Those who upgraded from single-core A64 to C2D/C2Q: real-world performance gains?

J

Jimmy the Greek

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Aug 20, 2002
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I'm thinking about scrapping my A64 4000+ and 2GB DDR 400 for an E6600/Q6600 + 2GB DDR2 800.

I've looked at plenty of benchmarks comparing the two. While there's a huge difference at 800x600, the processors are practically even as they approach the higher resolutions. I don't plan to run it on a 47" Dell 1440p monitor, though. Just a 1280x1024 LCD.

At this resolution, how much of a step-up should I expect in HL2: Episode 1, F.E.A.R., Quake 4, etc? Is a 5% increase in framerates reasonable?
 
You should get a lower end C2d like a 43/63/64/6600 and overclock.
 
Going from an Athlon X2 @ 2.6 to a conroe at 3.5 reduced my 7zip encoding time by over 60%. ;)

I compress huge files on a daily basis... Totally worth it to me.

DivX encoding is super-fast too...

Gaming? Eh... Getting a GTS was better for my gaming nights.
 
Went from a 3500+ (2.5ghz) single core to C2D e4300 (at 3ghz)
Can't tell you exact fps numbers or whatever you are looking for.
(i also don't really game... only play Second Life)
I can do alot more faster than I was able to so I find it a really good upgrade, don't know if just getting an opty would have been the same/better... but dun really care at this point, since i like what i have.
 
ShinaKitsune said:
Went from a 3500+ (2.5ghz) single core to C2D e4300 (at 3ghz)
Can't tell you exact fps numbers or whatever you are looking for.
(i also don't really game... only play Second Life)
I can do alot more faster than I was able to so I find it a really good upgrade, don't know if just getting an opty would have been the same/better... but dun really care at this point, since i like what i have.
Click to expand...

Similar to me, I got from 3000+ @ 2.5 to E4300 @ 3.4 (my sig is old) and it felt significally faster and 3DMark05 jumped close to 3000 points, with the same video card, not even oced compared to the last run with a oced one.
 
Reading some other threads, I surmise that it's only significantly better than A64 if you OC...

Is the Q6600 significantly less overclockable than the E6600?

Assuming I get a good stepping, how much of an OC can I realistically expect from each with 2GB Buffalo Firestix and a Zalman CNPS7000B-ALCU?
 
I today upgraded from my sig to this

C2D E6600 (not overclocked yet)
2 Gigs OCZ PC6400
Asus P5NE SLI
PNY 8800 GTX (not installed yet) I'm waiting for my OCZ 700W PSU to be delivered monday.

Granted this is a new XP SP2 install, but this system seems faster than the old.

I will be installing GRAW and Q4 tomorrow.

ZMAN
 
This will be a "mixed bag" if you will. I went from an FX57, and a A64 3000+ (both chips overclocked) and while gaming was better, and multitasking was better, boot up times were dramatically slower, and sometimes the PC just doesnt feel as smooth as it did with the AMD chips. Overall, i happy as when I want to game, there is nothing better.
 
Went from a 3.2GHz Prescott (close to, maybe slightly better real-world performance, than a 3200+), to a 1.86GHz E6300. Overclocked it to a cool 2.8GHz, with zero voltage or heat increases. Night-and-day difference. Everything runs faster. Do it. You're going to have to upgrade to DDR2 sooner or later (even if you are going to stick around for K10), so you might as well enjoy the best until then.
 
Once you go multi core, you will never go back to single core. Ever.
 
It was faster for me. I went from a Sempron 2800+ to C2D E6300, both at stock speed.

IMO you should get the 4300 if you are planning to overclock, or the 6600 if not.
 
i went from a x2 3800 (s939) @ 2800 to a c2d 6600 @ 3600 and the difference is obvious in everything. but this could be because of the big jump in clock speed, fsb and ddr2 ram. i am not sure if i ram an x2 @ 3600 lf else the same if the c2d would be a more powerful system. there is the problem of getting an x2 to 3600, of course.
 
