Is the Q9300 worth upgrading to?

[FlasHBurN]

So I currently have a AMD Opteron 165 (dual core) that I can clock stably to 2.4ghz. Along with this I would need to replace my Asus A8N-SLI motherboard and 4GB of RAM. This machine is mostly used for playing newer games along with WoW (which isn't too CPU/GPU hungry), along with the typical internet activities like downloading torrents, mail, etc. I also do a lot of multitasking, so whenever I am playing a game, I still have a lot of different applications running at the same time.

I currently have an X1900XTX which I just ordered an 8800GTS to replace it. Would it actually be worthwhile for me to upgrade to a Q9300, or should I just wait for now?

 

[bryanW1995]

your dual core amd cpu at 2.4 will definitely hold your 8800gts back, but what resolution do you game at/which games do you play? "newer" tells us nothing.

 

[FlasHBurN]

Well, I'd like to finally play Crysis. I normally game at 1600x1200, but since I have a CRT, I don't mind if I have to play at 1280x960. Some other ones I play on and off are World In Conflict, C&C 3, all of the Half-Life 2 games. Age of Conan is one I will probably try in a few months as well. I've also been wanting to try Sins of the Solar Empire, UT3, STALKER. I mostly like RTS and FPS games on the PC, along with some MMO's.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I haven't played any games on it. I recently bit the bullet and upgraded my gaming platform. I did buy the Q9300 and I like it. Without opening up my memory timings, I am able to clock it from 2.5 to 2.7 (360fsb) DDR3 6.6.6.18 - 1333 to 1440

250$ for cpu
120$ Asus P5KC with DDR3 option but no 8phase power management (Asus P5K3 Deluxe has 8phase, and its stable as Fu*k) my AMD on this A8R32 is horrible. CPU voltage can jump from 1.33 to 1.41 The P5K3 never jumps more than .02 - yes, .02v The very first boot with the new system on XP Pro SP(fresh install) ...the blue progress bar didn't even make one pass and I was into OS. I have to say it was on of the most positively shocking things I've seen in a while.
Memory, i suggest if you go with a DDR3 board, get the lowest timings you can find to make up for high fsb clockings for 3Ghz, which would be a fsb of 400
DDR3 1066 low timings of 6.6.6.15 = 169$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231162
The cheapest DDR3 at the New, goes for 89$
DDR2 89$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231145
DDR2 lowest timings 169 after 40 mir
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146114

 

[FlasHBurN]

Seriously doubt I would be upgrading to DDR3 memory, as I need 4GB and I can't spend that kind of money only on RAM.

 

[boomhower]

I would go with a Q6600 over a Q9300. The multiplier kills it for me.

 

[FlasHBurN]

Originally posted by: boomhower
I would go with a Q6600 over a Q9300. The multiplier kills it for me.

I was thinking the Q9300 simply because it runs so much cooler and uses less wattage.

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: FlasHBurN

Originally posted by: boomhower
I would go with a Q6600 over a Q9300. The multiplier kills it for me.

I was thinking the Q9300 simply because it runs so much cooler and uses less wattage.

+1.

The Q6600 will clock a little bit higher if your sole goal is max oc, but the Q9300 is about 5% better clock/clock and, as mentioned, runs much cooler and draws less power. Plus it has sse4.1, which could end up providing some benefits as time goes on.

For an idea of how much cooler these things run, consider that I was able to easily dial in 3.0 ghz on my Q9450 with the pathetic, itty bitty stock cooler. I even ran seti 24/7 on it for a week until I got a new screw for my old zalman 9700.

 

[Foxery]

I'll always stand by my Q9300 as a perfectly good way to make the jump to 4 cores. Keep in mind that if you decide to spend the few extra bucks over a Q6600 and plan to overclock, this chip still cooks like an oven when you push up the voltage, and the stock cooler is junk. Add $30-40 to the price to invest in a HeatPipe style cooler to be safe.

 

[OLpal]

You make a really good point about people needing better cooling if they're going to OC !!

What i'd like to see is folks tell what cooler they're using on which Motherboard & how it's performing.. Citing any clearance or mounting concerns !! This is a overlooked area when it comes to us all sharing informaton !!

On my Gigabyte P-35 DS3R with intels E8400, i'm using the Artic COOLing Pro 7
it has no clearance problem, intel style push pins are a pain though !! Runs my system very cool... like 37* C

Maybe we could all post this info on pertinet sites !!
Ol'Pal

Originally posted by: Foxery
I'll always stand by my Q9300 as a perfectly good way to make the jump to 4 cores. Keep in mind that if you decide to spend the few extra bucks over a Q6600 and plan to overclock, this chip still cooks like an oven when you push up the voltage, and the stock cooler is junk. Add $30-40 to the price to invest in a HeatPipe style cooler to be safe.

 

[FlasHBurN]

Okay, so back to my original question, . Do you think I will see a noticable difference between my current CPU and a Q9300 to warrant spending the $400 or so upgrading?

 

[Foxery]

There will be a noticeable difference. Depending on your financial situation, also ask: do you currently feel limited?

Come to think of it, wait to answer that question until you've experienced the new video card in your current rig for a while. That will give you a very nice boost already.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Ask me. I do. refer to sig

 

[imported_ST]

Originally posted by: Foxery
I'll always stand by my Q9300 as a perfectly good way to make the jump to 4 cores. Keep in mind that if you decide to spend the few extra bucks over a Q6600 and plan to overclock, this chip still cooks like an oven when you push up the voltage, and the stock cooler is junk. Add $30-40 to the price to invest in a HeatPipe style cooler to be safe.

While the Q9300 does get quite toasty, it doesn't get as hot as say the Q9450 (probably because of the cache disparity). My Q9300 runs at a very cool 41C idle / 54C load and this is with a fanless Scythe Ninja setup.

To the OP - I came from a Opty 165 setup (Overclocked to 3.0GHz actually), and the difference in my apps (video, encoding, etc.) is very significant. Hope that helps with your decision...

 

[FlasHBurN]

Originally posted by: Foxery
There will be a noticeable difference. Depending on your financial situation, also ask: do you currently feel limited?

Come to think of it, wait to answer that question until you've experienced the new video card in your current rig for a while. That will give you a very nice boost already.

Yeah, I'm gonna give Crysis and some other games a shot once I get my 8800 and I'll see if I feel I need better performance in them.

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: FlasHBurN
So I currently have a AMD Opteron 165 (dual core) that I can clock stably to 2.4ghz. Along with this I would need to replace my Asus A8N-SLI motherboard and 4GB of RAM. This machine is mostly used for playing newer games along with WoW (which isn't too CPU/GPU hungry), along with the typical internet activities like downloading torrents, mail, etc. I also do a lot of multitasking, so whenever I am playing a game, I still have a lot of different applications running at the same time.

I currently have an X1900XTX which I just ordered an 8800GTS to replace it. Would it actually be worthwhile for me to upgrade to a Q9300, or should I just wait for now?

At least wait to decide until after you get the 8800GTS up & running ... upgrading from an X1900XTX to 8800GTX on my old Opty 170 @ 2.6 yielded nearly double the gaming performance for me.