researching my first gaming rig

[myosin]

So researching for my first ever build.

My question to you guys is: Should I get the

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6850 (2x 3.0GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1333FSB)
OR
the Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 (4x 2.4GHz/8MB L2 Cache/1066FSB)

I know quad is going to be the future, but WHEN in a year or two? If I got the Core 2 CPU then down the line could I replace it with a Quad on the same motherboard?

Is the Core 2 Duo is going to be easier and more stable to overclock? When I say overclock, I just want to overclock to about 50% of the overclocking potential so it will be stable. And because I am a newb.


(some more info: I am going to budget 2000-2500 for just the computer build. I want to play new Medal of Honor, COD4 and Crysis in all their glory. Will most likely have 2 8800GTX video cards)

 

[Nickel020]

I think a Quad is the way to go. Overclocking won't be harder on one than it will be on the other, and the MHz difference will close a little when overclocking (E6850 will max out between 3,7-4,1GHz and the Q6600 between 3,6and 4,0 probably).
Also take a look at this comparison:
http://xbitlabs.com/articles/c...y/core2quad-q6600.html
If you overclock, the Quad is clearly the way to go, 3,2GHz should even be attainable at stock voltage.

The Quad will benefit more though from an expensive mainboard than the Duo. If you want two 8800 GTXs your only motherboard choice is a Nvidia 680i SLI motherboard. But that benefit will only show on the maximum overclock, and since you want SLI, you need a good motherboard anyway.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Get E4x00 and oveclock it to 3.0-3.2GHz. Plenty of speed for the next 6 to 9 months. By that time, you can engage quad 45nm Peryn for less $ and higher clock speed. Peryn will also run cooler.

 

[spades72]

my vote would be for the Q6600 and overclock it to 3.2Ghz which can be done easily with the new G0 stepping. I myself have a Q6600 (B3) at 3.0ghz and I absolutely love it, and Crysis should benefit more from a quad core than a dual core from what I've heard. If you really want you could do what SerpentRoyal suggested and wait out for Penryn but if you need to have it now I'd go for the Q6600.

What resolutions are you going to run your games at? The two 8800 GTXs might be overkill, I have a single 8800 GTS 640mb and all the latest games (Bioshock, world in conflict demo, Oblivion (for some parts)) run silky smooth on max settings at 1280x1024. You could also opt to get a single 8800 GTX from evga and use the step up program to get a 9800GTX when it comes out.

 

[coloumb]

Q6600 simply because it will give you more bang for your buck in the long run [and you want to run the latest games in eye candy mode].

 

[jeffw2767602]

at these prices its really hard to justify anything other than a q6600 for overall performance and value

 

[StriperMike]

I was in the same boat and went with the Q6600.

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: jeffw2767602
at these prices its really hard to justify anything other than a q6600 for overall performance and value

I agree. Especially when you can get a couple of sub $100 boards that can max out the oc potential.

PS: The only thing that really changes things is if a person does not overclock or they have a bare bones budget. Then there are a few really good choices out there, from both camps actually.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: jeffw2767602
at these prices its really hard to justify anything other than a q6600 for overall performance and value

My recomendation:

Q6600 G0 stepping.
Thermalright Ultra120 Extreme prelapped @ SVC.com if you dont know how to lap a hsf.
Gigabyte P35-DQ6. If you wait a bit, you might be able to pick up a X38 tho.
Crucial Ballastix or Tracers PC8500
eVGA 8800GTX. <--- hands down THE BEST CSR i have had vs ANY company.
Raptors 150 x 2 in raid. <--- or any hard drive of your choice.
Antec Quattro 850W or Silverstone Zeus 750 or PCnC Silencer 750W Quad.
any (hopefully large) case you like.



I dont think the problems the Nivida 680i brings is worth SLI. Trust me, i went though 3 of them, and now the last RMA i have is sitting in a box as emergency backup. I also dont think you'll need the power of SLI if your not running a dell 30 inch LCD. The G80 is pretty beefy. G90's coming out next year tho.

Im probably going to get flamed for the massive psu recomendation, but thats near spec to what im running on my NAS config below. She could do 3.75ghz on WCG pushing around 20-21k points per day for 1 month straight stable. Also my best board, and i went though a lot of boards. That kind of stability should at least give you some thinking.

Also, DDR3 is too overpriced and you wont notice the difference between DDR2 and DDR3. Those crucials can overclock VERY VERY nicely. Micron D9's

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: myosin
So researching for my first ever build.

My question to you guys is: Should I get the

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6850 (2x 3.0GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1333FSB)
OR
the Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 (4x 2.4GHz/8MB L2 Cache/1066FSB)

I know quad is going to be the future, but WHEN in a year or two? If I got the Core 2 CPU then down the line could I replace it with a Quad on the same motherboard?

Is the Core 2 Duo is going to be easier and more stable to overclock? When I say overclock, I just want to overclock to about 50% of the overclocking potential so it will be stable. And because I am a newb.


(some more info: I am going to budget 2000-2500 for just the computer build. I want to play new Medal of Honor, COD4 and Crysis in all their glory. Will most likely have 2 8800GTX video cards)

2 gtxs is really overkill. You would see better results in your pc by going with some scsi disks or investing in water.

 

[gwai lo]

Originally posted by: classy
2 gtxs is really overkill. You would see better results in your pc by going with some scsi disks or investing in water.

That depends on the size of his monitor.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: gwai lo

Originally posted by: classy
2 gtxs is really overkill. You would see better results in your pc by going with some scsi disks or investing in water.

That depends on the size of his monitor.

unless he's running a dell 30inch, or any 30inch with the resolution = to dell's he wont see a difference.

Now if he has a dell 30 inch, thats a completely different story.

 

[gwai lo]

Hence the, "that depends on the size of his monitor" We never know what they're trying to run, we can only assume...which isn't always the best route to take.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: gwai lo
Hence the, "that depends on the size of his monitor" We never know what they're trying to run, we can only assume...which isn't always the best route to take.

agree'd hence why my recomendation for this entire game rig doesnt include sli or the crappy 680i chipset.

 

[Arkaign]

4 > 2

 

[The-Noid]

Get a E6420 or E4400. Wait for the 45nm quads, by then support will be out in games.