Best CPU for my setup

[codywalker]

here's the whole system:
- Intel Core2Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz, 1066FSB, LGA775, 2MB Cache Retail 0 (running at 2.4GHz)
- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
- Asus P5B-E P965 Core 2 Extreme/Core 2 Duo/Pentium Extreme
- Sapphire Radeon X1950 XT 256MB PCI-Express Video Card
- Coolermaster CAC-T05-UW Centurion 5 Mid Tower Case (Silver)
- SeagateBarracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB SATA 7200RPM 16MB Buffer
- Plextor PX-755SA-BP/BL 16X Internal Dual Layer DVD±R/RW CD-R/RW
- SilverStone Zeus ST56ZF 560Watt Active PFC PSU



I want to upgrade my processor, probably to a quad-core. What is the best bang for the buck? I would really like to spend less than $200 dollars. But really just want to know what the best bang for the buck is. I will definitely be OC'ing. Thanks.

Q6600
Q9550
other?

- Cody

 

[deathman20]

Hmmm Q6600 will top out around 3.6Ghz or what your ram will give it if you max it out.
Q9550 though will go much further but the ram might limit you to just 3.4Ghz, its newer and should show improvements over the Q6600. If your ram can go faster, looser timings and more voltage the Q9550 might be the way to run then.

Finding a Q6600 might be hard these days and they might be upping the price because of limited quantities. Q9550 is pricier unless you manage to get a nice deal on it.

With OCing you might want to consider getting an aftermarket heatsink if you don't have one since these quads do put out more heat then the duals.

 

[Brutal-Force]

Lol, deathman. You used the word "though" five times.

deathman is right. The Q6600, would probably still be your best option if you can find one for a reasonable price. If you don't mind used there are people that have bought theirs less than a year ago that are dumping them anywhere from $100-130. If you want new, you'll be looking at $200+. The Q9550 on the other hand, I have seen sell used for $180-210. New it would cost you about $260+ So the Q9550 is out of your budget.

At this point, you might be better off slowly putting aside money OR buying individual components when they pop up on sale for a new i5/i7 system.

The i7s in both S1156 and S1366 can both be picked up at Microcenter for $200. A decent motherboard will run you about $100 for a S1156 and about $150 for a S1366. And 4GB of RAM will run you about $80 for a dual channel set, and $120 for a Triple channel set. Putting you in an i7 system for about $380-470. Which I know is out of your budget, but not if you buy a component at a time, as you have cash. It might take you 3 or 4 months to put it together, but when your done you can sell your stuff and get about $200 out of it used. Which would actually put you back in your budget range for a much better upgrade.

 

[deathman20]

Lol, deathman. You used the word "though" five times.

Damn i hate using IE at not correcting me, and speed typing right before my lunch ended for a meeting. Wish FF would work here.

 

[codywalker]

any other alternatives to the 6600 and 9550?

- Cody

 

[deathman20]

any other alternatives to the 6600 and 9550?

- Cody

For going quad with your current setup and price range thats probably the best bet truly. Otherwise as Brutal-Force mentioned going to the i5/i7 platform would be the next step.

 

[Joeteck]

Click on CPU support and see which one you want, then look at newegg.com

 

[ketrab]

here's the whole system:
- Intel Core2Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz, 1066FSB, LGA775, 2MB Cache Retail 0 (running at 2.4GHz)
- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
- Asus P5B-E P965 Core 2 Extreme/Core 2 Duo/Pentium Extreme
- Sapphire Radeon X1950 XT 256MB PCI-Express Video Card
- Coolermaster CAC-T05-UW Centurion 5 Mid Tower Case (Silver)
- SeagateBarracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB SATA 7200RPM 16MB Buffer
- Plextor PX-755SA-BP/BL 16X Internal Dual Layer DVD±R/RW CD-R/RW
- SilverStone Zeus ST56ZF 560Watt Active PFC PSU



I want to upgrade my processor, probably to a quad-core. What is the best bang for the buck? I would really like to spend less than $200 dollars. But really just want to know what the best bang for the buck is. I will definitely be OC'ing. Thanks.

Q6600
Q9550
other?

- Cody

Cody,

If you live close to Microcenter you could get q9550 @ 179 so thats no brainer... if not than still buy q9550 avesome for OC

 

[Brutal-Force]

Are you asking the same question or are you suggesting a Athlon 64X2 as a replacement?