So, which of these should I get?

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fortyways

banned
I brought an Asus P5K-E and an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 home from Fry's yesterday. I haven't opened them yet. The mobo was 100 bucks (USD) and the processor was 300 bucks. I'm not so keen on spending 300 dollars on a processor, so I'm thinking of returning it for a Core 2 Duo, but I don't know which is best:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...7+40000343+1050722265+1051707842&name=LGA+775

I don't plan on overclocking, I'm big on cool and quiet and energy conservation and the only demanding game I play (BF2) doesn't support multi-threading. Are any of these better or worse than the others?
 
hermeslyre

hermeslyre

VIP Member
Honestly, it depends on what you're looking for. The extra L2 cache, on the Exx20/50 models, will make for an overall speedier chip, in gaming and application situations. Obviously this is the same with higher effective clock speeds. That you're not demanding much out of the chip now doesn't mean it will remain so.. Future proofing vs. budget. I'd go with the 6750 personally. The 2x4mb L2, high stock clock speed, lowish price. It's too much power for your current gaming needs, but that's the point.
 
F

fortyways

banned
Okay, thanks, so now I'm looking more closely (based on the high FSB and cache) at the E6750 and the E6550, which is apparently the same except it has a 2.33GHz clock instead of 2.66GHz, right?

My current processor (in my sig) runs at 3.0GHz with Netburst architecture. Am I correct in understanding that even a 2.33GHz C2D would outperform it? Is there any C2D that wouldn't outperform it, even in single-threaded games like BF2?
 
hermeslyre

hermeslyre

VIP Member
fortyways said:
Okay, thanks, so now I'm looking more closely (based on the high FSB and cache) at the E6750 and the E6550, which is apparently the same except it has a 2.33GHz clock instead of 2.66GHz, right?
Click to expand...

Yeah. You're basically paying premium for a slightly higher clock speed. If you were overclocking this wouldn't be a barrier to overcome: a simple fsb tweak, with both voltage and memory speed regulation, would result in the 6550 running at the 6750's level, with barely any effort, and not a single negative aftereffect.

fortyways said:
My current processor (in my sig) runs at 3.0GHz with Netburst architecture. Am I correct in understanding that even a 2.33GHz C2D would outperform it? Is there any C2D that wouldn't outperform it, even in single-threaded games like BF2?
Click to expand...

Brainiacs vs. Speed Demons. Except that speed demons (netburst tech) have been abandoned and brainiacs (low clock speed, high IPC rate) have been left to fester. The radically improved architecture that all C2d processors posses is currently top of the heap, any would outperform your PD hand over fist, regardless of the applications threaded state.. It is the result of the aforementioned attributes: A more efficient core architecture, and a high IPC (instructions per clock)
 
Iluvpenguins

Iluvpenguins

New Member
Get an E6750. Getting a Q6600 won't be future proof as it'll become useless when it comes to the time that we see great benefits in Quad Core computing at home. By that time, there will be newer Quad Cores for the same price anyhow.
 
S

Sophocles

VIP Member
I think that if you read most posts there is a consensus that a Dual Core system makes more sense than a Quad core for most real world use. There just isn't much out there that really makes use of a Quad Core CPu, so a faster Dual core is going to net you more benefit per dollar.

Another point to consider is L2 Cache. The latest Intel Core 2 chips respond well to L2 so it is better to go with a Conroe over an Allendale.

Someone also mentioned over clocking! There is no better way to maximize the value of a CPU than by over clocking it. Some of us do that to extreme but a modest over clock is much simpler to achieve and can push the performance of a CPU to that of one that can cost 3 times as much or more without harming your system.

HLG
 
O

oscaryu1

VIP Member
Sophocles said:
I think that if you read most posts there is a consensus that a Dual Core system makes more sense than a Quad core for most real world use. There just isn't much out there that really makes use of a Quad Core CPu, so a faster Dual core is going to net you more benefit per dollar.

Another point to consider is L2 Cache. The latest Intel Core 2 chips respond well to L2 so it is better to go with a Conroe over an Allendale.

Someone also mentioned over clocking! There is no better way to maximize the value of a CPU than by over clocking it. Some of us do that to extreme but a modest over clock is much simpler to achieve and can push the performance of a CPU to that of one that can cost 3 times as much or more without harming your system.

HLG
Click to expand...

1) Quad core is fast in 4 core supported applications, period. More futureproof, better at multitasking, and the same price as the E6850 if you plan to get it.

2) Overclocking takes skill. You can't just jump right to there. Read some guides first...
 
hermeslyre

hermeslyre

VIP Member
fortyways said:
I think I'm gonna go with the E6550. I don't see any reason why I couldn't overclock it to meet or exceed a stock E6750 if I saw the need.

Should it be compatible with these two motherboards? (I haven't made a final decision on the mobo yet):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131196
Click to expand...

Yeah.

Good you changed you're mind on overclocking, it can save you quite a bit of money over all.
 
F

fortyways

banned
I have one more question before I decide to order this or pick it up from Fry's (20-40 dollars more plus sales tax, but free return/exchange privileges).

I've heard about the two revisions of the Q6600, B3 and G0, and that G0 is better for overclocking and stuff. Is there a specific revision of the E6550 that I should be trying to get, or does this only apply to that one processor, the Q6600?

Thanks
 
Iluvpenguins

Iluvpenguins

New Member
I believe all E6550's are the same. I think that B3 and G0 stepping only refers to the Q6600.

In terms of the E6550, i've seen some people get it to 3.4ghz on air cooling. I got to 3.01ghz no problem without even understanding how to do a large overclock. So you should be fine. Its also currently running at 27 degrees on idle and like 36 degrees underload after it's OC.
 
hermeslyre

hermeslyre

VIP Member
fortyways said:
I've heard about the two revisions of the Q6600, B3 and G0, and that G0 is better for overclocking and stuff. Is there a specific revision of the E6550 that I should be trying to get, or does this only apply to that one processor, the Q6600?
Click to expand...

The e6550 is only available in the G0 variety. B3 was an older stepping that was available in certain other "older" conroe chips.
 
F

fortyways

banned
sho95 said:
This one it way better for OC:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131196
I have it. I use a E6300 running at 3.0 ghz. Just make sure + the volts on the ram.
Click to expand...

I am going with that one. Mostly because of the heat pipe (it saves room for a Scythe Ninja cooler). The one I got from Fry's however is dead, so I'll either exchange it or order from Newegg.

hermeslyre said:
The e6550 is only available in the G0 variety. B3 was an older stepping that was available in certain other "older" conroe chips.
Click to expand...

Thanks, good to know. Is the same true for the E6750? I went ahead with that one when I realized the price difference was about 15 bucks.
 
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