Need help deciding a proc.

TheGreatSatan · 17-October-08, 11:08 AM

I want to upgrade R2-M5 to something far better than what it is now. Here's the motherboard I'm getting. I will be using an ATI 3870 HD 1GB video card (because I already have it) and 16GB of DDR2-800!! I want Intel Quad core, but don't know what to get. Being relatively cheap (probably on ebay), I'd like to keep it at $300 or so. I might be able to score a QX6850. What do you think?

reflux · 17-October-08, 11:19 AM

Get a Q9550 IMO, or a Q6600.

What on earth do you need 16gb of RAM for?

TheGreatSatan · 17-October-08, 12:20 PM

For the hell of it.

The Q9400 sells for less than the QX6850. I thought that a higher number meant it was better

reflux · 17-October-08, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGreatSatan


	For the hell of it. The Q9400 sells for less than the QX6850. I thought that a higher number meant it was better

Well, that's a total waste of money then mate, no consumer level apps even really approach the need for 8GB, let alone 16. Also bear in mind that if you're planning on overclocking, lots of RAM sticks increase the probability of error. But obviously its your cash lol

You could go for a QX6850 but it would be silly; they're only Conroe CPUs with 4mb of L2 cache. A much cheaper Penryn Q9550 would be a better performer, run cooler, be much cheaper and overclock nearly as well.

Q9400s are naff, don't bother with one of those.

67_GTO · 17-October-08, 01:40 PM

Yea all that RAM is gonna put a strain on your memory controller. You may find (if you try it) that it will be faster with 8 GB's.

TheGreatSatan · 17-October-08, 01:54 PM

I don't overclock at all. I would definitely start with 8GB because 16GB is still over $400, but I just want a board that can be expanded to that in the future, if need be.

The QX6850 blows away the Q9550

hwbot.org - Compare Hardware

Slaymate · 17-October-08, 04:33 PM

I had a QX6850, it was a great cpu but it does run hotter than all the other quads. I've got a QX9650 now and it's also a great cpu and it runs much cooler. If I had to keep it around $300 I'd be buying the Q9550. Why you ask. The 12mb of L2 cache is going to be a good boost for demanding applications and it's going to run cooler and overclock better. While you did say you don't overclock, it's still a good option. With it you have the option for a free upgrade if needed when times get tougher.

TheGreatSatan · 17-October-08, 04:45 PM

Thank you.

Hak Foo · 18-October-08, 12:47 AM

Get a Phenom instead. You can get the absolute top of the range and a pretty nice board for 300.-

Having just bought an AM2+ setup, I now have a vested interest in AMD staying in business long enough to get Deneb out the door.

TheGreatSatan · 18-October-08, 10:32 AM

I have a 6000+ in another system that I love, but Phenoms are garbage. Even Core 2 duo's beat out Phenoms.

TheGreatSatan · 21-October-08, 07:50 PM

I can get the Q9550 on Newegg for $319 and the QX6850 for about $350 on ebay. Do you guys think the $30 difference is worth it?

17-October-08, 11:08 AM		#1 (permalink)
TheGreatSatan Apex Tech Demi-God	Need help deciding a proc. I want to upgrade R2-M5 to something far better than what it is now. Here's the motherboard I'm getting. I will be using an ATI 3870 HD 1GB video card (because I already have it) and 16GB of DDR2-800!! I want Intel Quad core, but don't know what to get. Being relatively cheap (probably on ebay), I'd like to keep it at $300 or so. I might be able to score a QX6850. What do you think?

17-October-08, 11:19 AM		#2 (permalink)
reflux Sempr0n?	Re: Need help deciding a proc. Get a Q9550 IMO, or a Q6600. What on earth do you need 16gb of RAM for?

17-October-08, 12:20 PM		#3 (permalink)
TheGreatSatan Apex Tech Demi-God	Re: Need help deciding a proc. For the hell of it. The Q9400 sells for less than the QX6850. I thought that a higher number meant it was better

17-October-08, 01:40 PM		#5 (permalink)
67_GTO Apex Tech Fanatic	Re: Need help deciding a proc. Yea all that RAM is gonna put a strain on your memory controller. You may find (if you try it) that it will be faster with 8 GB's.

17-October-08, 01:54 PM		#6 (permalink)
TheGreatSatan Apex Tech Demi-God	Re: Need help deciding a proc. I don't overclock at all. I would definitely start with 8GB because 16GB is still over $400, but I just want a board that can be expanded to that in the future, if need be. The QX6850 blows away the Q9550 hwbot.org - Compare Hardware

17-October-08, 04:33 PM		#7 (permalink)
Slaymate PCApex Reviewer From Hell	Re: Need help deciding a proc. I had a QX6850, it was a great cpu but it does run hotter than all the other quads. I've got a QX9650 now and it's also a great cpu and it runs much cooler. If I had to keep it around $300 I'd be buying the Q9550. Why you ask. The 12mb of L2 cache is going to be a good boost for demanding applications and it's going to run cooler and overclock better. While you did say you don't overclock, it's still a good option. With it you have the option for a free upgrade if needed when times get tougher.

17-October-08, 04:45 PM		#8 (permalink)
TheGreatSatan Apex Tech Demi-God	Re: Need help deciding a proc. Thank you.

18-October-08, 12:47 AM		#9 (permalink)
Hak Foo Apex Elite Tech	Re: Need help deciding a proc. Get a Phenom instead. You can get the absolute top of the range and a pretty nice board for 300.- Having just bought an AM2+ setup, I now have a vested interest in AMD staying in business long enough to get Deneb out the door.

18-October-08, 10:32 AM		#10 (permalink)
TheGreatSatan Apex Tech Demi-God	Re: Need help deciding a proc. I have a 6000+ in another system that I love, but Phenoms are garbage. Even Core 2 duo's beat out Phenoms.

21-October-08, 07:50 PM		#11 (permalink)
TheGreatSatan Apex Tech Demi-God	Re: Need help deciding a proc. I can get the Q9550 on Newegg for $319 and the QX6850 for about $350 on ebay. Do you guys think the $30 difference is worth it?

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