Question about the market for Core2Quads

[k1114]

I am currently on an P35-D3SL w/E4500 + 6gb DDR2. I do a lot of virtualization, and I think I could use an upgrade from dual to quad core. Only problem is that I am cheap and I really don't want to spend the money switching platforms to accomplish this, especially since I don't do any real gaming or anything that needs bleeding edge hardware.

Anyway, I see that Core2Quad processors tend to hover around the $90-120 range used, and I am wondering if the market is going to trend up significantly (like DDR1 has lately) or down... I have a feeling it will be the former. Any guesses? Should I pull the trigger now or wait it out?

 

[Denithor]

They aren't making any more, so you figure it out...

 

[ZipSpeed]

You're several generations behind the latest and greatest. Personally I would pocket the money and save up for a new rig.

 

[k1114]

You're several generations behind the latest and greatest. Personally I would pocket the money and save up for a new rig.

I can't justify the cost; most of what I do is just web browsing, and when I am running multiple VM's, everything is fine except CPU load (I often run 2+ on top of the host OS). $~100 on a quad core processor is a heck of a lot better than several hundred on an upgraded platform. Just trying to figure out if now is the right time...

I'll catch up to the i5/i7 platform in a few years when they are dirt cheap.

 

[sm625]

I have a Q6600 that I'm not sure what to do with once BD launches. It is too power hungry to use in any of my other machines. I dont think the price will drop below $50, even 3 years from now, due to it being the cheapest quad you can get for 775, and given the number of socket 775 systems out there that need upgrades. Q6600 easily OCs to 3GHz, and there is nothing on the market that beats a 3GHz C2Q for cheaper than $80. The ebay prices on a Q6600 should closely match the retail prices of athlon X4 630/640, since they are at the same performance level (factoring in your typical attainable overclock).

 

[Soulkeeper]

If you are comfortable spending that $100 for a C2Q you said you can get ... then do it.
if the price goes any higher than that then it's a bad idea imo

My personal core2 thoughts:
I plan on replacing my C2D server with something low power, possibly bulldozer/llano based.
My workstation is C2Q and i'd like to replace this with something 32nm (bulldozer also if it's good) that offers similar/better performance at reduced power usage. No point in upgrading either of them or continuing to run them much longer from a performance/watt perspective for me.

 

[Kenmitch]

Under the circumstances I say go for it. A new updated rig would be better but its all about the money. If the quad will get you by another year or two I'd think it would be worth the cost.

 

[fuzzymath10]

What do you do on the VMs that would cause a lot of slowdowns? You have a fair bit of memory so that's probably not the issue. Just a bit confused because you said all you did was web browsing.

I'd say you should just stop pouring cash into an old system. It's still very good as a second machine as is. An i3 2100 plus MB will be under $200, and be pretty much as fast as an older quad core (except the Q9000s maybe). Not saying you should buy immediately, but just to emphasize how an old quad core is not necessarily a good investment if you can save for just a bit longer.

I face the same issue with my Q8200 since Q9000 CPUs are so expensive. I'm better off giving it to family, and just going out to get an SB system.

 

[dbcooper1]

If you're on the fence at $100, plan on selling your current CPU to bring the final price down to something you're comfortable with. Just make sure you get something with hardware support for VT.

 

[Inspire]

I have a Core 2 Duo E6600 and I considered doing this upgrade. However, I didn't like the idea of spending 100-115 on a used Q6600. Considering a very fast 2500K sells for 225 (or 180 if you live near MC) why on earth would I bother spending $ on an old CPU on my 5+ year old MB. If it was more in the 60-70 range might have done it.

 

[Vesku]

You might want to consider a DDR2 AMD motherboard and CPU. Just priced it out on Newegg and a low end motherboard + Athlon II quad would be in the $120-140 range depending on whether you need the CPU retail or OEM. Also, with these reasonable DDR3 prices right now, you may be able to find a good deal on used DDR2 AM2+/AM3 parts.

Sounds like it's either that or buy a C2Q, based on your spending comments I don't think you have any desire to need to buy DDR3 memory. Might want to reconsider though, 2x4GB DDR3 has been going for ~$75-100.

 

[Attic]

Q6600 is still a beast at 3ghz. Get it and enjoy it.

 

[DirkGently1]

It's funny how a year ago any C2Q @ 3.0Ghz + was 'more than enough' and 'will last for years', but with the advent of SB @ 4.0Ghz + all of a sudden it's 'C2Q' is not enough, 'your games will be bottlenecked...yadda yadda yadda.

It's just people trying to justify their spends. Drop a Q6600 @ stock into your rig and enjoy!

 

[StinkyPinky]

It's funny how a year ago any C2Q @ 3.0Ghz + was 'more than enough' and 'will last for years', but with the advent of SB @ 4.0Ghz + all of a sudden it's 'C2Q' is not enough, 'your games will be bottlenecked...yadda yadda yadda.

It's just people trying to justify their spends. Drop a Q6600 @ stock into your rig and enjoy!

I've noticed quite a difference going from a Q6600 to a 2500K. 1.2 Ghz higher clock speed and better ipc does that.

 

[betasub]

^ Yes, it is all relative to whatever else is readily available on the market. So by comparison, the limits of C2Q have been revealled by the newer quads (& SB in particular).

 

[k1114]

After factoring in selling my current processor for $40-45 (they sell in this range on ebay) I think i'm going to do it. Thanks for the opinions guys

 

[IndianScout]

I'm running a Q9550 @ 4ghz, I feel no need to upgrade, sure I could gain a tiny bit by going to the i5, but compared to my buddy's it's not worth the cost involved