Best bang for my buck socket 775?

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Whipsmack

Gawd
Joined
Oct 17, 2005
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675
I have GA-965P-DS3 (rev 3.3) motherboard
I currently have a core 2 E4300 that has proven to run too slow for some CPU intense games.

Here is the research i've done on ebay sold listings for quad core CPU's. Is there anything that really sets one apart or should I get go for the cheaper ones? I still don't quite understand if quad core means 2.4GHZ x 4, or if it's just some sales tactic. (Ya i'm that tech dumb), would I be better off with a dual core if i'm just using the computer for casual gaming?

EBAY PRICES (COMPLETED LISTINGS LAST 30 DAYS)
QUAD
8200 2.33GHZ 4MB L2 $62.00 - $70.00
8300 2.5Ghz 4MB L2$60 - $95
8400 2.66Ghz 4MB L2 $63 - $90
9300 2.5Ghz 6MB L2 $70-90
9400 2.66Ghz 6MB L2 $76-$85
9450 2.66Ghz 12MB L2 $100 - $115
9550 2.83Ghz 12MB L2 $115 - $135
9650 3.0Ghz 12MB L2 $185 - $230

Q6600 $60-$80
Q6700 $80-$95

DUAL CORE

E6850 3.0GHZ 4MB L2 DUAL 65nm $29-$40
E8300 2.83GHZ 6MB L2 DUAL 45nm - $45-$60
E8400 3.0GHZ 6MB DUAL 45nm - $40-$80
E8500 3.16GHZ 6MB DUAL 45nm - $50-60
E8600 3.33GHZ 6MB DUAL 45nm - $65-90

Here is a list of supported CPU's for my mobo

http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=2456

For those that say I need to scrap my computer well, I say my computer is serving me well and will continue to this GA-965P-DS3 (rev 3.3) motherboard has proven to be a great upgrade board. I have since upgraded to a PCI E 3.0 video card GTX 650, and now have the option to go to quad core. Which is pretty damn awesome for 2006 tech.

Thanks so much for helping a technology noob!
 
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I still like the Q9550 as my "best" 775 CPU. For the $50 extra for the Q9650, you only gain a 6% (stock) performance increase for a 37% increase in cost. I don't game and I don't overclock my CPUs, but I tend to have a lot of programs and VMs running. I feel my only limitation was RAM. Frankly, the main reason I moved away from 775 was because I needed more RAM and it didn't make sense to buy more expensive DDR2 RAM. DDR3 was half the price, and even less, now. Otherwise I think the Q9550 would still be my main machine.

Good luck!
Mike
 
What's the max FSB you can get? That will determine the OC the 9550 will get. If you feel comfortable overclocking, your $135 should keep you very happy for the foreseeable future. (The other option is a Q6600 but the Q9550 is Better if your board can handle the OC).
 
Relativist said:
What's the max FSB you can get? That will determine the OC the 9550 will get. If you feel comfortable overclocking, your $135 should keep you very happy for the foreseeable future. (The other option is a Q6600 but the Q9550 is Better if your board can handle the OC).
Click to expand...
max FSB on this board is 1333
 
So, if that's really the limit, then the q6600 with its 9 multiplier would run at 3GHz on 1333 FSB. Not much faster than stock q9550. Any chance you can up the FSB the chip sees in your board with possibly a fractional strap to memory?
 
My brain just is not that technologically advanced. I mean I understand everything except how to up the FSB chip with fractional strap.

You make a good point, with a simple over clock I could get the q6600 for around $60-$80 on ebay.

I am almost thinking of a dual core E6850 3.0Ghz, they have pretty much bottomed out on value $30-$40 on ebay! Heck I could sell my E4300 for probably $15, I would have a very cheap upgrade. I would think E6850 would still be great for gaming today.
 
I did some more research on Dual Core Ebay prices. These are from completed listings in the last month.

Q6600 $60-$80
Q6700 $80-$95
E6850 3.0GHZ 4MB L2 DUAL 65nm $29-$40
E8300 2.83GHZ 6MB L2 DUAL 45nm - $45-$60
E8400 3.0GHZ 6MB DUAL 45nm - $40-$80
E8500 3.16GHZ 6MB DUAL 45nm - $50-60
E8600 3.33GHZ 6MB DUAL 45nm - $65-90
 
What games is this for?

I'd get the Q6600 over those dual cores. Just plan on oc'ing.
 
planetside 2, I know i'll get flamed for that one, because even top end computers can't run it well. I just know optimization is on the way and someday i hope I can play it on low settings.
 
update your bios to F14 if you want to use a 45nm quad core with that board.
otherwise get the c2q Q6600 and a good air cooler then overclock it [H]ard
 
go for the 9550, i still run my 9550 at 4.2ghz for many years now in one of my older rigs.
 
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