New processor help

X

xevious

Weaksauce
Joined
Feb 11, 2008
Messages
91
I want to buy a new processor for my aging machine. I was looking at quad core intels such as the q9550 9400 and 8300.
Any other in the $200 would be applicable as well.

I know that the new i5 just came out but would the benefit of their power be worth getting a new mobo of at least $150 and a cpu such as the i5 750 for $200 instead of just a new cpu for $200

I currently have a e6400 (conroe) at 2.6 and 4gb ram at 800
 
xevious said:
I
I know that the new i5 just came out but would the benefit of their power be worth getting a new mobo of at least $150 and a cpu such as the i5 750 for $200 instead of just a new cpu for $200
Click to expand...
Wow, a bit grammatically off there.

Anyway I'm guessing you're trying to ask whether or not a $200 socket 775 upgrade would be worth it over a $350 i5 750 + new mobo upgrade? If so, it depends. What exactly are you trying to accomplish with this upgrade?
 
That's exact;y what i meant. The system is used for slight video editing and some gaming but mostly for multitasking. So itunes, 3 folders of pics open, some editing software, some virus scan, 4 browsers with at least 30 tabs open, etc.

I just need it to handle everyday things.
 
xevious said:
That's exact;y what i meant. The system is used for slight video editing and some gaming but mostly for multitasking. So itunes, 3 folders of pics open, some editing software, some virus scan, 4 browsers with at least 30 tabs open, etc.

I just need it to handle everyday things.
Click to expand...


IMO, if you are going to upgrade, the i5s a better fit. The legs are alot longer, and the additional cost, minimal.
 
xevious said:
That's exact;y what i meant. The system is used for slight video editing and some gaming but mostly for multitasking. So itunes, 3 folders of pics open, some editing software, some virus scan, 4 browsers with at least 30 tabs open, etc.

I just need it to handle everyday things.
Click to expand...

Well if you can find the Q6600 for $130 or Q8200 for $150, I'd recommend getting those CPUs instead. Any more than $150 for a C2Q seems a bit high and not worth it IMO
 
Danny Bui said:
Well if you can find the Q6600 for $130 or Q8200 for $150, I'd recommend getting those CPUs instead. Any more than $150 for a C2Q seems a bit high and not worth it IMO
Click to expand...

That's what I'm currently leaning towards. But i think that a q8300 or q8400 would be better since they support VT. or even the q9400 if the l2 cache jump is worth it.
 
xevious said:
That's what I'm currently leaning towards. But i think that a q8300 or q8400 would be better since they support VT. or even the q9400 if the l2 cache jump is worth it.
Click to expand...
The Q6600 does support VT-x, but the Q8300 and Q8400 would be better choices than the Q8200 if you do plan on using virtual machines. Also note that there is an older version of the Q8300 that does not have VT-x.
 
Be careful on the stepping of the Q8300. Make sure you get the one that supports VT.
 
Aww, there aren't any near me.

Since only 1 version of the q8300 has vt support so it's probably safer to go for the q8400. newegg has the q9400 for only $20 more than the q8400, so is the extra 2mb of L2 cache worth $20?

also since these processors run at 1333 fsb, should i get ram at 1066, or would 800 variety be fine?
 
Last edited:
xevious said:
Since only 1 version of the q8300 has vt support so it's probably safer to go for the q8400. newegg has the q9400 for only $20 more than the q8400, so is the extra 2mb of L2 cache worth $20?

also since these processors run at 1066 fsb, should i get ram at 1066 as well, or would 800 variety be fine?
Click to expand...
I don't think the extra cache is worth it personally. In most situations you won't see a difference. It's up to you though; I suggest you do some research and look up some benchmarks.

As for the FSB and RAM thing, the RAM speed you need is actually half the FSB, so you only need DDR2-533. However, if you plan on overclocking, I recommend at least DDR2-1000.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top