C2D e8600 vs C2Q 9550

[Patchett]

I know this has been asked alot but i couldnt find a good answer, so what would be better for me, the core 2 duo e8600 or core 2 quad 9550, if i mainly will use it for gaming? i would like to play games like saints row 3 or fallout new vegas and maybe skyrim (low settings obviously).
My system is a pre-built compaqhttp://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c01270768
it has the max 2gb ram it can have and a cheap nvidia geforce 210 1gb ddr3 graphics card. My cpu is constantly maxing out even just waching youtube and browsing the Internet. I dont have the money to get a new mobo or cpu as then i would need to get a new OS.....so whats the better choice for around 120$ ?
thanks

 

[thasan1]

well to be honest, none comparing today's standards. but C2Q is the better option between those two. though if you can save some cash like 60-80$ a new Gfx card like Radeon HD 6670 can be bought for better gaming experience, maybe even a 7750 though i dont think there are any 7750 selling at 80$ range as the lowest factory OC'ed card was about 90$ and i don't think a C2Q will be sold for 30$...
so the only thing holding back your rig will be the ram is 2GB is too low for modern games.

EDIT: i just realized that my mobo a gigabyte 945GCMX-S2 does not support intel core 2 quads and another 945GC based mobo does not support that too. so i think the C2 Duo is the only option for you 🙁

yep 945GC [ the chipset your mobo has DOES NOT support intel core 2 quads....

 

[Patchett]

well to be honest, none comparing today's standards. but C2Q is the better option between those two. though if you can save some cash like 60-80$ a new Gfx card like Radeon HD 6670 can be bought for better gaming experience, maybe even a 7750 though i dont think there are any 7750 selling at 80$ range as the lowest factory OC'ed card was about 90$ and i don't think a C2Q will be sold for 30$...
so the only thing holding back your rig will be the ram is 2GB is too low for modern games.

EDIT: i just realized that my mobo a gigabyte 945GCMX-S2 does not support intel core 2 quads and another 945GC based mobo does not support that too. so i think the C2 Duo is the only option for you 🙁

yep 945GC [ the chipset your mobo has DOES NOT support intel core 2 quads....

Well thanks for replying and i found this information here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01285437&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=3577865&tmp_track_link=ot_search#N116
and under Processor Upgrade information it says it will only support up to a core 2 duo e4400.........
i was really looking foward to upgrading my cpu and getting to play some modern games and looking foward to not lagging on some i currently play...... =/

 

[Intel God]

The Q9550 was a beast back in its day and is not that bad. OP.. can you overclock? A 9550 around 4Ghz would still be good for BF3

 

[thasan1]

well to be honest, none comparing today's standards. but C2Q is the better option between those two. though if you can save some cash like 60-80$ a new Gfx card like Radeon HD 6670 can be bought for better gaming experience, maybe even a 7750 though i dont think there are any 7750 selling at 80$ range as the lowest factory OC'ed card was about 90$ and i don't think a C2Q will be sold for 30$...
so the only thing holding back your rig will be the ram is 2GB is too low for modern games.

EDIT: i just realized that my mobo a gigabyte 945GCMX-S2 does not support intel core 2 quads and another 945GC based mobo does not support that too. so i think the C2 Duo is the only option for you 🙁

yep 945GC [ the chipset your mobo has DOES NOT support intel core 2 quads....

Well thanks for replying and i found this information here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01285437&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=3577865&tmp_track_link=ot_search#N116
and under Processor Upgrade information it says it will only support up to a core 2 duo e4400.........
i was really looking foward to upgrading my cpu and getting to play some modern games and looking foward to not lagging on some i currently play...... =/

well one option is to get a C2D E4400 or a 4500 and then OC the hell out of it. a good mobo with 1333 Mhz [333 Mhz] FSB support will give you 3.3 Ghz on 4400.

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

None, you can build a better build for around 300 dollars rather than spending the money on age old processors. Please just don't do that, it is like against the law of Upgrading.
Otherwise just drop in a cheap graphics card like 7750 that you PSU can handle if you are sure that you cannot extend your budget and get a second hand Core2Duo CPU from ebay.

 

[Patchett]

well to be honest, none comparing today's standards. but C2Q is the better option between those two. though if you can save some cash like 60-80$ a new Gfx card like Radeon HD 6670 can be bought for better gaming experience, maybe even a 7750 though i dont think there are any 7750 selling at 80$ range as the lowest factory OC'ed card was about 90$ and i don't think a C2Q will be sold for 30$...
so the only thing holding back your rig will be the ram is 2GB is too low for modern games.

EDIT: i just realized that my mobo a gigabyte 945GCMX-S2 does not support intel core 2 quads and another 945GC based mobo does not support that too. so i think the C2 Duo is the only option for you 🙁

yep 945GC [ the chipset your mobo has DOES NOT support intel core 2 quads....

Well thanks for replying and i found this information here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01285437&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=3577865&tmp_track_link=ot_search#N116
and under Processor Upgrade information it says it will only support up to a core 2 duo e4400.........
i was really looking foward to upgrading my cpu and getting to play some modern games and looking foward to not lagging on some i currently play...... =/

well one option is to get a C2D E4400 or a 4500 and then OC the hell out of it. a good mobo with 1333 Mhz [333 Mhz] FSB support will give you 3.3 Ghz on 4400.

Well the mobo is just cheap and sucks, plus its locked so i cant overclock So how good is a C2D E4400 stock? how much of an improvement over my Pentium D 915 would it be? and most importantly: would it let me play games like APB Reloaded since i barely get 10 fps with a high fps config or maybe Skyrim on low settings and get a decent 25 average fps? the e4440 is only like 15-20$ including shipping (alot less lower then what i was willing to pay) so even if i ust get 10-15 fps more in some games i would be happy.

 

[Patchett]

The Q9550 was a beast back in its day and is not that bad. OP.. can you overclock? A 9550 around 4Ghz would still be good for BF3

Yeah people were saying OC it could almost keep pace with there i7s, but sadly no i cant overclock as my board is locked. i dont really plan on playing games like Bf3 multiplayer or Planetside 2 on it though, but games like skyrim and fallout along with Fallen Earth and maybe APB reloaded. But anyway my mobo dont support it =/

 

[thasan1]

@Patchett then i think you should save the money and spend for a complete system in the future.