CPU Upgrade: Q8400 or Q9400?

[AnotherGuy]

Right now i can find the Q8400 for $170 shipped while the q9400 for $214...

Im planning to use my current setup (Asus P5k mobo) and 2x2gb G. Skill ddr2 8500...

I would like to overclock it and keep it that way 24/7 to about 3.6ghz or more if possible. I will use the Cooler Arctic 7 and arctic silver for cooling... I hear the q8400 runs really cool.

I will be using it mostly for gaming...

Do u think that 2mb extra cache on the Q9400 is worth $44... or do u think the q8400 can make up for it by being able to oc more than the q9400 ( not sure if thats a fact or not)

Which 1 do u recommend...

 

[maluckey]

Both of the chips overclock well (almost the same), but if 44 bucks is an obstacle, then maybe the Q8400 is your best bet.

Future proofing is one of the reasons to go for the Q9400, but if you only keep your CPU for a couple of years then maybe the Q8400 is still the better choice.

Tough call. I went for future proof.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Yeah, if purchasing the 9400 will make you feel better longer, which i guess is what people consider "future proofing" then go for it.

 

[A554SS1N]

I'd get a Q9550 instead for $230: Link

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Q9400. I have mine at 3.75ghz 1.31v. Have had it up to 4.0 but temps were too high. I'm sure if you got a q9400 and a prolimatech megahalems you would have no problem getting 4.0ghz. Haven't found anything to push my cpu so I'll just stick with this for the time being.

 

[PCTC2]

Microcenter on Long Island has a Q9400 for $180. I have mine at 3.73GHz, held back by my RAM (it's at DDR2-934. I need to pick up some DDR2-1066 to get a better OC).

http://microcenter.com/single_...tml?product_id=0301968

 

[atlantis1990]

I chose the Q8400, so far i have had no real problem with it works great with the games i play such as crysis....I don't really see the point in spending 44 dollars more for the Q9400

 

[AnotherGuy]

Originally posted by: PCTC2
Microcenter on Long Island has a Q9400 for $180. I have mine at 3.73GHz, held back by my RAM (it's at DDR2-934. I need to pick up some DDR2-1066 to get a better OC).

http://microcenter.com/single_...tml?product_id=0301968

Wow i think thats a deal breaker right there... I wish i could order it online with that price or i wish i lived close by... I thought that was the price for shipping it so i got so happy at first only to find out that u gotta pick it up from the store... ill look around and mayb just pick an 8400 i guess

 

[lopri]

Originally posted by: A554SS1N
I'd get a Q9550 instead for $230: Link

Agreed.

 

[elconejito]

if you're going to pay $215 you might as well pay the $230 and get the Q9550. Otherwise, save the dough with the Q8400 unless you see some benchmark in one of your games that the Q9400 kills the Q8400 at.

 

[AnotherGuy]

I bought a used q9400 for $155... lets hope everything turns out fine

 

[SunSamurai]

Originally posted by: maluckey
Both of the chips overclock well (almost the same), but if 44 bucks is an obstacle, then maybe the Q8400 is your best bet.

Future proofing is one of the reasons to go for the Q9400, but if you only keep your CPU for a couple of years then maybe the Q8400 is still the better choice.

Tough call. I went for future proof.

Do you mean future resistant.