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I need help upgrading my CPU...

M

motolube

Gawd
Joined
Dec 18, 2006
Messages
1,002
Guys, I feel is time I upgrade my tired E6300 but I really have no idea what to get, I also know that I don't want to break the bank while doing it.

My Specs:

Windows XP Pro W/SP3 32Bit... I still don't feel like going to Vista but perhaps in the future so I want to keep that in mind for my CPU purchase.

Acer 22" W/S LCD Monitor
EVGA 680i SLI Mobo
E6300 @ 2.8Ghz w/Artic Cooler 7 Pro
ECS 8800GT W/passive Accelero S1 @ 700/1744/1000
OCZ 2GB 1066mhz Ram
Samsung 700GB HDD

This is basically my Gaming Rig, I only do FPS games and not for MP play at all. Std e-mail checking and internet Browsing but that's about it.

Right now, when the rig is loaded with a game (1680x1050 res), the 2 cores can easily get to + 60c and then, the mouse starts to stutter and move erratically, hence, the need to upgrade to something that can handle the games and maintain a lower temp.

From what I have been able to read, the Q6600 is one of the choices I can go with but then, there is the E8400.

I know you guys are fanatics of O/C'ng and all that, I am not all that crazy about it and I only did it to the E6300 in order to hold the upgrade a little longer.

Knowing this, what would you recommend I look for? 200 bucks is the max I am looking to spend here so let's get the best bang for the buck (hopefully ;)).

Thanks
 
If the CPU is thermal throttling then I would suggest a better cooler.... see sig
 
i wouldnt upgrade your cpu but rather your graphics card to something like the 9800gtx+/4850 but if you're going to go cpu then you really cant go wrong with either q6600 or e8400 so get whatever is cheapest
 
With those temps, I'd get a better cooler, and or improve airflow in your case.

For gaming, An e8400 would be pretty good for the short run, the quad core will be better in the long run.
 
I just ordered an E3110 because of similar problems. I have the same cooler and my E6300 ran at 2.8 for many months. When warmer weather hit, it started going up over 60C and locking up. I set it back down to stock for a while and the problem went away. I had one particular game that was extremely sensitive to the problem, such that if it wasn't clocked at stock and keeping temps low, I couldn't play it. Right now, it's running at 2.45 with the same cooler. I'm hoping the less power from the E3110 at stock will provide the same results with less heat, plus I ordered more fans to boot and am looking at a Xigmatek S1283. Low heat and stability are my priorities at this point and if it works out, I won't mind the performance boost either. I have similar specs (same video, 650i, 2GB DDR800) so I'll post back when I get the CPU and give it a try.
 
OK, so say I take the option of changing my CPU cooler (cheapest upgrade anyways ;)) and since I can play pretty much all the games at good FPS's with High Res, I see no reason to change my new 8800GT card just yet. Anyways, here are the questions:

1.- Which one is the best cooler for the E6300?

2.- Would that same cooler work on the Q6600 or E8400 in case I decide to spurge hugely and update both?
 
is the xigmatek alot better than the arctic cooling freezer 7 pro? i only ask because i thought that was a good bang/buck hsf since itshalf the price
 
onedestinazn2 said:
is the xigmatek alot better than the arctic cooling freezer 7 pro? i only ask because i thought that was a good bang/buck hsf since itshalf the price
Click to expand...

Yup, the Xigmatek is way better than the AC7 Pro.
 
Where can I see some comparisons between the two of them?

Also, even if I have overclocked my E6300 from 1.86 to 2.8Ghz, is it normal to see temps between 43c to 47c while the pc is Idle?

I forgot to mention this... my case is an Ultra Aluminus and I have 2 120mm fans. I also have a thermaltake 600w psu that has a 120mm fan IIRC so I don't think the case is what's causing the high temps.

My room is at about 75F all the time.

Thanks for putting up with me folks.
 
FYI, I received the E3110 today (newegg shipped insane fast: ordered at 8:09am yesterday and got home at 5pm today, there it was) and installed after somewhat of a fight. My Freezer didn't want to be unmounted and reinstalled and I managed to break off two of the clear plastic phalanges that allow the pushpins to hold onto the MB. They wouldn't go into the MB holes, spread out instead of compressing, and eventually broke off. The Freezer is now useless. I tried to install the stock cooler but that failed as well. DAMN the pushpins. DAMN them. I finally installed the stock cooler that came with the E6300 and that worked after a nice cut on my hand.

Right now it is idling at 39C in a room at about 23C. I had it running at about 55C under load with Prime95, Orthos, and OCCT running simultaneously. The difference is noticeable for basic tasks, so I'm confident that games would be no different and once I get the Xigmatek, I expect temps to drop a little to allow a decent overclock. I also haven't installed the fans I ordered (because they have not arrived even though I ordered them Friday from another vendor; should be here tomorrow) so I'm hoping airflow will improve.

So far I am satisfied with the purchase, since it was practically free (sold some shit on egay) and I'll sell the E6300. I will definitely go for the retention bracket with the Xigmatek: the pain thanks to the pushpins just isn't worth it. I'd rather take apart the damn thing.

FYI, my E6300 routinely idled at 50-53C in the same room, although it gets hotter during the day and under load, went up to 58-60C at 2.45.
 
Oh, I'd forgot to ask... is there a big difference between the 120mm fans that you use for the cases? Are some more potent than others? Is it worth upgrading that as well? if so, what you guys normally use.

What I got now are some I picked up from Comp USA when they were going out of business that came with a blue LED light as well... can't remember the name though but I do remember they were a brand I was easily recognized

@ vortican... so, what you're saying is that the temps I am running while loaded are not bad? Also, I just played GRAW 2 for a few.hours last night and I didn't have any problems. I am thinking that the other game is the culprit and not really my rig.
 
I agree with Danny, those temps are to be expected with that CPU and the ambient temp. I was not comfortable with me E6300 running at 60+C ever, even with the freezer, and that's really what motivated me to go for a new CPU.

I've changed my mind and think I will go with a Zerotherm NV120 now since the Xigmatek + rentention bracket costs over $11 to ship. The Zerotherm is available for $49.99 + free ship right now and it's a very good cooler. I did install 3 Thunderblades last night and no noticeable difference in temps, still idling around 40-43C at 75F ambient temp. The Thunderblades did not like being installed as intake fans and attacked me whilst making a nice whirring sound, so they are all exhaust fans.

Here's the link: http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=CA-A1926&c=fr&pid=7a08876cd2e3c2c295cce21fe3503e9cc506c7c01558c3787e95ab3a400325d0

You have to search on froogle to find them at this price; in the category search they are 6.12 or something. I got 3 shipped for $21.73. They are louder than the stock fans but the noise doesn't bother me personally. I doubt you'd hear anything if you only had 1 of them installed and they are definitely powerful.
 
Well, now that you guys tell me that my temps are ok, I don't know if I can justify getting a new CPU since there is no game ATM that I can't play. sure, some of the older console to port games don't play well but I can't blame my rig for their lack of coding or unoptimization since other fps games do play very well.

I am happy with my Ultra aluminus case but I am going to see if I can just add another 120mm fan to help exhausting hot air out of it.

Thanks for the link vortican, 10 bucks is not out of my reach to do some testing with a third fan ;)
 
As Danny said, your temps are about right with that cooler. Mine sits in the mid late 30s, with a better cooler. These are hot running chips, and you aren't really going to see anything ultra cool like the 45nm chips.

A new cooler like the Xigmatek will do you good, I don't think that your processor needs an upgrade yet.
 
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