Which processor to get?

[Jaepheth]

I'm about to upgrade my PC, and I was wondering if I should go with an E4300 for now and upgrade to a quad core later this year/early next year, or just get an E6600 and go quad core further down the line?

It'll mostly be used for gaming, and I do mild OCing, but haven't OC'ed an Intel processor since my 486.

Any thoughts?

The rest of the upgrade will be:
ASUS P5N32-E SLI+
2Gigs of GSkill DDR2-800
PNY 8800GTS 320MB

my current monitor is 1280x1024

PS. PNY is still a good brand of video card, yes?

 

[VinDSL]

Um...

You didn't ask, but I'd get a E6420 and OC! 😉

*edit*

Here you go (in stock) -- 189 bones w/free USB thumbdrive 😀

 

[Skott]

As I see it you have two choices. Go with a E4300, OC it to 3.0Ghz and then upgrade later to a quadcore later on. This is the cheapest method. Or... Get a E6420 as Vin suggested instead of the E6600. OC it to whatever you can get out of it which should be pretty close to what a E6600 can OC to from what I have heard. And then later upgrade to a quadcore. This is the next cheapest method. Its really a personal choice. Both are good options depending on how much you want to save in the beginning.

Edit: Oh, yeah... I consider the PNY cards okay-average. Not bad but not the best. eVGA rules!

 

[sthaznpride17]

Buy a E4300 afterthe price drop, get the eVGA 8800GTS instead of the PNY. Get quad core CPU when the price is right. Win win win 😀

 

[VinDSL]

Heh!

You guys do realize the E4300 is NOT a Conroe, right? 🙂

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: VinDSL
Heh!

You guys do realize the E4300 is NOT a Conroe, right? 🙂

Technicaly it's an Allendale, but besides being manufactured with 2mb of cache instead of 4mb, and set to 800mhz FSB..it's the same thing..

 

[Phantomaniac]

I agree with Skott on this one. Go with the E4300 if you are on a budget, it should be able to hit 3Ghz. Otherwise go with the E6420. Xbitlabs got their test sample up to 3.72Ghz on air. 🙂

 

[Jaepheth]

Think I'll go w/ the 4300 for now. Thanks guys

 

[xtremeskier97]

Im looking at the same comparison.

Someone said the 4300 hits 6600 speeds...what memory/mobo/heatsink would I need to do that?

Thanks guys.

 

[Skott]

Originally posted by: xtremeskier97
Im looking at the same comparison.

Someone said the 4300 hits 6600 speeds...what memory/mobo/heatsink would I need to do that?

Thanks guys.

Speed of a stock E6600? Wouldnt need much. Thats the equivalent of a 266fsb. The E4300 will hit 3.0GHz with an equivalent of 333fsb. Something good and cheap like the DS3 mobo should allow that easily enough. Might be some cheaper mobos out now that'll do it too. As far as HSF goes I'd say you got a wide range of options. Low end Artic Freezer Pro 7 and high end is Tuniq Tower 120. RAM is entirely dependent on what mobo you go with. Decide on the mobo first and then look at which RAM works with that choice.

 

[hans007]

well if he's only going to do a mild OC the e6600 and e4300 will both effecitvely be 3ghz on the same mobo and such.

i think you'd have to invest too much money to get better cooling / ram to go much farther than that.

so in that case, definitely get the e4300. even after the cut, its about $100 less. $100 can easily pay for something that will give you more bang for your buck, or be $100 put towards the cost of a qx6600 in q3.

 

[nyker96]

I agree with the movie star VinDSL, 6600 if not OC, 6420 if going to OC. for games 6600 or 6420's bigger cache will put a bigger boost for ya than 4xxx.

 

[bruceyg]

Originally posted by: nyker96
I agree with the movie star VinDSL, 6600 if not OC, 6420 if going to OC. for games 6600 or 6420's bigger cache will put a bigger boost for ya than 4xxx.

cpu doesn't affect alot, I would get a E4300 to save the $100 for a better video card if for games.

 

[kmmatney]

I went for the E4400, since you can use super cheap motherboard and still overclock it to at least 2.66 Ghz, by just putting the FSB to 266 MHZ. I'm hoping I can get to 3.0 Ghz, which my cheapo Asrock Dual VSTA, which I bought for $27 (refurb).