Which processor for gaming and occasionally heavy CPU intensive tasks

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Lord Nemesis

Lord Nemesis

Overlord
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Since I have decided to get a new X38/X48 motherboard for my 4850 Crossfire, I am thinking whether I should get a new processor as well.

I currently have an E6600 running at 3.0 GHz.

My rig is mainly used for gaming and occasionally running some heavy code compilation (>5000 source files which takes more than an hour on dual core) and some other processor intensive tasks/tools.

one thing I would like to say before hand is that I do not like to over clock extremely, I run the processor at the speed that does not result in too much heat or system un stability.

My current choices



E8400

45nm Process, Runs at 3.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB default and over-clockable to 4.0GHz easily. Multiplier 9. But its still a dual core. Costs 8.5k approx

E7200



45nm Process, runs at 2.53Ghz, 1066Mhz FSB. Multiplier 9.5, since its a 45nm proccy, its should be as much over-clockable as the E8400 without loosing out on stability or heat generation aspects. costs only about 6k

Still these are both dual core, is it any worth upgrading to either of these form an E6600?

On the quad core front

Q6600

65nm Process, runs at 2.4 GHZ, 1066Mhz FSB, Multiplier 9, 8MB cache, inspite of the higher multiplier, quad on a 65nm process means higher heat generation and so lesser over clockability. Costs 9.8k

Q6700

65nm process, runs at 2.66GHz, 1066Mhz FSB, Multiplier 10, 8MB cache, same shortcomings as the Q6600, dont know about cost and availability, If its 12k, it would be a nice otpion, otherwise no intention of spending more than 12k on processor. Any idea about the price?

Q9300

45nm Process, runs at 2.5GHz, 1333Mhz FSB, Multiplier 7.5, 6MB cache, It has a lower multiplier and cache is less. But its 45nm processor, so should be able to run cooler even at higher clocks. costs about 12k.

I am not sure which one I should go for. should I buy now or is anything better (price cuts/more value for money processor) coming up before Nehelam.
 
Then Q6600 with a good stepping (current) will do the job! or just stick with E6600, try to OC it more. U will feel good diff. IMO if u OC more from 3 to 3.4 or 3.6 ghz.
 
you are rich :)

u can go for whatever one you want :P

neways, for games...higher clocks of the e8400 will match any quad today...but if you want a future proof thingie, go for the q9300

since you say that you will jump onto nehalem.....i suggest the e8400

the current 3ghz will be a huge bottleneck for the xfire :)
 
Q9550 ?? it will replace Q9450 @ same price late next month.

45nm Quad performs similar to 65nm quad @ 200-300MHz higher freequency due to SSE4 and more L2 Cache.

and Farookh & Roboghost have good Q9450 batch, 3.6 @ 1.3v iirc (Pheonix GO)

and newer 45nm (wolfdales) steppings r also comming out.

Dont consider Q6700/Q9300.
 
q9300 has lower multiplier...will face trouble with overclkin......ur current proccyis gud as suggested......go for quad..later.wen u seriously need to upgrade till then wait .......IMO:D
 
Hmmm...Lord similar setups, similar queries.....yes the latest is that the Q9450 prices will drop next quarter, thats like in a month, so stick with ur current proccy and get the 45nm Quads when they are cheaper

Btw the q9550 are already available at egg for $500 odd.

And Siddhu also recommended me changing my mobo, I am seriously considering the X38!...lemme know if ur getting a good deal..we can make it better if we get 2.
 
Jasku said:
Hmmm...Lord similar setups, similar queries.....yes the latest is that the Q9450 prices will drop next quarter, thats like in a month, so stick with ur current proccy and get the 45nm Quads when they are cheaper

Btw the q9550 are already available at egg for $500 odd.

And Siddhu also recommended me changing my mobo, I am seriously considering the X38!...lemme know if ur getting a good deal..we can make it better if we get 2.
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Yeah, I am holding fast to my E6600 for the time being. Will upgrade to a quad after the next round of price cuts and something better comes up with in the 10~12k range.

As for Mobo, I most definitely have to change it since I have ordered 2 x HD4850 for a crossfire setup and the P5W DH does not have enough PCIe bandwidth for it. Actually even a single card would probably be bottlenecked a little (though it will not show up at lower resolutions) since version 1.1 PCIe x16 is same as version 2.0 PCIe x8

I will mostly pick either a Gigabyte X48-DQ6 or Asus Rampage Formula though I am more inclined towards the former. Will also consider Gigabyte EX38-DQ6 if it saves me a decent amount.

Actually I would prefer to have 8 SATA II ports on my mobo (I already have 6 HDD if I include the 2 x 640GB WDC I picked up from Amabir yesterday. :ohyeah: ). So even Rampage Formula is mostly out of my list.

