Sell the Q9450 or swap it in?

T

truffle00

2[H]4U
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Thanks to some help I got on the [H], I realized that I was doing a poor job trying to overclock my Q6600. It turns out it wasn't stuck at stock and I now have it running at 3.33 GHz without a problem. I have not bothered to try to go higher yet.

The thing is, while I thought the problem was the Q6600, I bought a Q9450 as part of a combo deal from Fry's. I have since given away the motherboard so I couldn't return the processor to them by itself.

Basically, I have a Q6600 at a guaranteed 3.33 GHz, and probably with some headroom left given how I just set it at this speed and it worked right away with no problems. I also have a Q9450 sitting unopened in its box. I am migrating my current build to a new case within the next week so that's a perfect time to swap processors, given that I no longer get any pleasure out of taking apart and reassembling computers.

Should I bother even trying the Q9450 or should I just sell it? I am on an IP35 Pro and don't know how high the FSB goes. I know the 9450 will be a little cooler and probably a little faster, but is it worth it if my main power use is gaming at 1920x1200?

Also, hassle aside, do NIB processors sell for more than used ones? If it won't get me any more by selling it unopened, maybe I should try overclocking the 9450.
 
Meh, personal preference.. whichever you choose to keep, its a good decision. Either way you win.
 
Well, I'm out the money for the Q9450 and the Q9450 would resell for a higher price than the Q6600.
 
Well, with all things considered maybe you should just sell the processor and wait for nehalem or AM3/G45 or whatever it's called since you are comfortable with your current rig.
 
If you're already out the money, I'd keep it and sell the Q6600.

Unless you're upgrading to Nehalem within the next year. In that case the extra ~100 you might get selling the Q9450 would be worth it to you. But again, you're already out the money.
 
I replaced one of my Q6600's with a Q9450..also on an IP-35...The Q9450 does 3.6 with much less heat and voltage than the Q6000 needed.....
I say keep it and use it..3.6 is really easy with a Q9450..Hell, I got 3.4 on stock volts and only needed .2 more for 3.6 24/7 stable....
 
So you didn't have any problems getting to 450 FSB? What was the general consensus on IP35 Pro FSB limits?
 
truffle00 said:
So you didn't have any problems getting to 450 FSB? What was the general consensus on IP35 Pro FSB limits?
Click to expand...
450 to 475 is not uncommon, seen a few 500's in the forums. You'll need to bump up MCH voltage to reach these FSB speeds.

HB
 
Keep the q9450, cooler temps and better performance. Its a win win situation.
 
If you game at 1920x1200, you're approaching being CPU bound @ 3.33.

So my advice is sell the Q9450 and keep the Q6600. The question you have to ask yourself is $300 (approx selling price of Q9450) worth 5-12 more FPS... This is a generalization and game dependant, but in a nutshell that is what should guide your decision. Again, assuming you game at 1920x1200.

IMO put that $300 away as in a year we should have affordable Nehalms(sp), and you know you are gonna want one when the prices drop.
 
q6600 is fine ... and you can sell the 9450 for a little more ... so i'd prolly keep the q6600 as you are having 0 problems ... and sell the q9450 in teh classies
 
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