Advice on future upgrade

UnIcOrN · Jul 14, 2007, 03:25 PM

I'm thinking of upgrading my X2 3800+ to either the Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 or to the Intel Quadcore Q6600. Is it worth of paying the extra 90 euro's for 2 more cores or atm still a waste of money? They both run at 2400 Mhz each core, or is there still some difference under the hood?

For a mainbord I was considering the eVGA nForce 680i paired with 2x1024 OCZ memory, could be tempted to get 2x 2GB Kits to go for 4gb total.

The only thing I am not sure about is if my PSU is still sufficient for the upgrade or if I need to upgrade that also.

Hopefully ppl here can shed some personal lights on the parts listed.

Asmoday · Jul 14, 2007, 03:32 PM

If you have the money I'd say go for the quad an the 4gb RAM, and since you already have Vista Ultimate you can install the 64bit (if you aren't running it aleady that is) version to make use of all that ram.

edit: about the PSU, I'd recommend getting a beefier one for sure although it may very well work with your current one. But in the end you better upgrade it too.

UnIcOrN · Jul 14, 2007, 03:41 PM

Ok, will take a peek at some PSU's and see what I can find.
I got the 64-Bit version also here, using the 32-Bit version atm. Have not really delved into the 64-Bit version besides the older RC's from Vista.

Also I heard that Intel is planning to cut the prices on all current desktop CPU's. Is this anywhere confirmed and if so anyone know how much of a cut we can expect, if the Quadcore drops in price, then yeah that is the one I will go for.

*Edit*

I found the 600 Watt version of my current PSU Xilence 600 Watt Gaming Edition
Soz the site is in German, could not find any english site that contained info about it.

Grace · Jul 14, 2007, 04:30 PM

You will most certainly need a more powerful PSU, I know the Xilence unit which you got and I certainly wouldn't pair it with a quad if I were you. However, if you aren't into overclocking, it should hold the E6600 just fine.

Concerning the CPU, if you are into overclocking even a E6320 is great, they overclock tremendously. If you are not, the E6600 is fine. The Q6600 is a very good CPU but currently you won't notice much difference from it unless you do heavy multitasking. If you aren't the person who upgrades often, you should get the Q6600, it will last longer.

About the RAM, 2X1GB will be fine for now. You can get another set later if you need it, it should be cheaper as well.

dipstick · Jul 14, 2007, 05:18 PM

Can't really add much to the great advice above but if I were to change something it would be to grab an Intel board. Of course if you want sli then you really have no choice but if you are not planning on it I think you'd enjoy an Intel 965 or P35 board a little more.

Jul 14, 2007, 03:25 PM	#1
UnIcOrN HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Netherlands Posts: 239 Rep Power: 0	Advice on future upgrade I'm thinking of upgrading my X2 3800+ to either the Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 or to the Intel Quadcore Q6600. Is it worth of paying the extra 90 euro's for 2 more cores or atm still a waste of money? They both run at 2400 Mhz each core, or is there still some difference under the hood? For a mainbord I was considering the eVGA nForce 680i paired with 2x1024 OCZ memory, could be tempted to get 2x 2GB Kits to go for 4gb total. The only thing I am not sure about is if my PSU is still sufficient for the upgrade or if I need to upgrade that also. Hopefully ppl here can shed some personal lights on the parts listed. __________________ [COLOR=white][COLOR=#000000][/COLOR][/COLOR] Last edited by UnIcOrN; Jul 14, 2007 at 03:30 PM.

Jul 14, 2007, 03:32 PM	#2
Asmoday Demonic Join Date: May 2002 Location: In the cold, dark north... Posts: 5,198 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	If you have the money I'd say go for the quad an the 4gb RAM, and since you already have Vista Ultimate you can install the 64bit (if you aren't running it aleady that is) version to make use of all that ram. edit: about the PSU, I'd recommend getting a beefier one for sure although it may very well work with your current one. But in the end you better upgrade it too. __________________ How You can help Hardwareheaven by using Digg

Jul 14, 2007, 03:41 PM	Thread Starter #3
UnIcOrN HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Netherlands Posts: 239 Rep Power: 0	Ok, will take a peek at some PSU's and see what I can find. I got the 64-Bit version also here, using the 32-Bit version atm. Have not really delved into the 64-Bit version besides the older RC's from Vista. Also I heard that Intel is planning to cut the prices on all current desktop CPU's. Is this anywhere confirmed and if so anyone know how much of a cut we can expect, if the Quadcore drops in price, then yeah that is the one I will go for. Edit I found the 600 Watt version of my current PSU Xilence 600 Watt Gaming Edition Soz the site is in German, could not find any english site that contained info about it. __________________ [COLOR=white][COLOR=#000000][/COLOR][/COLOR] Last edited by UnIcOrN; Jul 14, 2007 at 03:46 PM.

Jul 14, 2007, 04:30 PM	#4
Grace HH's Tomboy Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Anywhere but in my house! Posts: 776 Rep Power: 56	You will most certainly need a more powerful PSU, I know the Xilence unit which you got and I certainly wouldn't pair it with a quad if I were you. However, if you aren't into overclocking, it should hold the E6600 just fine. Concerning the CPU, if you are into overclocking even a E6320 is great, they overclock tremendously. If you are not, the E6600 is fine. The Q6600 is a very good CPU but currently you won't notice much difference from it unless you do heavy multitasking. If you aren't the person who upgrades often, you should get the Q6600, it will last longer. About the RAM, 2X1GB will be fine for now. You can get another set later if you need it, it should be cheaper as well.

Jul 14, 2007, 05:18 PM	#5
dipstick HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Can't really add much to the great advice above but if I were to change something it would be to grab an Intel board. Of course if you want sli then you really have no choice but if you are not planning on it I think you'd enjoy an Intel 965 or P35 board a little more.