_pappu_ said:
you are rich :)

u can go for whatever one you want :P
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Nah mate, I am not rich. I am just spending my hard earned money and though I can spend a lot of it, I don't want to waste it either. :P

_pappu_ said:
since you say that you will jump onto nehalem.....i suggest the e8400

the current 3ghz will be a huge bottleneck for the xfire :)
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I didn't say I will jump to Nehelam, though eventually I will, I am of the opinion that Nehelam platform would be uber costly atleast for the first half of 2009. So its pointless for me to just keep on waiting, So I thought I would just upgrade now and let it last till it can and upgrade to Nehelam only when it becomes affordable.
 
Dont upgrade right away, your current processor should not be too much of a bottleneck.

Might be worth waiting on for a couple of months and picking a fast quad at 10-12k range :)
 
fangface said:
Dont upgrade right away, your current processor should not be too much of a bottleneck.

Might be worth waiting on for a couple of months and picking a fast quad at 10-12k range :)
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Yep, thats the idea right now. Will just concentrate on getting a good motherboard for now.
 
Lord Nemesis;853177]Since I have decided to get a new X38/X48 motherboard for my 4850 Crossfire, I am thinking whether I should get a new processor as well.

I currently have an E6600 running at 3.0 GHz.

My rig is mainly used for gaming and occasionally running some heavy code compilation (>5000 source files which takes more than an hour on dual core) and some other processor intensive tasks/tools.

one thing I would like to say before hand is that I do not like to over clock extremely, I run the processor at the speed that does not result in too much heat or system un stability.
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Stick with your E6600 till Nehalem comes. If you must change your processor, get Q9450.
 
Lord Nemesis said:
Yep, thats the idea right now. Will just concentrate on getting a good motherboard for now.
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But the question is that If you are not changing your CPU coz Nehalem is round the corner, why are you changing your mobo when X58 is also round the corner :P

After all, Nehalem will mean a whole platform change with High-End and Performance Nehalems requiring socket change (read X58 mobo to begin with) as well DDR3 running at 1333 Mhz. It will also need three sticks of DDR3 rather than your usual two for optimum performance as Nehalem will support triple-channel memory.

Changing a platform depends on when you are going to get Nehalem. If you are planning for "as soon as it comes out" I would say think before you buy something right now. If you plan for upgrade in mid 2009, please go ahead and build a good system for yourself now.
 
Since your going to be on a x38/48 you will be able to go with a high fsb without much problems, I have seen people taking q9300 to 3.5ghz, and you dont need exorbitant cooling for that. other wise a q6600 will also clock well and you can use the left over cash for getting a 120Extreme and take that processor to 3.5ghz as well, but a q9300's 3.5ghz = 3.7ghz of q6600, you could prolly do a little more with the q9300's 7.5x, I think a x48/48 should hit 500fsb. I dont know for sure but u should come close. For a dual core go with a e8400 will easily do 4ghz on air and even more. Again get better cooling with whatever ur getting will be worth the price!

@morgoth: buddy when Nehlam comes out its gonna be hell expensive to setup with x58 and ddr3, since even crappy ddr3 is like $200 and if your getting it in India its gonna be uber expensive, So I would suggest holding on till atleast q2 09 when ddr3 /mobo's and procy become cheaper and more mainstream! But,but if you have the cash go for it!

and if your going to stick with ur procy get a better cooler!
 
morgoth said:
But the question is that If you are not changing your CPU coz Nehalem is round the corner, why are you changing your mobo when X58 is also round the corner :P

After all, Nehalem will mean a whole platform change with High-End and Performance Nehalems requiring socket change (read X58 mobo to begin with) as well DDR3 running at 1333 Mhz. It will also need three sticks of DDR3 rather than your usual two for optimum performance as Nehalem will support triple-channel memory.

Changing a platform depends on when you are going to get Nehalem. If you are planning for "as soon as it comes out" I would say think before you buy something right now. If you plan for upgrade in mid 2009, please go ahead and build a good system for yourself now.
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I never said I am not going to change my CPU because Nehalam is around the corner. :P I just said that since there is an expected price cut in the next two months, I will just till then and pickup the processor that comes in the 10~12k range. I will not upgrade to Nehelam till it becomes affordable as the current day X38 and Q9300. i.e not in the next one year at least.
 
Don't upgrade yet. Go quad later on. The Q9450 may be the chip to get when quads have a price drop. Dual core not worthy IMO because or multitasking and future proofing. Unless you're ready to spend again after 8-9 months.
 
Vandal said:
Don't upgrade yet. Go quad later on. The Q9450 may be the chip to get when quads have a price drop. Dual core not worthy IMO because or multitasking and future proofing. Unless you're ready to spend again after 8-9 months.
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dunno what happened but i guess i replied in the wrong thread..............
 
Vandal said:
Don't upgrade yet. Go quad later on. The Q9450 may be the chip to get when quads have a price drop. Dual core not worthy IMO because or multitasking and future proofing. Unless you're ready to spend again after 8-9 months.
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+1, Quite good, present cpu. If price/performance considered, not worth to upgrade.
 
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