on air and within stock vlts)

John Smith.

prove it

Considering that you're the one making the original claim, the burden of proof is really on you. Clearly my John Smith answer was facetious, but let's be honest. There was the occasional Q6600 that didn't make it to 3.0 GHz on stock voltage even though many of them did. There's no reason to believe the E8400 is any different, especially with an aggressive 33% overclock.

I know you consider aigomorla to be very knowledgeable, so ask him. He has more overclocking experience than either one of us.