Dual Core or Quad Core?WHICH is good for me?

[itakey]

I'm looking to upgrade my computer, I currently have the Abit IP-35E motherboard with an Intel Dual Core E2160 chip and 1GBX4=4GB of ram.

I just checked and the IP-35E can easily run a newer dual core, or quad core. I am thinking of going quad core and upgrade to 8gb of ram. Here is a list of processors my motherboard can handle:http://www.abit.com.tw/cpu-support-list/mb/intel_p35_ip35.htm

I don't game at all. BUT, I do use photoshop a lot, dreamweaver, watch a lot of web video, and I multi-task like its going out of style!

Think a dual core is enough for my needs, or should I go quad core? I like my computer to be FAST and it seems like the computer is never fast enough for me, I work very fast.

Was thinking something like this:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400, the Q9300, or an Intel Dual Core E6700 or something like that. Basically breaks down to around $200 for the quad core, or $100 for the dual core give or take.

For ram i'll go with either of these 2, 8GB Total:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...in_DDR2_SDRAM_DDR2_800-_-20-231-122-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145&Tpk=N82E16820231145

Side note, I don't really want to overclock. I've overclocked half a dozen chips but don't have the time anymore to play with it, so i'm trying to run stock, or a quick overclock that is safe and won't require too much adjusting.

Opinions on dual or quad core? Don't want to spend more than $200 on a processor.

 

[Rifter]

quad for sure, the best you can find for $200, if you can track down a Q9550 for $200 used that will hold you over for a while.

 

[itakey]

quad for sure, the best you can find for $200, if you can track down a Q9550 for $200 used that will hold you over for a while.

I see it for around $278 on Newegg, and for about $240+/- at the no-name places.

Is there a chip that is just below this more in the $200 range that is on top of its game and still decent?

Another question, what's the deal with the i7 chips and all those other model chips? worth upgrading my motherboard and the whole rig to something different, or will the Quad Core chip with 8GB last me a while? Its been 3 years on my E2160 and I've been pleased considering I only paid $80 for the processor way back then, but its time for an upgrade, or a new machine.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Q9300, Q9400, Q9450, or Q9505 should be good for you, too. They are substantial improvements over an E2160. Q8400 wouldn't be a bad choice, either, but try to find it for less than $150.

 

[itakey]

Q9300, Q9400, Q9450, or Q9505 should be good for you, too. They are substantial improvements over an E2160. Q8400 wouldn't be a bad choice, either, but try to find it for less than $150.

Thanks for the additional tips. Does 6MB L2 Cache VS. 12MB make a big difference? Should I be considering the higher level Cache, or is 6MB for my needs ok?

 

[TurtleCrusher]

L2 cache doesn't make a huge difference with the Core2 past about 1MB per core. As evidenced by the newer E6700 (3.3ghz?) was comparable to an E8500 is most benchmarks. That's 2mb vs 6mb. 6MB (1vs3mb per core) is plenty for a Core2.



If you can snag a Q8400 on the cheap ($125 or less) i'd get that. Otherwise, someone is bound to sell you a Q9550 for $170 or less. In between isn't really a good option unless it makes for a really good deal.

 

[itakey]

Thanks for all the speCIFICS AND TIPS!
Considering the Q9550 and the others based on price.

Question, will my power supply power a quad-core?380W?
Antec earthwatts EA380 380W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Or do I need something with more wattage?

Considering the Q8400 and the Q9550

 

[TurtleCrusher]

What video card do you have? That matters a lot.

I would get atleast a 400w Corsairs to be safe, since they are better than Antec in PSUs (typically). If you have a dedicated card i'd go with a 500w from a reputable brand.

PCP@C, Corsair, Antec, etc.

 

[Rifter]

Thanks for all the speCIFICS AND TIPS!
Considering the Q9550 and the others based on price.

Question, will my power supply power a quad-core?380W?
Antec earthwatts EA380 380W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Or do I need something with more wattage?

Considering the Q8400 and the Q9550

what GPU? that 380w PSU is going to be struggling with a quad and any kind of high end GPU.

