best CPU upgrade for an LGA775 socket from my E5200

J

jonicarter

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I'm looking to upgrade my CPU and don't want to upgrade my MOBO and RAM just yet, so I'm wondering what my best option would be.

I've OC'ed my E5200, but it craps out at 3ghz even with all of the usual voltage & timing tweaks.

I don't want to spend a ton of cash, but I'd be OK spending the $160 for a Q8400 if it will make a really big difference. The PC is used for gaming primarily, but also some Photoshop and Autocad. I've got 4GB of DDR2 currently installed, am running Windows 7 x64, and currently have an Nvidia GTS 250 GPU, and a Corsair 450VX PSU.
 
If you live near microcenter, you can get a Q9550 for $150. That would be the best option.
 
Or if you do not have a micro center around you can get a Q9550 used for around the same price.
 
I have a Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L. I just went ahead and ordered the Q8400 CPU since I don't have a microcenter around me that has the Q9550 in stock.
 
The quad-core you ordered is definitely a better chip than the E5200...moving to a quad core 775 is cheap right now and will give really good performance for the money spent...
 
for the time being, 775 is good enough ... the new stuff is like having an formula 1 car in the city...the performance gain between the formula 1 in the city and your audi a6 is that the formula 1 car will get to the next lights 3 seconds faster than you.

so basically people having a q9550 as of now dont have to worry about upgrading for maybe another 1 or 2 yrs.

i'm on an e8400 and am cool with it still...if i upgrade i will be getting a q9550 ... and a new vidcard...
 
ya after realizing the computer that is worth 1500 bucks of my money is still over a year away, so i got a q9550 and overclocked it to 4ghz :)
 
how much you get that Q8400 for? I would have gone for the Q6600!! you can find those used for about $90-$120 easy. I still say get the Q6600 and return that Q8400
 
Nice choice on the 'budget' quad since you don't have a MicroCenter near you. My vote would've been for the Q9550! I plan on holding onto mine for a long long loooong time and I have yet to unlock its true potential (still running on stock speeds).
 
which microcenters are you finding the Q9550 for $150? Cause no matter which store I look at, none of the stores have any in stock. Hell, I can't even find it by name search or SKU search.
 
MicroCenter had a sale on remaining Q9550s for $150 a few weeks back. I picked one up at that time. I think they are sold out now.
 
Daemas said:
which microcenters are you finding the Q9550 for $150? Cause no matter which store I look at, none of the stores have any in stock. Hell, I can't even find it by name search or SKU search.
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Exactly

I see people still recommending it saying that its at MC for $150. That was a while back, only 2 or 3 stores had stock and they are gone now
 
GA-G31M-ES2L

Two things come to mind.

1) make sure you have the latest bios so you can be sure the new cpu is supported.
F9 or better for version 1.x boards FC or better for version 2.x boards
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2889#

2) That is a "lite" version MB. You have only 3 phase CPU voltage regulator circuit and no heatsink for the MosFETS. If you have replaced the downwards blowing stock Intel heatsink I strongly suggest placing a fan so that it will wash air over the components around the cpu socket if you intend to OC. The area between the socket and the rear I/0 panel and the area between the socket and the top of the board are where you want extra airflow (basically shoot air at those 3 gray/black cubes near the cpu socket, they are inductors but the caps and mosfets you need to keep cool are right next to them)
 
Im wqhere u are atm Im running a E8600@4+ghz but im thinkin about just stepping up more megs of ram 4gb instead of 2gb atm. running a quad core and maybe a new 480gtx or just run dual 285gtx's currently running single evga gtx285. everything is water cooled. Idk much about the Q9950's but do they Overclock over 4ghz?
 
jonicarter said:
I have a Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L. I just went ahead and ordered the Q8400 CPU since I don't have a microcenter around me that has the Q9550 in stock.
Click to expand...

Just how much did you pay for the Q8400? If you paid more than about $120 for it, you paid a little too much. But Newegg charges $170 for that CPU, which makes it a poor value especially since the 8000-series Quads have only 4MB of L2 cache versus 6MB or 12MB for the 9000-series Quads.

So, if you don't live anywhere near a MicroCenter, you most likely paid way too much for that CPU.
 
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