9400 or 9550?

[cannondale06]

I think I have decided just to bite the bullet and build my own pc. I know after using a quad core that it is what I want. is the 9550 worth the extra $50 over the 9400? I know it has the 8.5 instead of the 8 x multiplier and it also has twice the cache. I will likely only do a mild overclock if at all so the better multiplier would be nice. Im on a tight budget so what is the consensus?

oh and please bear with me because I will ask many more questions.

 

[GonzoP]

Get the 9550, the extra cache alone justifies the $50. Your budget must not be that tight or you'd be looking at the E7x00's

 

[cannondale06]

Get the 9550, the extra cache alone justifies the $50. Your budget must not be that tight or you'd be looking at the E7x00's

thanks. well I had to put the limit somewhere and at first it was the 9300, then it was the 9400, now Im thinking the 9550 might be better. you know how it goes.

 

[GonzoP]

thanks. well I had to put the limit somewhere and at first it was the 9300, then it was the 9400, now Im thinking the 9550 might be better. you know how it goes.

Yes the never ending upgrade pathway. I like the 9550 is forcing yourself into a quad though, cheapest of the 12mb cache quads. Get the right stepping model and you'll be flirting with 3.8-4Ghz.

 

[cannondale06]

Yes the never ending upgrade pathway. I like the 9550 is forcing yourself into a quad though, cheapest of the 12mb cache quads. Get the right stepping model and you'll be flirting with 3.8-4Ghz.

now dont get me worrying about whether it will come with the newest stepping. I dont need any more stress. lol

shouldnt the 9550 hit 3.4 with ease? the stock speed is probably fine for now plus I like to keep things cool.

I see many people say that the stock cooler is a pain in the ass to install so I am kinda nervous about that.

 

[wildkatz84]

9550 ftw

 

[GonzoP]

now dont get me worrying about whether it will come with the newest stepping. I dont need any more stress. lol

shouldnt the 9550 hit 3.4 with ease? the stock speed is probably fine for now plus I like to keep things cool.

I see many people say that the stock cooler is a pain in the ass to install so I am kinda nervous about that.

Yeah a C1 9550 should be good for 3.6...Although I would invest $30 or so in an aftermarket cooler. The ACFreezer Pro 7 is a cheap quick and easier solution, the Xigmatek S1283 might be more up your alley if you really wanna go after 4Ghz though

 

[cannondale06]

Yeah a C1 9550 should be good for 3.6...Although I would invest $30 or so in an aftermarket cooler. The ACFreezer Pro 7 is a cheap quick and easier solution, the Xigmatek S1283 might be more up your alley if you really wanna go after 4Ghz though

so do you think I will regret getting the 9400 instead? Im right at my limit budget wise and that $50 is gonna hurt.

 

[GonzoP]

so do you think I will regret getting the 9400 instead? Im right at my limit budget wise and that $50 is gonna hurt.

Lemme understand? You do or don't currently have the Q9300 in your sig? If you already for a 9300 then yes a 9400 is not a wise move. I'd even argue against a 9550 from a 9300 if you are concerned about $$. If you are making a total system upgrade and have neither than its the classic question of the month. The same arugment exists with E8500 vs Q6600. Though thats more dual vs quad centered you're in the same which gives me the better deal scenario. If we are now questioning which quad to get maybe we should question if you even need a quad and/or why the Q6600 is not on your list

 

[cannondale06]

Lemme understand? You do or don't currently have the Q9300 in your sig? If you already for a 9300 then yes a 9400 is not a wise move. I'd even argue against a 9550 from a 9300 if you are concerned about $$. If you are making a total system upgrade and have neither than its the classic question of the month. The same arugment exists with E8500 vs Q6600. Though thats more dual vs quad centered you're in the same which gives me the better deal scenario. If we are now questioning which quad to get maybe we should question if you even need a quad and/or why the Q6600 is not on your list

the rig sig is a Dell pc that I will be returning because of issues with it so sorry for the confusion.

the questions I am asking now are about building my own.

 

[GonzoP]

the rig sig is a Dell pc that I will be returning because of issues with it so sorry for the confusion.

the questions I am asking now are about building my own.

I see. Then you best cruise over to the GenHardware forum and find the Danny Bui questions and answer them. Super knowledge and helpful guys over there will get you fitted rightly for your budget which you need to decide on overall. There's a big difference just between a $600 build and a $800. Let alone $800 and $1000

 

[cannondale06]

I see. Then you best cruise over to the GenHardware forum and find the Danny Bui questions and answer them. Super knowledge and helpful guys over there will get you fitted rightly for your budget which you need to decide on overall. There's a big difference just between a $600 build and a $800. Let alone $800 and $1000

well I was checking out at newegg and from the time I added my case and power supply they sold out of the power supplies. it was a combo deal that ends tomorrow so I guess there goes the whole damn deal for now.