 

[itakey]

My GPU is a plain jane one, nothing fancy. These are the details:
XFX PVT86SWAHG GeForce 8400 GS 256MB on-board Supporting 512MB DDR2 PCI Express HoHS Vista Ready Video Card

If not I see a few Corsair ones in the $70 to $80 range like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...e=corsair_power_supply-_-17-139-005-_-Product

Think I could possibly pull it off with the one I have and this GPU since it isn't too fancy?

 

[superccs]

I would be weary of upgrading based on that ABIT board, they have gone out of business so no support, and my IP35 Pro XE recently died after 2 year of use.

If you want core per dollar value, I can recommend going to an AM3 board and picking up a x4 AMD Phenom II cpu. There are some stellar budget boards available that really allow you to pack on performance.

It would just suck to get all this new kit for the 775 and then have your board crap out on you.

I recommend a Phenom II 955 ($150?), 880gx mobo ($75-100?), and the ram ($200?).... this should only cost around <$500.

What do you guys think?

 

[Rifter]

i think if hes only got $200 then he has no choice but to go for a 775 CPU upgrade.

And that PSU will run a quad and that 8400GS no problem.

 

[itakey]

boy you guys sure did throw a wrench into the mix
I can spend more if necessary, but when I saw that my 3 year old machine accepted a quad-core and 8gb of ram I figured it would be a cheaper upgrade.

I might just take the chance and upgrade the board. Abit is completely out of business? guessing that means no more bios updates.

As I mentioned before I don't game at all. Just do a lot of photoshop, keep my browser open with a million windows, and multi-task like wild. I may want to do some minor video editing eventually though, but nothing crazy just for the web.

Here are my options:
1.) Stick with this machine, get one of the Q processors we've discussed, and spend another $180 for 8GB of ram (2GBX4 sticks) This upgrade in theory will be $400+

2.) Wait and build a new machine with different parts and spend a lot more.



Thoughts?

 

[edplayer]

If you are set on 8GB, you might want to wait for Sandy Bridge. Assuming you can find a Q9550 for $170 and 8GB for $180, you are at $350. If you sell your old ram that should knock off $60, lets say $50 after paypal fees/lowballing. You are at $300.

Take a look at Anandtech's Sandy Bridge preview (came out today). If you spend $200 on a i5 2500, $100 on a motherboard and $180 on 8GB of ram, you are at $480. Is it worth the almost extra $200? Check out the preview.


I recently did something like you are planning (but over a longer period of time). I started with a E7200/MSI motherboard Fry's combo. Bought a Gigabyte motherboard later. Then bought a Q9550 from Microcenter. Gigabyte had to be RMA'd so I bought a used Gigabyte UD3P to mess around with. Love that motherboard. I had 4GB of Corsair ram from the beginning but I saw a good deal on used G.Skill Pi Black on hardforum so I bought it. $65, just slightly more than I can get selling my Corsair for. Then I saw another set for the same price. 8GB now.

Overall, I'm very happy with my setup. I'm glad I skipped over S1156 and S1366 after seeing the SB preview. I'm going to try to hold out a few more years with this. Should be OK with a good SSD (I'm waiting for Intel's new models this year).

 

[Rifter]

I agree, for your usage i would wait for SB.

 

[flexcore]

If you have a micrcenter near you, I suggest looking there. Great prices. Can get a decent mboerd for free with a Phenom II x6 1055t or the i7 930 for $200.

 

[dbcooper1]

Those P35 boards weren't great for quads; for what you're doing, you'd likely be better off with a higher clocked duo. For Photoshop, I get better performance from a slightly higher clocked duo than my quad that's only slightly slower. There are some exceptions but most of Photoshop doesn't make use of more than two cores. I'd get something with a fast clock speed and an SSD for your boot and app drive; that made the most noticeable difference for me for the money.

 

[Bman123]

quad for sure, the best you can find for $200, if you can track down a Q9550 for $200 used that will hold you over for a while.

