DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 upgrades

[rmiranda95]

Hey Everyone,
I've just been thinking about upgrading some computer parts, and my processor is my oldest, so I figured I'd start there.
I've currently got a DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo E6300, and am looking to replace it with an Intel quad core of sorts, any suggestions?
Much appreciated

 

[elpinguinopy]

Budget please?

 

[amnotanoobie]

Well, you better start checking what your motherboard supports. I think the Q9xxx series are a bit better overclockers (and probably also with temperatures) compared to the Q8xxx series. So if your motherboard supports the 9 series, and you could find one on stock, go with it.

 

[Stardude82]

If you have C2D 6300 (1.86 Ghz)... my guess you have an older board, probably a 965 or the like and you might be stuck with a Q6xxx or nothing. Luckily, you can find the Q6xxx pretty cheap right now about $100 on the secondary market.

Otherwise if your motherboard is newer, ewiz.com has tray Q9300 and Q8400's going for $150. According to Anand, they do hold up (along with the Q6xxx's) pretty well against a $90 Athlon 640.

 

[4745454b]

I'd like to point out that if you have an Nvidia 680i or 650i you can't use the 45nm quads. The Q6xxx chips are all you can do. You can use the 45nm duals. Budget and rest of system will help us help you.

You also said you were looking to upgrade, why is that? Simply because you have $$$ right now or because X is taking to long?

 

[blackpanther26]

if you can aford a new motherboard and a new CPU with Ram I would go the way of the i7 930 or 950.

 

[rmiranda95]

Alrighty, Budget being about $550, and for system I've got as follows:
-- CPU DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo E6300, 1866 MHz (7 x 267)
-- Motherboard Name XFX MB-N680-ILT9 (2 PCI, 2 PCI-E x1, 2 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Gigabit LAN, IEEE-1394)
-- Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce 680i LT SLI
Anything else needed? Sorry I'm not the most tech-savvy guy :/
Looking to upgrade because I play WoW and w/ the new Expansion coming out, ima need to be able to run it
Thanks again

 

[elpinguinopy]

OC your CPU to 3GHz and you should have no problems with WoW.. how much ram?

 

[4745454b]

RAM, video card, resolution? Help us out here.

You do have a 680i so getting any of the 45nm quads is out. You can get a Q6600 on the used market for around $100. Or you can buy a 45nm dual (8400 or such chip) for around the same price or more. I don't know how to spend the $500ish without knowing what the system has.

 

[rmiranda95]

RAM -- 2GB of RAM
Video Card -- NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS (512 MB)
Resolution -- Screen Resolution? 1440x900

Anything else?

 

[4745454b]

Your GPU is junk. If you want to game you need a new one for sure. Not sure if another 2GBs of ram is really worth it.

I'd either try to get a Q6600 or Q6700 or an 8x00 CPU. Get it as cheap as possible. Grab a new GPU, 5750 or some other such card. I'd try that and see if it keeps you going. Be careful throwing $$$ into this rig. You're at the usable end for it so there isn't much point in tossing money at it. $100 for a new CPU with a new $100ish card is okish, but I wouldn't throw $500 at it.

If you have that much you MIGHT want to see what an AM3 setup would cost you. Seeing as AM3 and both Intel sockets are basically dead this is a horrible time to buy new. Upgrading what you have and waiting for AM3+ and Intels new sockets to arrive is probably best.

 

[blackpanther26]

ok how about this

CPU Intel Core i7 930 2.8GHz $284.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115225

Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-X58-USB3 LGA 1366 Intel X58 USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard 189.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128456

memory Kingston 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1066D3N7K3/3G $60.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134828

total is $499.98

Or you can wait until Sandy Bridge is released which will drop the prices on the Core i7 and the LGA 1366 motherboards.

 

[rmiranda95]

Alrighty, sounds good, i appreciate the help guys

 

[4745454b]

Problem with that is he is stuck with his 8400GS for gaming. Yuck. If he can buy from newegg its not a bad start. He could set that up, then sell his old stuff. Use that $$$ to buy a new GPU? He might need a new PSU as well. Not sure his current one with work with the new board.

 

[rmiranda95]

Acronyms?
PSU?
GPU?
What does this mean to me?

 

[4745454b]

PSU = Power Supply Unit. Its the thing that converts AC electricity into the DC electricity that your computer uses.

GPU = Graphical Processing Unit. Its the thing that puts the pixels in the right place on your screen/monitor.

With a new motherboard (mobo) you might need a new PSU. The new motherboard might have new plugs your old PSU doesn't have. Your current board and the new one both have 8 pin ATX AUX plugs so your probably ok. You need an upgraded PSU if your new GPU will draw more power then your PSU can handle. This will depend on what GPU you buy.

 

[rmiranda95]

Alrighty, any ideas how much that's gonna cost me?
WoW patched yesterday and well, my PC is running so slow I'm actually gonna wait to play until i get parts, so the sooner the better
Thanks again everyone

 

[4745454b]

I think I stand by my original idea. Hit up the used forums and grab a Q6x00 or a E8x00. Toss a cheap 5750, 5770, GTS250, etc in there and be done with it. Wait for all the new parts to come in by next year and then possibly buy new. If you spend $100 on the CPU, $100 on the GPU, and another $50-$75 on the PSU you should be able to keep this rig gaming for the next year. (and not spend all $500.) At that point you can look around and see how sandybridge, bulldozer, and the new cards from Nvidia and AMD are doing.