 

[Sojuuk]

why is a Q6600 not being considered?

is the ~$130 more for a q9550 justified in the performance gain? (assuming an equal overclock of 3.6 which not all q66 can do)

 

[cannondale06]

why is a Q6600 not being considered?

is the ~$130 more for a q9550 justified in the performance gain? (assuming an equal overclock of 3.6 which not all q66 can do)

well the the 9550 uses less power, is faster at stock speeds and comes with Far Cry 2.

 

[GonzoP]

well the the 9550 uses less power, is faster at stock speeds and comes with Far Cry 2.

But it sounded like your budget was more of a concern than a free FC2?

Seriously, cruise to GenHard and figure out the default questions, mainly budget and usage

 

[cannondale06]

But it sounded like your budget was more of a concern than a free FC2?

Seriously, cruise to GenHard and figure out the default questions, mainly budget and usage

well $50 isnt a problem if I will actually see benefits from it. I just didnt want to waste $50 for no real performance gain.

I will more than likely get the Q9550 so thanks for everbodys input.

now I have got to figure out what to do since newegg sold out of the power supply that was in my Antec case combo.

 

[GonzoP]

well $50 isnt a problem if I will actually see benefits from it. I just didnt want to waste $50 for no real performance gain.

I will more than likely get the Q9550 so thanks for everbodys input.

now I have got to figure out what to do since newegg sold out of the power supply that was in my Antec case combo.

No there is a very tangible gain going from 6mg to 12mb of cache. Just look at the difference between the 2 or 3mb cpus and the E8x00's.

Deals come and deals go; if you can wait a week a new deal will emerge

 

[cannondale06]

No there is a very tangible gain going from 6mg to 12mb of cache. Just look at the difference between the 2 or 3mb cpus and the E8x00's.

Deals come and deals go; if you can wait a week a new deal will emerge

I know but Im pissed because i was trying to check out with the combo deal that had been in my cart for a few minutes. the case and psu were exactly what i needed and now that deal is shot. I let them know(in a nice way) how I felt about having my build plans screwed up.

 

[GonzoP]

I know but Im pissed because i was trying to check out with the combo deal that had been in my cart for a few minutes. the case and psu were exactly what i needed and now that deal is shot. I let them know(in a nice way) how I felt about having my build plans screwed up.

Sorry bud it happens. How much was the combo savings compared to now with the deal dead?

 

[cannondale06]

Sorry bud it happens. How much was the combo savings compared to now with the deal dead?

well the deal was 84 bucks for the three hundred case and earthwatts 500watt psu. now I dont know whether to risk the case going out of stock while its still on sale with free shipping or not. my luck if I ordr the case now then they will get the power supplies in tomorrow which is the last day for the combo deal. of course they could be really nice and send me a 25 gift certificate. lol

 

[GonzoP]

well the deal was 84 bucks for the three hundred case and earthwatts 500watt psu. now I dont know whether to risk the case going out of stock while its still on sale with free shipping or not. my luck if I ordr the case now then they will get the power supplies in tomorrow which is the last day for the combo deal. of course they could be really nice and send me a 25 gift certificate. lol

Yeah newegg is weird like that. The G.Skill $49 deal for 4gb of ddr2-800 was in place for a month and for like 36 hours they took it away and it went to $59 and no free shipping. But then boom its back again. So you just kinda gotta keep looking for your deal or search for another or spend the extra for what you planned

 

[SonDa5]

Q9550 with E0 stepping is the way to go.

 

[GonzoP]

Q9550 with E0 stepping is the way to go.

And there in lies the problem there is no 100% guarantee that any vendor as yet has only E0's. All the bug boys still carry plenty of old C1's

 

[tmaven]

i have E0 stepping for month now..
now im bored.. => overclocking => OCCT running 69°C (NH-C12P) => 3740MHz


edit: vcore 1,30V but i still decrease it in bios

 

[GonzoP]

i have E0 stepping for month now..
now im bored.. => overclocking => OCCT running 69°C (NH-C12P) => 3740MHz


edit: vcore 1,30V but i still decrease it in bios

Change your sig then. If you can get 3.7Ghz with 1.3v you're a perfect 4Ghz candidate