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Upgrading CPU - Worth it?

W

Wilo

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 19, 2006
Messages
208
Hey Folks,

I'm planning on upgrading from an Intel Core2 Duo E6600 to a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017), along with a ASUS P5Q Deluxe Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131297) and 4 GB of DDR2 GSKILL RAM, and a XFX 9800 GTX Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814150297). Of course, a good 750W PSU will accompany this setup.

Currently, I have the E6600 Core2Duo, 4 GB of Corsair DDR2 RAM, a MSI 975x Platinum Power-Up Motherboard, an 8800GT XFX video card w/ 512 MB DDR 3 VRAM and plenty of HD space running Vista 64-bit Ultimate.

My question is will this upgrade produce a noticeable difference worth $1300?

Inquiring minds ...

Thanks!
 
definitely not 1300 dollars difference. Personally i would just grab another 8800gt and oc the e6600
 
Given that Nehalem will be out late September or sometime in October, I'd wait to see how X58 motherboard prices and DDR3 are at that time first. Wait until Black Friday to buy anything, and if X58 and DDR3 are insanely priced, then get an insanely good deal on Yorkfield instead. If not, then be a happy owner of a Nehalem-based rig.

If you're impatient though, why not Q6600 on your current motherboard, with absolutely no other changes? If it can handle an E6600, I'd think it should be able to handle a Q6600, and that will mean less money sunk into an almost-dead platform.

As for the video card, definitely not worth the upgrade. It's silly to go from one G92-based card to another. Ditto with the RAM; DDR2-800 is enough to handle most Core 2 overclocking with no sweat.
 
Thanks for the replies; only thing though is that I'm not sure my motherboard supports SLI.
 
No, your current motherboard does not support SLI, and neither does the ASUS P5Q Deluxe. They both have an Intel chipset, and Intel chipsets only support Crossfire. Only NVIDIA chipsets support SLI. If you want SLI, I'd go for a EVGA 750i FTW or a MSI P7N SLI Platinum. May I ask what resolution you're gaming at though? SLI is generally only worth it at very high resolutions, e.g.: 2560x1600 and above.

If you feel that you need a better graphics card, upgrade to a GTX 260, HD 4850, or HD 4870 instead, depending on your resolution, the games you play, and your brand preferences (or lack thereof).
 
Videocard is the only difference you'll notice and it will be minimal with a 9800 GTX.
 
1920x1200 is the resolution I use for everything.

If I'd had my head on straight, it would have occurred to me that only NVIDIA chipsets support SLI.
 
Ditto farfromhome. Wait for Nehalem - it's a major upgrade and worth the wait IMHO.
 
Don't bother upgrading, you have a good system already. Definitely don't spend $1300.

If you're that worried about gaming upgrade to a REAL new videocard like an GTX 280 or 4870 X2, at least that part you'll be able to take with you to your next (hopefully Nehalem) upgrade.

Going from an 8800GT to 9800GTX would be a waste of time & money. 9xxx's are just renamed 8xxx series cards for the most part. Its a very minor upgrade.
 
DEX1 said:
Ditto farfromhome. Wait for Nehalem - it's a major upgrade and worth the wait IMHO.
Click to expand...

Yeah, and it may even come out in only a little over 3 months.

Still, the processor he has is fine. You could just go for the E8500 for $190.
 
The E8500 price got chopped 30%! Very tempting. It makes the e8400 the sweet spot. This is good for new builds, but not for upgrades.

I find the best upgrade for new pc's is to re format the PC if it is running windows!
 
You would see the best bang for the buck by just upgrading your VideoCard only right now. Save your cash for the new Intel stuff due in Fall/Winter.

So if your just looking for a better gaming rig, just pop in a GTX-280 1gb, if you find one for $399.00 that would be a steal and quite an upgrade compared to that 8800GT, about 75% + faster, or a 4870 can be had for like $280.00, and I think that baby is like 50% faster or so than the 8800GT
 
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