Intel C2D E6850 or Q6600

[nlkccom]

I'm building a new computer, will be used mainly for gaming (Crysis, UT3, COD4, HL...).

This is what I'm trying to put together:
Intel E6850 or Q6600
Asus P5N-E or P5N32-E
Evga 8800GT SSC 512MB (just received today)
4GB DDR2

I'm trying to decide whether to go with the E6850 (dual cores - 3ghz) or the Q6600 (quad cores - 2.4 ghz). How much benefit will I get from quad cores on gaming such as those I've mentioned above? Which one should I choose?

Same on MB, can't decide between which to get.

I've seen ppl talking about OCing Q6600 close to, or even beyond 3ghz. How easily can that be accomplished? I tend to not OC my system, because of the extra stress on other components.

Any suggestions or recommendation are welcome.

 

[gamerxx13]

If your just gaming, then a dual core is plenty fine. Dual core should be fine for all the games out now and in the future. You can easily overclock the E650 3.6-3.8 with a decent heat sink. So if it was just gaming I would totally suggust getting a dual core.

Quad is for the future, and if you run many applications at once or you are doing some video editing then you should consider a quad. But right now no real application requires all 4 cores, that i know of. I say just go for the duo core right now and wait till the prices for the quad to drop this time next year.

 

[hclarkjr]

i just did what you are thinking about, i went from a FX-60 though. i chose a E6600 with intentions of getting a quad later on. i was limited by budget though. if money is no problem i would get the quad

 

[gamerxx13]

totally, i stood in line on black friday and got a quad q6600 g0 stepping for 200. but its pretty expensive reguarly. i would suggust just getting e6750 and you can easily get that to 3.5 with any aftermarket hs. btw what is your price range?

 

[fire400]

go with 6600

the fastest dual core is much slower than the slowest stock quadcore chip from Intel.

i'd say go with the first motherboard, you can only get so much out of it unless there are specific features you want out of the P5N32-E which will still keep you occupied

link the mobo's if you want people to comment 'em 'cuz peeps don't like searchin' for mobo part numbers themselves, price your parts and look at charts first.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Personally, I couldn't recommend one or the other in preference. The Q6600 won't OC as far (on average). With the E6850, you only have two cores doing the work, but my experience with the E6600 suggests to me that it is quite adequate. I like the fact that you should be able to OC the E6850 to an easy 20% or 3.6 Ghz.

You'd have to engage in considerable intensive multi-tasking to get the quad working to full capacity, and it would probably entail doing more at once than is ever required.

But given the price-parity, it's really "your call."

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Should've added this before punching the "reply" button on the previous verbiage.

I think you're looking at an nVidia 650 or 680i chipset with those boards. On the "up" side, they're ASUS boards, and as far as I understand, the 680i P5N32-E was built by ASUS without limitation to the reference-board design from nVidia. It circumvents the problems they've had with those boards a year ago.

On the "down" side, there are "opinions" -- to be found here, also -- that it's harder to get these boards up to 400 MHz CPU_FSB in a 1:1 CPU-to-RAM over-clocking.

In my own experience, I was mostly limited by the processor (Q6600 was the latest) and by the self-imposed discipline about VCORE settings (for both Q6600 and E6600). I came "close" to 400 within those parameters, and using the stock CPU multiplier of 9 (for either processor).

The 680 boards use more power. You may be inclined to go this way if you like nVidia GFX cards and want to implement SLI. But at least take a look at boards with the P35 and X38 chipsets that are out there. You may want to stick with the nVidia chipsets, but you may be limited if you want to upgrade to Yorkfield quad-core -- which, at the moment, locks out the 680i boards. For the 650 boards, I'd be willing to bet that what holds true for 680 also holds for 680i.

Try and at least LOOK at boards that will handle the full range of LGA-775 Penryn processors, in addition to Conroe and Kentsfield.

 

[Cheex]

Short answer: Q9450

 

[lilbabimac]

Originally posted by: Cheex
Short answer: Q9450

I second that. January 20 - wait if you can wait.

 

[demiurge3141]

how can anyone ever recommend e6850? either you go e6750 or q6600

 

[j0j081]

Originally posted by: demiurge3141
how can anyone ever recommend e6850? either you go e6750 or q6600

true that. I just got an e6750 and then MAYBE will upgrade to quad core next year but I doubt I'll need to.

 

[Borealis7]

the new E8x00 series will make the E6x00 totally obselete in terms of price/performance.

the 3GHz E8400 (i think) will be priced around 180$ which is what an E6750 goes for.

if you can hold a month or so, do.

 

[nlkccom]

I think I'm leaning toward the Q6600, and planning to OC it to 3ghz range.

I'm still undecided on the MB, but leaning toward the P5N32. Seems like it OCs better than the P5N according to reviews.

Any suggestion for RAM? I want 4gb total (2x2GB). Noticed these options at Newegg:

G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail for $115 - $10 coupon = $105
(Would this work on the P5N32? Since the board calls for DDR2-800, and this is DDR2-1000?)

G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail for $105

A-DATA 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail for $85

Any other suggestions?

 

[Angerisagift]

I would go for the second G.Skill kit, just because it's a bit cheaper, though if you did go the first all that will happen is your ram will run at PC6400 speeds and scale down to meet your board.

essentially underclocking itself due to system bus limitations, PC6400 is still pretty good though.

 

[jjmIII]

Originally posted by: Angerisagift
I would go for the second G.Skill kit, just because it's a bit cheaper, though if you did go the first all that will happen is your ram will run at PC6400 speeds and scale down to meet your board.

essentially underclocking itself due to system bus limitations, PC6400 is still pretty good though.

Huh? He has a coupon......both are $105 shipped.
Get the DDR2-1000.

I run my q6600 at 333bus (3ghz) and use a multipler to run my memory at ~1000. Problably not a huge performance gain, BUT they are the same price. Why not?

I'll add, Crucial is my favorite.

 

[Tarindel]

The Q9450 isn't coming until March according to http://www.behardware.com/news...delayed-confirmed.html

(note: article uses Euro dates)

Suppose it's worth noting that this hasn't been confirmed by Intel.