processor for new build?

[stainremover]

i'm getting a new build before school starts. all i'm missing is a chip, don't know what to go with. my budget is about ~180 for the proc. i'm thinking either q6600 or e8400 but any suggestions much appreciated.

current part list:
asrock x38turbotwins-wifi
2x1gb ddr2 1066
2x3870
will run 4 drives in a raid5 through my ich9r

gaming is light (the 3870s are for excessiveness). i mostly use my computer for labs - e.g. 1gb of data loaded into memory at once for processing. i like to multitask. i spend a lot of time waiting with simulations in the background, so i'll surf the web or go torrent stuff, things like that.

 

[Mithent]

Lots of multitasking and data crunching sounds like quad-core territory to me, and the Q6600 is the best value there. Are you planning to overclock? The Q6600 overclocks very well if you have a half-decent aftermarket cooler; 3GHz is trivial and many get to 3.6GHz.

 

[-(Xyphox)-]

Lots of multitasking and data crunching sounds like quad-core territory to me, and the Q6600 is the best value there. Are you planning to overclock? The Q6600 overclocks very well if you have a half-decent aftermarket cooler; 3GHz is trivial and many get to 3.6GHz.

I can get 3.2 easily with mine, i have not tried to go higher. I have the Tuniq Tower and keeps it very cool. I am sure my cast with 3 120m fan's blowing on the mobo train does not hurt either

 

[vortican]

E3110 + more ram.

 

[stainremover]

E3110 + more ram.

the $180 is just for chip. i plan to get more ram down the line.

 

[Zero82z]

For the kinds of tasks you're doing, a quad would be right up your alley. I doubt you'd be able to run heavy simulations at the same time as general-purpose usage with a dual-core, even a fast one.

Also, a few comments about the rest of the build. Regarding the video cards, I suggest you go with a single 4850 instead of the two 3870s and save yourself a couple of bucks, since a single 4850 is around the same speed (unless you're buying the second card for folding, in which case the two 3870s would probably do better). Also, it would be a good idea to go with a cheaper P45 board instead of that ASRock X38, since you would save another few bucks and you'd probably get better overclocking out of it as well.

 

[silentcoercion]

Listen to that guy ^^^^

Basically, just, yes.

 

[stainremover]

For the kinds of tasks you're doing, a quad would be right up your alley. I doubt you'd be able to run heavy simulations at the same time as general-purpose usage with a dual-core, even a fast one.

Also, a few comments about the rest of the build. Regarding the video cards, I suggest you go with a single 4850 instead of the two 3870s and save yourself a couple of bucks, since a single 4850 is around the same speed (unless you're buying the second card for folding, in which case the two 3870s would probably do better). Also, it would be a good idea to go with a cheaper P45 board instead of that ASRock X38, since you would save another few bucks and you'd probably get better overclocking out of it as well.

i got the asrock board for $95 from a fellow off the forums. i'll take your suggestion on the 4850. probably a good point. any recommendations on one with a good cooler? i hear the stock one is balls.

 

[Zero82z]

The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is the best bang-for-buck cooler. It can generally be found for $30-40, and sometimes less if there's a rebate going on.

 

[needmorecarnitine]

sorry

 

[Marcdaddy]

Get the Q6600, my 1 year old son overclocked to 3.2Ghz for me on accident and its bullit proof.

 

[stainremover]

i hope i can get those kind of results without the 1 year old -_-

 

[Koslov]

If you've got the money the Q9550 is uber sexy but no way best bang for your buck eheh
a used Q6600 is hard to beat for performance vs. price