Core 2 Duo E8600 Vs. Core 2 Quad Q9505S

[Azndude263]

I just recently bought a Gateway SX2802-07 for $60. I am not sure if that's a good deal or not but I already bought it so it's too late to think about it now. I am planning to use it as a secondary PC as I already have my gaming computer. I will mainly use it for Netflix, Youtube, Webrowsing (multiple tabs) and some light gaming such as Civ4, L4D and such if possible at all. I know it is a very weak computer thus not planning to play any modern games on it at all. I am thinking about upgrading the CPU and GPU to make the most out of this PC. The problem lies in the Power Supply because it is only a 220W. Since it is from a slimline PC, the shape and size of this power supply is weird thus I can't exactly upgrade it. The specs of this PC is as follow

CPU: Pentium E5300 2.6ghz (Dual Core) (65W)
GPU: Integrated Intel GMA X4500
Ram: 6gb DDR2 (not sure if upgradable)
PSU: 220W
HDD: 640gb

I am just planning to upgrade the CPU and GPU because I can't find any compatible power supply. I am planning to stick with a 65W CPU because I am not sure if my mobo can support the 95W normal Core 2 Quad cpus. The prices are from Ebay. Here are some of my options

1. Core 2 Duo E8600 3.33ghz (65W) ($18)
2. Core 2 Quad Q9505S 2.83ghz (65W) ($50)
3. Core 2 Quad Q9505 2.83ghz (95W) ($28) (not sure if my mobo can handle the 95W)

Do you guys think the extra $32 from buying the E9505S is worth it over buying the E8600? I could stick with the Q9505 but not sure if my mobo can handle the extra 30W well and would also like to save the extra watt for the GPU. Or should I even upgrade it at all? Will I see a performance increase?

Also, I am thinking about putting in the GT 730. Would a 730 be okay for my PC or could I go a bit higher? Please advise me on which GPU to put in here

 

[jimmysmitty]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113125

If that is the same model you have then it should support the Q9505 as the Q8300 was also a 95W TDP CPU per Intel:

http://ark.intel.com/products/39107/Intel-Core2-Quad-Processor-Q8300-4M-Cache-2_50-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB

If it would fit the 750Ti low profile is not a bad option:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125680

 

[Azndude263]

But with a 220W Power Supply, you think it can handle both the 750Ti and the Q9505?

That isn't my model, my model is the SX2802-07. Slightly different. Pentium E5300 and 6Gb of DDR2 ram

 

[Autocrat]

I would go with the E8600. The good single threaded performance will probably be best for what you plan on using this computer for.

 

[jimmysmitty]

I forgot to factor PSU in. 220W would not be enough for the 750Ti. Probably the 730 would be fine.

The thing about the Core 2 Q9000 series was that the TDW was way higher than what they actually consumed. A QX9650 had to be overclocked to 3.9GHz to hit its TDP of 125w.

 

[Azndude263]

So the Core 2 Duo E8600 3.3ghz along with a GT 730 are my best 2 options? I probably should stick with a 65W CPU to save the the extra wattage for the GPU huh?

I kind of like the idea of having a Quad Core over a Core 2 Duo but not sure if the Q9505S is better than the E8600

 

[Autocrat]

So the Core 2 Duo E8600 3.3ghz along with a GT 730 are my best 2 options? I probably should stick with a 65W CPU to save the the extra wattage for the GPU huh?

I kind of like the idea of having a Quad Core over a Core 2 Duo but not sure if the Q9505S is better than the E8600

That was my thought when I switched to a core to quad from a E8500. I actually found that the E8500 was much better. Most of what we do is only using one core, so the speed of a single thread is the best measure of how powerful said CPU is. Some things do take advantage of multiple cores, but I think for your purposes, and when dealing with older hardware, better single core performance is the way to go