Q9400 upgrade to i7?

[OILFIELDTRASH]

:sun:Im currently running my Q9400 at 3.84ghz and was wondering how much gpu power would it take for my cpu to become bottleneck? Also I just don't see need for i7 right now. I don't do video converting so where would such a fast cpu help? Seems like best upgrade for me right now would be SSD. Give me some good reasons to upgrade my cpu. Im just not seeing it right now other than bragging rights. Maybe I'm wrong. Let me know. Thanks

 

[fffblackmage]

I think the SSD would be a better upgrade. A Q9400 at 3.84 GHz seems really fast to me.

 

[Gillbot]

Keep your Q9400. I was in the same boat with my X3330 and from the comments I've gathered from those who went to i7, they advised me to stay where i'm at.

 

[LoneNinja]

Unless you've got cash to blow, I'd keep the Q9400.

 

[nyker96]

i think i7 might give a 15-20% more performance, but hardly worth that much cash and effort. save it and get a better gcard if you game.

 

[Marty502]

Yeah, but you have to give your Q9400 to me.

Back to reality, you won't gain a thing unless you've got 2 GTX 280 in SLI or some other space ship.

You've got a top notch CPU. Keep it.

 

[error8]

Keep your current cpu. As long as you don't run gtx 285 in triple SLI or whatever multi gpu exotic setup, there is no need for the i7. And q9400 at 3.8 ghz is wicked fast anyway.

 

[Nathelion]

Agreed, no need.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like I'll be keeping my q9400 at least another 6-8 months. I'll upgrade when prices come down. Next on the list is a X25-M SSD but I'm not spending $320 for any 80gb drive regardless of how fast it is.

 

[daw123]

Have you considered the 60GB OCZ Vertex?

It's not quite as fast as the Intel, but costs a lot less ($200 from www.tigerdirect.com).

I've just placed an order for one.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I just picked up a vertex 30gb on newegg shocker deal for $120 with $20 rebate. Should be enough for OS and crysis. Had to grab one this morning before I left for work. I'm sure they will be gone soon

 

[Golgatha]

Unless you're doing 3-way SLI or Crossfire, there is no need to upgrade for gaming. I do a lot of video editing, encoding, and transcoding (and am somewhat impatient), and run some VMware boxes along with all that on occasion. I notice zero difference in games going from my Q9550 to the Core i7 920 though.

 

[BladeVenom]

Give me some good reasons to upgrade my cpu.

You want to help Intel have a really good quarter. Otherwise wait for a 6 core CPU.

 

[GFORCE100]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom

Give me some good reasons to upgrade my cpu.

You want to help Intel have a really good quarter. Otherwise wait for a 6 core CPU.

The first consumer 6-core CPU from Intel will be an Extreme version once 32nm production kicks off by Q4 of this year. Given this news, it's going to be pretty darn expensive and if I look into my crystal ball it won't be until till around Q3/Q4 2010 before 6-core variants (non Extreme naturally) become affordable for the mass public.