What processor should I put in my new Intel rig?

[uncleezno]

I've read through the posts here, and with the help of you guys, I picked out the parts for my new desktop. The only item I held off on purchasing was the processor, because of the new Penryns coming out on the 20th.

Everyone seems to agree that dual-cores are better for gaming, and that quad cores are more useful for encoding, compiling, etc. I'm going to be gaming, but I don't plan on upgrading my computer for probably two years, if not longer, after I've got it put together.

Should I wait a few days and get an 8400, or should I spend a bit more $$ and get a Q6600, which, although it is a quad core, might maintain its usefulness longer?

Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[The-Noid]

Q6600.

 

[greytautumn]

Wait a month or two and go for a Q9450.

I'm in the same boat. Five year cycle. I have all of my parts excpet for the HDD, Video and CPU and am waiting for the 9450. Waited this long, and my current rig runs fine.

 

[uncleezno]

Greytautumn - unfortunately, my current rig is a five year old laptop on its last legs. I suppose I can wait two more months....it's hard, y'know, because I've been waiting since June to buy my parts. I'll go look up the stats on the Q9450.

 

[Riverhound777]

I'll be going with the E8400. Overclocked to 3.6-4.0ghz I really don't think the CPU will be the bottleneck. I'm also going with an EVGA 8800gt in order to have the step-up option if a new faster card comes out in the same price-range soon after.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Yoxxy
Q6600.

+1

And +(infinity) if its a G0 quad.

 

[uncleezno]

aigomorla - you always pop in to threads with good advice. can i ask why you recommend the Q6600?

 

[greytautumn]

IF you can't wait- your need is that dire, the Definitely the Q6600. The G0's overclock well if that's your thing. Might even OC better than the 9450. I'm planning on running stock. I don't want to spend lots of time tweaking when I can be doing what I want to do.

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: uncleezno
aigomorla - you always pop in to threads with good advice. can i ask why you recommend the Q6600?

long term wise?

Because 3.2ghz 400fsbx8 will be more then enough power for anything you throw at it, unless your a Distrib. Comp. person.

Even if you dont oc, the extra 2 cores which windows see's will be useful in the future, even tho its not now.

Also the price at 240-260 for the quad is almost unbeatable for the performance.



Oh did i also fail to note, that 400x8 fsb is 100% gaurentee'd on any G0 quad? with very little voltage adjustments, and a medium tier sink, like a Artic freezezr7?

 

[uncleezno]

I guess the Q6600 it is, thanks. But where can I find it for $240? The egg has it at 275, and that's not guaranteed G0 stepping...

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: uncleezno
I guess the Q6600 it is, thanks. But where can I find it for $240? The egg has it at 275, and that's not guaranteed G0 stepping...

look around for deals.

ClubIT <--- look for gaurentee'd G0
Ewiz.com
Zipzoomfly.com
Tankguys <---- look for gaurentee G0
Directron.com

The G0's are bin'd SLACR while the B3's are bin'd SL9UP

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...ors-_-intel-_-19115018

http://www.clubit.com/product_...il.cfm?itemno=A1938460 Oem

http://www.clubit.com/product_...il.cfm?itemno=A1938452

That should be a G0, it says SLACR and its a bin meaning they get them in bulk shipments.




Now i recomend a OEM processor over retail because i tend to lap my IHS. This allows a more even and flat mount, but i usually lap it after ive done some hardcore testing on it so i know its not bad.

Also you void warrenty on any processor if you dont use the stock heat sink. So another reason why i dont like getting retail.

However if you want to use the stock heat sink and want warrenty, the G0 will overclock to a modest 333x9 @ near stock voltage with stock heat sink which should still be plenty fast for you.

 

[uncleezno]

purchased the retail version from clubIT. I'll try it at 333x9, and maybe get a real cooler a few months from now and overclock it some more. Thanks so much!

 

[The-Noid]

333x9 should be no problem with these chips at default vcore.

Remember though AUTO in bios does not mean stock . Auto will float with the bios, you want to set the vcore manually to 1.35 or the lowest it is possibly stable...