Gaming Quad core vs Duo Core

[Tesal]

Hi, im new to these forums but i was directed here by a friend because I couldn't decide which processor to get for my new computer. This question may have been answered some where else or be better for me to post some where else. IF so just let me know and ill move the post.

Basically I am a pretty big gamer and I havn't had my computer seriously upgraded in about 4 years or so. I am trying to decide which would be the better buy for me a duo core or a quad core?

I have been looking at 2 processors in particular the quad core Q6600(2.4gig) and the duo core E6850(3gig). So the question is which to get? From what I saw on this site the duo core definitely will run the older games better but the newer games will take better advantage of the additional cores. Also I plan to overclock and I know the duo core can be overclocked a lot higher than the quad cores.

Any input is appreciated, I am not a complete computer guru so if you get to technical I will probably get lost but I am some what educated in the area. If you for some reason need to see the complete computer spec of what I'm building just ask and ill post it (yes I am getting a nvidia 8800 gtx).

 

[yomamafor1]

Q6600, hands down.

This graph says it all, courtesy of Anandtech:

And you'll only see more of this.

 

[plguzman]

Once again:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2quad-q6600.html

 

[sailer]

Add a third voice. The next few years will belong to quad core CPUs, at least until they start making 8 core CPUs and games to match.

 

[Evilonigiri]

Q6600 for sure. Just make sure you get the G0 stepping revision.

 

[Hatman]

For Q6600 price theres no reason not to get one IMO. But I also think theres no reason to get any high spec quad core either.


Basically any quad core except Q6600 dies in price/performance, because even for Q6700 you pay 2x as much for 266 extra mhz, which even a newbie could do in BIOS in literally 10seconds.

 

[computertech82]

As one already posted:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2quad-q6600_8.html#sect0
Quads don't have much use except in the newest games that area actually written for multicore cpus. Still more important having high-end video cards.
In a year or two, it will start to change for quads, but by that time, you'll need a NEWER quad cpu not an older one (unless you really overclock it).

 

[itotallybelieveyou]

Why is it always the E6850 and the Q6600 everyone who need a new rig says that but yea. Even at lower clocks I'm pretty sure the Q6600 will beat out the E6850 in some games are even taking advantage of it. To really do this Assign your windows and background tasks to core 3 and 4. and games to 1 and 2. Yes you can do this.

 

[maverick7]

q6600 for sure

 

[aevm]

Right now the E6850 is better, but that won't last much longer. Since you kept your previous CPU for years, I will assume you want to do the same with the new one. Get a Q6600.

Edit: or wait until January and get a Q9450. It will cost about the same as the Q6600 and it will be at least 10% faster. You might even get a better video card than the 8800 GTX at that time.

Post the rest of the config, why not. We don't really need to see it but it can't hurt. For example did you pick a decent PSU?

 

[Tesal]

Actually I hadn't upgraded in a while because there wasn't any need for an upgrade. Cpu had more or less hit a wall and games weren't advancing in technology has they had been. Computer I had now was specced out to play Doom 3 at the time.

Any way computer spec:

Video Card
Foxconn FV-N88XMAD2-ONOC GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported OverClock Video Card - Retail

Power Supply
APEVIA ATX-AS680W-BL ATX12V / EPS12V 680W Power Supply - Retail

Motherboard
ASUS P5K-VM LGA 775 Intel G33 uATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Processor
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail

Ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

In the end comes out to about $1000 dollars after rebates which was about what I was looking to spend.

 

[bornking]

Unreal 3 uses all four cores. Next gen is quad core, oh yeah.

 

[StevieD]

E6850 is faster.... today.

Q6600 is better.... for tomorrow.

Regardless of how a game or application is threaded, the Q6600 is better for most computer users.

Think about it, how many programs and browser windows do you have open at this very moment?

Personally at this very moment I have 4 applications running on the taskbar, 3 web browser windows opened plus all the basic Vista applications running by default.

 

[Harrisson]

IMO answer is pretty simple - if you want the fastest cpu for games TODAY and planning to upgrade it next year - dual core the way to go. If you build PC for the next 2-3 years with little/no upgrades, then Q6600 is a better choice.

 

[aevm]

I wouldn't trust that Apevia PSU, not for a PC with so many expensive parts. I'd play it safe and get a top quality PSU (PC P&C Silencer 610W $130 at newegg, or Corsair 620HX $140).

The G33 mobo with integrated graphics doesn't make much sense to me. Am I missing something here? Will you use a monitor with the integrated video, for example to watch movies, while another monitor is connected to the GTX and plays games? Will you use 3 monitors, maybe?

If you're not planning to do that sort of thing I'd recommend a P35 motherboard, for example GA-P35-DS3L.

 

[Hatman]

Id actually say e6750 is a much better choice then e6850, not much clock speed less and much much cheaper.