Need help advising on a CPU upgrade

[Guest]

Hi,

I am currently using a Intel Core 2 Duo E6850, S775, 3.0 in my PC and want to upgrade the CPU, but I am not sure what would be a worthwhile upgrade using a 775 socket

Anyone have any ideas

 

[MMclachlan]

You need to find your motherboard make and model and check the manufacturers site for the CPU support list before you know what CPUs it will be able to run

 

[Guest]

I have an Nvidia 680i SLI so it supports QUAD, DUAL etc etc

 

[MMclachlan]

Hmm, I am nigh on certain the 680i doesn't support the 45nm quad cores, I.e Q9300, Q9x50.
You would be limited to getting a Q6600/Q6700 or a E8x00 with that board, and a E8500 for instance would need a BIOS update.
It depends on what you want it for. Recent advice has always been if you game mostly then get a E8x00 and overclock it up to 4Ghz, for media vid encoding etc get a quad. However recently this is changing to favour multi-threaded apps and games. So for a certain amount of future-proofing nmy personal advice would be to get a Q6600 and a decent aftermarket cooler - Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme is about the best you can get - and then o/c the quad to 3.4-3.6Ghz. That should be quick enough to run all single threaded apps for the time being then you have the extra cores there for the new software coming out that can take advantage of them. (Or if you have the cash get a 780i or better and a Q9x50!)

 

[jitpublisher]

^Right on, I have seen many people having problems even getting the dual core Wolfdales to run on the 680i chipset, even though they have released BIOS's reporting to support them.

 

[Guest]

Hmm I think I might get the 780i mobo then and a Q9x50 depending on price

Thanks alot guys that helps me out a great deal

 

[chookman]

I dont think the upgrade is worth it at all, try overclocking your CPU and save for i7 or next gen build.

 

[dragonsprayer]

depends on case and cooling, depends on what you use the system for and how much want to spend

$450-$500 qx9650 - look around! 4.2-4.4ghz air and water

q6600 clocks to 3.6ghz on air with most intel mobos

E8400-E8500 clock to 4ghz to4.4ghz good from small micro atx
e7200 the overclocking cheapie!

 

[dragonsprayer]

e6750 clocks to 3.6ghz with no problems
i am running a e6750 on 425fsb at 3.4ghz