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Considering upgrade but have questions...

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - Considering upgrade but have questions...

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crashingmedic   10-02-2009 at 01:48:55 AM

I have an Intel Q6600, 4GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800, & an ASROCK Penryn 1600SLI 100db motherboard. I've ruled out an upgrade to another socket 775 cpu because, honestly, some of my friends with newer 775 cpus have machines that aren't any faster than mine (real world experience that is).

I've considered upgrading to an i7, specifically the 920, and I know I'd have to buy a new motherboard and DDR3 as well. I also have friends with this new cpu and the machine is a little faster but it's clearly not a night and day difference. The real world difference to me doesn't justify building an entire new system.

Here's my delima...

I like future proofing my machines (as much as possible) and I don't want to have to buy all new components each time I consider a cpu upgrade.

I've heard rumors of 6 & even 8 core cpus coming up next year from intel and one of those would be ideal for me. Does anyone know what socket these new cpus will use? I know it's not the old 775. But...I'm not sure if they will be the 1366, 1156 or something new altogether. I can't find reliable info on the subject...

The main use of my pc is for day trading and I am an extreme multitasker running 15+ different programs simultaneously. My machine runs good but as it is with the trading software constantly being upgraded I am noticing more lag than I did a year ago. And yes, I redo my OS every few months and reload all my trading applications so the lag that is developing is not from an older Windows XP Pro install...it's the programs becoming larger and more cpu intensive.

Anyway, any reliable information about future cpus coming out is greatly appreciated. I may also consider an i7-920 and overclock it when the prices come down next year. Thanks for any info and advice you all have...EWB

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shadow703793   10-02-2009 at 02:20:55 AM

WHY don't you just OC it (and your friends too)? The Q6600 can easily hit 3.6Ghz. Just grab a good aftermarket cooler and go for it. A Core Contact Freezer or S1283 will do well.

 

Start here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] uals-guide
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ture-guide

 

And Google is your friend. Spend a few hours doing some research.


Message edited by shadow703793 on 10-02-2009 at 02:23:18 AM
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3818083596_1a772f7162_o.gif
 Reply to shadow703793
jennyh   10-02-2009 at 03:43:30 AM

Q6600's don't 'easily' hit 3.6ghz, in fact most of them don't. 3.2-3.4ghz is pretty good though and that is about as good as can be expected on a non top of the line mobo.

Reply to jennyh
crashingmedic   10-02-2009 at 08:36:29 PM

As far as overclocking I've had it oc'ed to 3Ghz without changing any settings and it will run stable until I start utilizing a lot of the RAM. I've had a few spontaneous restarts while oc'ed to 3Ghz so I backed it back down to 2.7Ghz and it's rock solid. It's not much of an overclock but at least it's something. I also use an Arctic 7 Freezer Pro cooler.

My motherboard won't let me change the multiplier at all...lower it that is. It's locked. So that limits me on what I can do as far as overclocking and keeping the FSB under 1600. Most of my friends who overclock top out around 3.2-3.4 like jennyh stated and honestly there just isn't a lot of difference in their machines vs mine at 2.7-3.0.

Anyway, to overclock and get the most out of it I'd need a higher end board, meaning purchasing a new board. I'd rather purchase a newer type of board, cpu & RAM that I can continue to use in the future when the newer cpus come out.

Reply to crashingmedic
crashingmedic   10-02-2009 at 09:54:25 PM

Shadow703793,

What motherboard allows the q6600 to reach 3.6Ghz? Do you have links to recommended boards? I might check out eBay just for the fun of it to see if anything is out there at a bargain price.

Reply to crashingmedic
shadow703793   10-02-2009 at 10:25:51 PM

^Good P35/P45 can do it. A p35-DS3L/UD3L,etc can easily do it assuming you have a pretty good G0 rev Q6600. However, 3-3.4Ghz is more realistic.

 

@jennyh: Q6600 B3's are quite limited, but the G0s can hit 3.6Ghz assuming good VID and a good board.

 

Also, I recommend against buying used motherboards,etc from Newegg unless it's a good price.


Message edited by shadow703793 on 10-02-2009 at 10:36:50 PM
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3818083596_1a772f7162_o.gif
 Reply to shadow703793
amdfangirl   10-03-2009 at 03:31:30 AM

I recommend keeping your mobo. Upgrade cost really not worth it.

Reply to amdfangirl
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