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chrislaing

41 posts

Geek


#28257 24-Nov-2008 14:18
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Hi guys,

I'm currently running an Intel Pentium E2160 Dual Core 1.8GHz in my desktop, and was thinking of an upgrade.


Can you suggest an affordable one?

Personally, I was thinking of the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz (which also fits the LGA775 socket).

I don;t know much at all about upgrading processors, but this one seems to be good value for money.

Any advice?



Suplimentary question: Is there anything I need to be wary of when upgrading a processor?

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pebbles
741 posts

Ultimate Geek

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  #179896 24-Nov-2008 14:28
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Just a question to help us out, what Motherboard do you have in the system? Just to get an idea of what's actually compatible ;)









chrislaing

41 posts

Geek


  #179933 24-Nov-2008 16:06
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Oh, sorry! It's a Gigabyte P35-DS3R with the LGA775 Socket.

Here's the full CPU-Z report

CPU-Z 1.48 HTML report file

CPU-Z 1.48 report file

Processor(s) 
Number of processors1
Number of cores2 per processor
Number of threads2 per processor
NameIntel Pentium E2160
Code NameConroe
SpecificationIntel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2160 @ 1.80GHz
PackageSocket 775 LGA
Family/Model/Stepping6.F.D
Extended Family/Model6.F
Core SteppingM0
Technology65 nm
Core Speed1200.1 MHz
Multiplier x Bus speed6.0 x 200.0 MHz
Rated Bus speed800.1 MHz
Stock frequency1800 MHz
Instruction setsMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, EM64T
L1 Data cache (per processor)2 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache (per processor)2 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache (per processor)1024 KBytes, 4-way set associative, 64-byte line size
Chipset & Memory 
NorthbridgeIntel P35/G33/G31 rev. A2
SouthbridgeIntel 82801IR (ICH9R) rev. 02
Graphic InterfacePCI-Express
PCI-E Link Widthx16
PCI-E Max Link Widthx16
Memory TypeDDR2
Memory Size2048 MBytes
Memory Frequency400.0 MHz (1:2)
CAS# Latency (tCL)5.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS# (tRCD)5 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP)5 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS)18 clocks
Command Rate (CR)2T
System 
System ManufacturerGigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System NameP35-DS3R
System S/N 
Mainboard VendorGigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Mainboard ModelP35-DS3R
BIOS VendorAward Software International, Inc.
BIOS VersionF9
BIOS Date11/16/2007
Memory SPD 
Module 1DDR2, PC2-6400 (400 MHz), 1024 MBytes, Apacer Technology
Module 2DDR2, PC2-6400 (400 MHz), 1024 MBytes, Apacer Technology
Software 
Windows VersionMicrosoft Windows Vista (6.0) Home Premium Edition Service Pack 1 (Build 6001)
DirectX Version10.0

eXDee
4032 posts

Uber Geek

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  #179992 24-Nov-2008 18:11
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What's the purpose of the computer? Games? Video Editing? Internet only? etc etc.
The Q6600 is a good quad core processor, good bang for buck. Would work well for general usage, video encoding and other multithreaded apps. But for gaming you'd go an e8400 or similar.



chrislaing

41 posts

Geek


  #180000 24-Nov-2008 18:23
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Oh thanks!

Well, it's definitely for general use, but gaming would be highest on my list of specific uses.

The e8400 is almost exactly the same price as the QQ6600 too!


Thanks, for the advice :-)

JoeBloggs
355 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #180024 24-Nov-2008 19:13
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I would take the E8400 over the Q6600. Possibly upgrade to a Q9550 if you can budget it. The E8400 runs cool even with some hefty overlocking (easily done on standard cooling). It'll be quite some time before programs and games developers start to efficiently utilise 4 cores; they can barely do it with 2.

Either way, look for something called "E0" or "E0 stepping" which has superseded previous "C0" units. Same price tage, same clock, better CPU. If the guy selling the CPU 'doesn't know' or 'won't tell you', be wary.

eXDee
4032 posts

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  #180028 24-Nov-2008 19:23
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As for shop in general i suggest Computerlounge as number 1, and playtech as number 2. However since CPU's hardly ever fail, even when you attempt to destroy them with excessive overclocking, going for a cheap place would be fine.

C1 happen to be the cheapest for the e8400 at the mo and they're a reasonable store for service, so i'd get it off them - http://c1com.co.nz/shop/step1.php?number=13136

If you plan on overclocking a decent amount, the e8500 is a great investment, i've cranked mine from 3.1ghz to 4ghz with a chunky cooler.
Otherwise if you're not going to overclock much the e8400 is definitely the way to go, it can go pretty high though anyway, even quite a bit on stock cooling.

chrislaing

41 posts

Geek


  #180102 24-Nov-2008 23:02
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ExDee and JoeBloggs, thank you very much for your replies!

I really appreciate the assistence, I'd be totally lost otherwise!

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