You can get a Q9550 at micro center for $179 new or look online and buy a used cpu. I would look for a q6600 for $100 or a Q9400 for $100

 

[Fenix793]

Actually if I remember correctly the q9550 is down to $150 at MC.

 

[bryanW1995]

q9505 is $239 at newegg. get that if you don't want to oc. if you are willing to oc get q9300.

If you do oc, be careful of putting too much fsb on that mobo.

 

[bryanW1995]

Thanks for all the speCIFICS AND TIPS!
Considering the Q9550 and the others based on price.

Question, will my power supply power a quad-core?380W?
Antec earthwatts EA380 380W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Or do I need something with more wattage?

Considering the Q8400 and the Q9550

I have a q6600 oveclocked to 3.4 on one of my ip35e rigs using an ea 430, plus I've run dc 24/7 on it for a couple years with no problems at all. Well, technically mom has, but what she doesn't know can't hurt her! If you're going to stick to stock or even close to it then you will be in a similar usage pattern to mine so no worries. Even if you OC it you should be fine however since q6600 was a bit more power hungry than the cpus you're looking at.

I would be weary of upgrading based on that ABIT board, they have gone out of business so no support, and my IP35 Pro XE recently died after 2 year of use.

If you want core per dollar value, I can recommend going to an AM3 board and picking up a x4 AMD Phenom II cpu. There are some stellar budget boards available that really allow you to pack on performance.

It would just suck to get all this new kit for the 775 and then have your board crap out on you.

I recommend a Phenom II 955 ($150?), 880gx mobo ($75-100?), and the ram ($200?).... this should only cost around <$500.

What do you guys think?

ignore this guy. I have an ip35 pro and two ip 35e's. all are perfect still. my ip 35 pro in fact is the best mobo I've ever owned. when my corsair hx 620 died 18 mos ago (yes corsair psu's can fail when loaded 24/7) the onboard diagnostic helped me to quickly isolate the problem. both my ip 35 e's run DC 24/7 and both are overclocked as well.

the ip 35 pro xe is different from all of my boards, however. it was a very late intro, maybe 12-18 mos after ip 35 pro came out. in fact, it came out right before abit went out of business. maybe it was rushed?

 

[bryanW1995]

Those P35 boards weren't great for quads; for what you're doing, you'd likely be better off with a higher clocked duo. For Photoshop, I get better performance from a slightly higher clocked duo than my quad that's only slightly slower. There are some exceptions but most of Photoshop doesn't make use of more than two cores. I'd get something with a fast clock speed and an SSD for your boot and app drive; that made the most noticeable difference for me for the money.

that's funny, all 3 of my p35 mobos have had quads for years, they're all overclocked, all 3 run dc 24/7, and I can't get any of them to die (so I can replace them)!! In fact, my ip 35 pro went from e6750 to q6600 to x3350 and just won't die. I have it upstairs in a room that avgs btwn 80-85f, oc'd to 3.5 at 100% load 24/7. I mean, it's actually pissing me off. I gave it to my daughter finally last fall and upgraded to nehalem.

What you probably are thinking of is that getting over 450 fsb was/is difficult on skt 775 quads. I agree with that, but since he's not oc'ing that's immaterial.

all of this anecdotal evidence is useless anyway.

@OP, why do you need more than 4gb of ram. have you ever actually run out? You might want to just grab the q8400 or something cheap like that, then upgrade in 12-18 mos when SB and BD come out.

 

[beginner99]

My first question is:

Why do you want to upgrade? What's not ok with the current PC?

If you want a PC to really perfrom as expect, meaning does moments when cpu usage is like almost 0 still pc feels liek it crashed, get and ssd. I was always impatient but since I have an ssd, it got worse on non-ssd pc's. they drive me crazy.

 

[jackace]

You can get a Q9550 at micro center for $179 new

Is that an in store only price?

 

[classy]

Quad or bust. I wouldn't suggest anyone buy a dual core today, unless its a hyper threaded one that can process 4 threads. Even then I would suggest a quad. Multiple core processors are too cheap today to consider buying a dual core.