Q6600 value against Q9550 andor i7 920

[UzairH]

I am building a new system and am gonna get a quad-core processor. Since I've been planning on this for the longest time, I had always planned on the Q6600 and overclocking it a bit. However now there are faster processors available such as the Q9550 and the i7-920. Where I am the Q9550 or the i7-920 are 25% more expensive than the Q6600. So my question is how overclockable is the Q6600? I may or not get an aftermarket HSF for it, and I'll play it safe so I won't raise the voltages. Under these conditions how high are the current Q6600s clocking? Would at least 3 GHz be attainable? Of course, the same question has to be asked for the other two processors - how high do they overclock without tinkering with voltages and the stock cooler?

Finally, would the choice of motherboard really make much of a performance difference? Is it really necessary to get a 'premium' $150+ mobo to get the best out of the processor and overclocking, or will a mainstream one do? Which brands are solid, reliable performers? Is there any 'cheapo' ($80 to $110) mobo that's particularly good for the Q6600 or Q9550?

I have been out of the building and hardware scene for quite a while now, but I am confident that with the gurus on this forum I'll have my answers soon

 

[elconejito]

On the motherboard question, I have to highly recommend the Gigabyte UD3 series, especially for quads. I have the GA-EP45-UD3R which I got for i think about $120, it's been on sale for cheaper. The UD3P adds crossfire and a few other features and adds maybe 20 bucks more.

For the processors, the newer ones are definitely faster. But to me it's always a question of budget, they do cost more. Depending on what you'll be doing with the processor, you may find it "worth it" to go for a more expensive cpu. Otherwise, the Q6600 is a good buy. In that price range you might also find a Q9400 which will run at a similar Ghz and be a little cooler.

 

[Tweakin]

Since you are doing a new system, I wouldn't stay with the older Q6600. While this is still a viable chip, for a little more you enter a much cooler arena with any of the 45nm quads.

As for overclocking, most 6600's do 3-3.3Ghz without advanced cooling and such, whereas a 9550 or 9650 will run 3.6-4.0Ghz on most systems, and I would place them on the win-win list right now.

The i7 is a heaterbox. While it is the fastest chip out, it also requires much more cooling to keep the beast in check. I have one of each, and my 9650 runs much cooler and is just rock stable on the UD3R board...love it. On the other hand, my i7 is noticably quicker by a margin, but I can crack 70c easy on it.

If you are gonna play games and want a tested and smooth running system, I'd say a 9550 or 9650 on a Gigabyte UD3R with a single Video Card.

If you want bleading edge, go with the i7 on any x58 board that does what you want...it's a hard call.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

I have no doubt that you should not even consider the Q6600. Go with a 45nm quad core.

 

[roid450]

If it comes down to price, what the hell, go with a quad, cheaper and still very overclockable :thumbsup: tho I got unlucky and got a high VID Q6600 :roll:

 

[1ManArmY]

Originally posted by: Tweakin
Since you are doing a new system, I wouldn't stay with the older Q6600. While this is still a viable chip, for a little more you enter a much cooler arena with any of the 45nm quads.

As for overclocking, most 6600's do 3-3.3Ghz without advanced cooling and such, whereas a 9550 or 9650 will run 3.6-4.0Ghz on most systems, and I would place them on the win-win list right now.

The i7 is a heaterbox. While it is the fastest chip out, it also requires much more cooling to keep the beast in check. I have one of each, and my 9650 runs much cooler and is just rock stable on the UD3R board...love it. On the other hand, my i7 is noticably quicker by a margin, but I can crack 70c easy on it.

If you are gonna play games and want a tested and smooth running system, I'd say a 9550 or 9650 on a Gigabyte UD3R with a single Video Card.

If you want bleading edge, go with the i7 on any x58 board that does what you want...it's a hard call.

great recommendations Tweakin!

I'm in the process of building a i7 system and I anticipated the heat issues so I tried to reduce that by getting a full tower Coolermaster 840 ATCS and purchasing a TRUE-120. We will see how it goes. I also added 2 additional 120 mm fans to cool the hard drives and aid in cooling the RAM and GFX card.

 

[Tweakin]

Originally posted by: 1ManArmY

Originally posted by: Tweakin
...If you want bleading edge, go with the i7 on any x58 board that does what you want...it's a hard call...

great recommendations Tweakin!

I'm in the process of building a i7 system and I anticipated the heat issues so I tried to reduce that by getting a full tower Coolermaster 840 ATCS and purchasing a TRUE-120. We will see how it goes. I also added 2 additional 120 mm fans to cool the hard drives and aid in cooling the RAM and GFX card.

I just sold two TRUltra Extreme's as my Noctura listed in my sig outperfermed it in real world. That and the mounting was superior and I hated the way the new TR kits hold the fan...makes replacing it really a pain.

I'm currently fragging 6 Seti batches, and my load temps are at 59-63 @ 3.82Ghz.

 

[Ward]

My Q9550 ($279) mounted on an Asus P5Q Pro ($129) runs very smooth at 3.6Ghz with stock voltages. (1.25Vcore) I did go with a Xigmatek S1283 ($36) for cooling. Max cpu temp after 17 hrs of Prime 95 was 51c.

 

[UzairH]

Originally posted by: Tweakin
Since you are doing a new system, I wouldn't stay with the older Q6600. While this is still a viable chip, for a little more you enter a much cooler arena with any of the 45nm quads.

As for overclocking, most 6600's do 3-3.3Ghz without advanced cooling and such, whereas a 9550 or 9650 will run 3.6-4.0Ghz on most systems, and I would place them on the win-win list right now.

The i7 is a heaterbox. While it is the fastest chip out, it also requires much more cooling to keep the beast in check. I have one of each, and my 9650 runs much cooler and is just rock stable on the UD3R board...love it. On the other hand, my i7 is noticably quicker by a margin, but I can crack 70c easy on it.

If you are gonna play games and want a tested and smooth running system, I'd say a 9550 or 9650 on a Gigabyte UD3R with a single Video Card.

If you want bleading edge, go with the i7 on any x58 board that does what you want...it's a hard call.

Thanks for the very informative reply, Tweakin You've convinced me to go with one of the 45nm chips, probably the 9550. It should be a gigantic step up from my A64 3500+

 

[spinejam]

fyi: just rec'd a q9550 E0 from Newegg (TN warehouse) earlier today.

 

[smackababy]

q9550 and EP45-UD3R is pure win.