New CPU time. Need help deciding.

[Desslok]

The board I am running can accept up to a QX6850 and I was wondering do you guys think the 1333 bus speed is worth the extra hundred or so in cost? I have a friend that is willing to sell me his for a great price.

 

[VirtualLarry]

How great is a great price? You know, it's really easy to overclock the Q6600s. Almost any Q6600 should do 9 x 333 (3Ghz).

 

[Desslok]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
How great is a great price? You know, it's really easy to overclock the Q6600s. Almost any Q6600 should do 9 x 333 (3Ghz).

It would be about $150 more.

I am going back and forth on this, I will probably just get the 6600.

 

[Denithor]

Anything Intel adds an "X" to isn't worth the eXtra cost involved, even buying second-hand. Bus speed has almost no impact on performance (2-3% max in all testing I've ever seen). And anyway, like Larry said, just set the fsb to 333 (1333 bus speed in Intel marketing talk) and you've got the exact same chip sitting there.

If you're willing to spend $150 more than a Q6600 just get a Q9400/Q9550 instead. Those consume less energy, generate less heat, make your power bill lower and might cook you breakfast in the morning.

 

[Assimilator1]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
How great is a great price? You know, it's really easy to overclock the Q6600s. Almost any Q6600 should do 9 x 333 (3Ghz).

Yep agreed don't bother with the QX, + what Denithor said, although I'm guessing from what you said that your mbrd doesn't support 45nm quads?, which rules out Q9xxx & Q8xxx.

A 2nd option if you're worried that your mbrd won't do the higher FSBs for the Q6600 to reach it's max o/c is the Q6700, it has a higher multiplier. Intel Quad specs here