Gigabyte P35 D3SL best CPU?

[Warpspasm]

Since I have to fix some stuff on my system, I'm thinking about upgrading my CPU. Currently the motherboard has a E4500 processor that I'm overclocking a wee bit. I do some gaming and photo retouching mostly. Any suggestions on a good processor for this aging motherboard?

 

[spooky2th]

If the board is correct, I believe this is a list of CPUs that would be compatible with your board.

http://www.gigabyte.us/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=2778

 

[Warpspasm]

Thanks, but it's actually a P35 and not an EP35. Your link helped me find the correct CPU page however.
Here's the link for my mobo: http://www.gigabyte.us/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=2629

Now, any suggestions on a good pick for gaming and photo processing?

 

[spooky2th]

Personally, I would go with the Core™ 2 Extreme QX9650. Just make sure your bios version is at least F2. You can probably get a good deal on those CPUs now. For a while it used to be intel's flagship processor.

 

[Warpspasm]

I'm pretty sure I'm up to F8 on my BIOS. I'll check out that CPU. Can I just drop in that processor without changing anything else on my motherboard? That would help a lot.

Wow, I just checked and that processor is still $329 on Newegg.

 

[Shadow703793]

@OP: Depending on the software you run, you will most certainly benefit from a quad. You should be able to find a Q6600,etc on Ebay for <$100. I would NOT spend more than $150-200 as you can spend a little more and get a AM3 CPU. There is no point in spending money on a dead socket. DO NOT buy the QX9650.

If you have not OCed this yet. OC it. Here is the guide I wrote a while back: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/245679-29-guide-overclocking-ds3l-updated-2008 for that exact board.

edit:
I see that you have a small OC. What heatsink are you using?

 

[Warpspasm]

ROSEWILL|RCX-Z775-EX

 

[spooky2th]

Shadow is probably right. No need to spend much on that old board. You can still go down the list of compatible CPUs and find a faster (than your old CPU) one that's a more economical. But then again, a QX9650 would make your comp fly like it never has.

I would look at CPU and mother board bundles too. Now you can get really good deals on new CPU/Board combos that cost less than the QX9650 alone. AMD and Intel.

 

[4745454b]

Agree with Shadow, do not buy the 95xx or 96xx. A used quad for $100-120 will be fine. Much more then that and your better off getting new equipment.

 

[Shadow703793]

ROSEWILL|RCX-Z775-EX

You should have no problem hitting 2.6-3.1Ghz on that cooler on the E4500. Like I said, you are better off getting something like a Q6600 and OCing that to 3Ghz or more if you feel that the OC is not enough.

 

[knotknut]

Here is a list of CPU's and Bios that will run on your board. Personally I wouldnt look at anything other that Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quad. If you dont have rev. 2.0 you can find rev. 1.0 there too.

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Gigabyte/GA-P35-DS3L(rev._2.0).html

Also here is a nice OC'n article that goes well with Shadow's Guide.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/dual-quad,1720.html

 

[Warpspasm]

The more I think about it, the more I think I'll just bump up the OC on this processor. If I get where I need more power after that, I'll just do a new build. I just got it where CPU-Z says it's at 1498.5 Since this is a Core 2 Duo, that means I'm running about 3 Ghz, right?

 

[4745454b]

No. It probably means you have Steedstep turned on and the CPU multiplier is at 6.

 

[Warpspasm]

Don't know what Steedstep is, but CPU-Z does say the multiplier is at 6. So, what's this telling me?

 

[Shadow703793]

^ This means you have SpeedStep on. Read the manual on how to turn it off. It should be something like EIST in the BIOS.

 

[Warpspasm]

Found it and disabled it. Is that a good thing?

How good of a job does the EasyTune6 application do at overclocking. I'm not talking about extreme overclocking here. But it sure would make things easier if it worked. I see two different ways to overclock using it. One is the Tuner and the other is Smart.

 

[Shadow703793]

DO NOT use EasyTune. It is just too unstable causing BSODs,etc imo.

Found it and disabled it. Is that a good thing?

Dosen't really matter. Your CPU will now probably run a bit hotter at idle speeds. But now you will ALWAYS run at one speed.

ALWAYS OC via BIOS. See my guide above.

 

[tecmo34]

^+1000 agree with Shadow703793

Overclocking should be done through the BIOS. At most a program like EasyTune should only be used to do some little final tweaking once the "major" overclocking has been confirmed stable through the appropriate testing.

 

[4745454b]

I've never really done a lot of OCing. When I have, its always been in the bios. If you want a very mild OC then a software app might be ok. I know some like to use it to OC the CPU before loading a game. Gets them a few extra MHz before loading without having to reboot. I wouldn't do any 24/7 OCing with one.

 

[Warpspasm]

Well, at this point it doesn't matter much. I can't my PC to post. There's a running thread in the Motherboard board regarding this if you care to chime in. Wait this IS the motherboard board! I can't figure the darn thing out. Just switched the power supply, but that wasn't it.

 

[4745454b]

I thought it was running and you just disabled Speedstep? Perhaps you changed something else in the bios? Reset the bios and see if that helps.

 

[Warpspasm]

It was running. The problem is intermittent (but getting worse). Check out my other thread in the motherboard forum.

 

[Shadow703793]

^Link?

 

[Warpspasm]

Oops!

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/281779-30-power-mobo-post#t1935295

Here's a link to my thread asking for help with a new build. I think I may go that route now.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/297825-31-rebuild-dead-system-advice