Build Advice Dual or Quad?

The Q9550 uses the 45nm Yorkfield Core, which is newer and more heat efficent.

If you aren't into OC'ing go for the Q9550 as it is faster.

 

Thanks Atomic. Already new that part. Is it really worth spending the xtra $110 to get the Q9550 or the Q6600.

Also the Q6600 has go stepping.

I no the Q6600 can be overclocked to about 3.4 but it will run a lot hotter. And im not really into overclocking. Also limited to cpu cooler room.

Just trying to work out if im better off with the Q9550 as it runs cooler because i will be using it in a small case. SG03

Thanks

 

Don't confuse Q6600 with Q9650, the Q6600 is 65nm 2.4GHz while the Q9650 is 45nm 3.0GHz

And the stepping is G0, G-zero.

 

Thanks mm vr.

INTEL CORE 2 QUAD Q9550 2.83GHZ 12MB 1333MHZ 45NM QUAD CORE, Is the one i was looking at.

This is a list and costs of the CPUs; NZ prices.
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, 2.4GHz, LGA775, quad core - $365.63
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz 45nm 1.33GHz FSB 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad Core Processor - $624.49
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz 12Mb 45nm - $950.63

 

whichever you choose out of q6600 and q9550 really depends on how much you are prepared to spend.

q6600 can get 80 to 85% performance of q9550, and more than 90% of q9550 when both are overclocked to highest possible on air. so it really comes down to are you willing to spend 2x the price for that extra 15%?

 

The thing thats limiting me to overclock is the cooler. I have to have a cooler 82mm or lower. The Q6600 is cheap but overclocking it is going to up the temps more then the Q9550. Is that right? Wouldnt i be better off getter the Q9550 and run it just about at stock overclock it a little.?

 

Again, it's a Q6600.

And you'll be pleased with the performance of either, IMO just go with a Q6600 as it's cheaper.

They both have a TDP of 95W but the Q9550 is clocked higher so it's propably a bit more efficient.

But would that be worth nearly double the price? That's up to you, but IMO it's not.

 

Gee, get the Q6600 if those are the prices, overclocking it or not.

 

yeh thats New Zealand $$. Bloody $ sucks

Thanks mm vr. The bloody numbers so much numbers.

 

The Q9550 is also a Yorkfield core which performs better than the Kentsfield (Q6600) core. There are Yorkfield quads other than the Q9550 to choose from. Even the lowly Q8300 will perform as well as a Q6600.

Another thing to consider is that AMD release Phenom II in a couple of days. Depending on how aggressive AMD are with their pricing this may be very good value.

Even if you are committed to using a socket 775 processor it may pay to hold off for a bit to see if Intel cut their prices.

 

q6600 at 3Ghz can easily match or beat stock q9550. and getting a q6600 to 3Ghz on stock coolers is child play.

but waiting for the AMD Phenom2 is actually a very good idea. since Core2's, AMD offers cheaper CPU that performs better than stock Intel competitors.

 

Im in the dual camp. By the time there is a good amount of games that Really use 4 cores, not just kinda use, Ill likely be upgrading to a newer quad at that time. I love my E8500 and it kicks the dog smack out of my buddies q6600's and Q8200's for around the same price. Games benefit, for now, from pure MHZ!!!