Best Core 2 Series Desktops-Results and Specs

[DJ Hellfire]

You know what I just realized? My current stu computer is gonna be replacing my old P4 family computer. But remember, I'm taking my current Q6600 and swapping it to the new build. So I have to buy another LGA 775 processor anyway. So what would you guys get in the $150-180 range, a lower end Quad, or beefed up Duo?

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by DJ Hellfire

You know what I just realized? My current stu computer is gonna be replacing my old P4 family computer. But remember, I'm taking my current Q6600 and swapping it to the new build. So I have to buy another LGA 775 processor anyway. So what would you guys get in the $150-180 range, a lower end Quad, or beefed up Duo?

My local Microcenter has had the E7400 on sale for 99.00 for some time and I have built a few desktops with it. Its a very snappy little processor. If the new computer is only going to be used for desktop chores than a dual core is just fine. About the only benefit you would see from a Quad core would be if you used to trans code a lot of video. If you going to throw a fast video card in it and do some gaming then a faster processor would be a bonus.

A more important question would be "What processor will your old computer take". A lot of OEM machines have a locked down proprietary BIOS and it may not recognize a newer or different chip. You might want to look around a for a Q6600, Q9550, or Q9450 for the new build and just leave the old one be. It would be smart to go to the manufacturers web page for your old computer and see if it was offered with any optional processors.

Its been my experience that as long as its a dual core and its over 2GHz that theres no real difference between a dual core and a quad for surfing the web, reading email, watching videos on youtube etc.

[DJ Hellfire]

Originally Posted by sunburst79

You might want to look around a for a Q6600, Q9550, or Q9450 for the new build and just leave the old one be. It would be smart to go to the manufacturers web page for your old computer and see if it was offered with any optional processors.

That's what I am really leaning towards.

As for my old mobo, I don't know what other processors it can use, but I planned on sticking with Intel only. I figured any LGA 775 Intel chip would work.

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by DJ Hellfire

That's what I am really leaning towards.

As for my old mobo, I don't know what other processors it can use, but I planned on sticking with Intel only. I figured any LGA 775 Intel chip would work.

Its likely that any Intel CPU thats of the same vintage as your board will work along with any older Intel socket 775 processors. Some newer ones might work and just not be recognised properly, it's a bit of a crap shoot. This is one of the advantages of a DIY build since ASUS, Gigabyte and the others list what CPU's are compatible on their websites.

The other thing is that any advice would be remiss with out mentioning that if your buying a new CPU, Motherboard, DDR3 RAM and a PSU that you really might be better off returning the socket 775 stuff if you can and grabing a i7 930.

[DJ Hellfire]

Originally Posted by sunburst79

The other thing is that any advice would be remiss with out mentioning that if your buying a new CPU, Motherboard, DDR3 RAM and a PSU that you really might be better off returning the socket 775 stuff if you can and grabing a i7 930.

No i7 at the moment for me. I priced it out and it would have been almost $400 more than I spent, which was already a little over my planned spending. I will probably get the i7 later this year, hopefully if the prices come down a bit.

Anyway, I just went to a local shop and picked up an 8300. There is no thermal paste in the box. Is that normal? When I built the i7, I could have sworn it came with paste (but I can't remember if it was the mobo that included the paste). The back of the box says the package contains a processor and thermal solution.

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by DJ Hellfire

No i7 at the moment for me. I priced it out and it would have been almost $400 more than I spent, which was already a little over my planned spending. I will probably get the i7 later this year, hopefully if the prices come down a bit.

Anyway, I just went to a local shop and picked up an 8300. There is no thermal paste in the box. Is that normal? When I built the i7, I could have sworn it came with paste (but I can't remember if it was the mobo that included the paste). The back of the box says the package contains a processor and thermal solution.

There should be three strips of thermal goo across the bottom of the HFS (Heatsink Fan). Just remove the protective layer of plastic and install the heatsink. If the HSF is missing the thermal paste then you will need some arctic silver 5 or thermal compound. The stock Intel thermal compound is a one shot deal. If you need to remove the heatsink for any reason you will need to clean of the old goo with 91% alcohol and apply some new thermal compound. If your not close to a computer supply store I have used the stuff from Best Buy in a pinch and it works just fine. I think its called "Silver ceramic" or something like that.

[DJ Hellfire]

OK yeah, I thought that's what the grey strips were. Just wasn't sure.

[DJ Hellfire]

Also Sun, when Win7 64-bit is finally supported and approved, I will defintely make that i7 move!

[TOM@METRO]

Originally Posted by DJ Hellfire

Also Sun, when Win7 64-bit is finally supported and approved, I will defintely make that i7 move!

Yep, I'm still limpin' along on a Q9550 @ 3.4. Today on a really huge session I got above 50% CPU usage... OOOH scary.

[DJ Hellfire]

Originally Posted by TOM@METRO

Yep, I'm still limpin' along on a Q9550 @ 3.4. Today on a really huge session I got above 50% CPU usage... OOOH scary.

I just swapped my Q6600 back into my studio rig and added a CM V8 cooler. Gonna give overclocking to 3.0 or 3.2 a go. Put the Q8300 into my Inspiron 530 (which is now the fam computer) since I found hardly any overclocking lit on that processor.