ShinaKitsune said:
Went from a 3500+ (2.5ghz) single core to C2D e4300 (at 3ghz)
Can't tell you exact fps numbers or whatever you are looking for.
(i also don't really game... only play Second Life)
I can do alot more faster than I was able to so I find it a really good upgrade, don't know if just getting an opty would have been the same/better... but dun really care at this point, since i like what i have.
Click to expand...

Xilikon said:
Similar to me, I got from 3000+ @ 2.5 to E4300 @ 3.4 (my sig is old) and it felt significally faster and 3DMark05 jumped close to 3000 points, with the same video card, not even oced compared to the last run with a oced one.
Click to expand...

Ditto here also. Went from a 3500+ @ 2.8Ghz to an E4300 @ 3Ghz and i couldn't be happier. I can't say anything about gaming/benchmarking tho as that went from an AGP 6600GT to a PCI-E X1950Pro.
 
when you guys say "everything is faster" what exactly do you mean? starting up? every day apps? gaming? ect
 
Anyone have any experiences with Quake 4, the most multi-threaded game available?

On my single core, it starts to chug when 2+ enemies are on-screen, or whenever you walk outdoors. How does the Conroe hold up in these scenarios with a G80 card?
 
Jimmy the Greek said:
Reading some other threads, I surmise that it's only significantly better than A64 if you OC...

Is the Q6600 significantly less overclockable than the E6600?

Assuming I get a good stepping, how much of an OC can I realistically expect from each with 2GB Buffalo Firestix and a Zalman CNPS7000B-ALCU?
Click to expand...

e6600,ASUS P5N-E SLI,arcticcooling Freezer 7 Pro,PCP&C 510SLI: stock voltages, 3.2GHz, have not attempted to go higher, no need. runs 39C in full 3D with 7900GTX in SLI.
Corsair XMS PC6400C4 @ 800 hz.
Very quick and smooth. Loads like " BAM ". upgraded from an FX-57 which ran fast, but not this fast.:D
 
Jimmy the Greek said:
Anyone have any experiences with Quake 4, the most multi-threaded game available?

On my single core, it starts to chug when 2+ enemies are on-screen, or whenever you walk outdoors. How does the Conroe hold up in these scenarios with a G80 card?
Click to expand...

It laughs in the face of Quake 4. The graphic is jaw dropping.
I'm currently playing GRAW on my comp which is in my sig and it is just amazing. (the system I quoted above is my son's). GRAW would chug my FX-57 a bit, now its flat out beautiful.
Q4 never slowed on my FX-57 system,though,either. But on my new build its just that much better.
Gaming will benefit from the processor, but at this point in time, the 8800 series graphics card or cards will probably give you the most bang for the buck. Some people feel that a faster, multicore CPU is necessary for the full octane benefit of the 8800s though.
 
I have a C2D E6600 @ 3.7GHz on Air. Amazing Chip.

You can notice a difference even at default 2.4GHz. It is an amazing architecture, espically if you are heavy into multimedia.
 
I went from an Athlon 64 3800+ to a C2D E4300 @ 2.88 GHz and I experienced a pretty significant performance increase @ 1280x1024. You will be able to max out all your settings without giving up any fps, and in some cases you will gain fps.
 
Jimmy the Greek said:
Anyone have any experiences with Quake 4, the most multi-threaded game available?

On my single core, it starts to chug when 2+ enemies are on-screen, or whenever you walk outdoors. How does the Conroe hold up in these scenarios with a G80 card?
Click to expand...

I just upgraded from my sig specs to a C2D E6600/Asus P5N E SLI/ 2 gigs of ram. I could barely get 20 FPS @ 1024 x 768with my X2 4600 (I tried most everything, I can't explain why it was unplayable). With My C2D E6600 rig, I played online tonight and didn't see it dip below 45-50 FPS @ 16 x 12 Ultra quality. Smoothe as silk. No jerkiness what so ever. That is with a 7800 GT video card. Tomorrow my new OCZ 700W PSU gets here, and I have an 8800GTX sitting on the table begging to be installed.

I have run AMD since the K6-166 days, only other intel I have had was a Celeron 300A, and a P3 650 flip chip. I cant argue with the gains I have received with my new system.

ZMAN
 
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