Upgrade Q6600 or Buy New i7 920?

[kufan64]

@AMD4Life
I wanted to hear the opinions of others from their perspectives. I'm one of those nerds who genuinely enjoy's this kind of discussion and debate. I've learned a tremendous amount in only 24 hours or so, and posting here has helped me to make a more informed descision.

@boomhowar
Yes, my video mem is 512.

I don't plan on doing everything all at once, I don't have that kind of money at one time, but I do first plan on buying the PSU soon, then perhaps next month buying the mobo, cpu, and ram, then maybe the month after that I will look into video card upgrades.

BTW no one answered my earlier question: Does a multi-GPU setup affect performance in games that don't use PhysX? As far as I know the secondary video card ONLY processes PhysX calculations... but I could be wrong. The reason I ask is cause I could use my 8800 as a secondary, since an SLI configuration would be quite expensive.

I plan on keeping everything stock until about the time Westmere is released, then I will probably overclock, and consider another major upgrade when Sandy Bridge is released.

This is all of course assuming someone doesn't give me reason not to.

 

[htoonthura]

@AMD4Life


I don't plan on doing everything all at once, I don't have that kind of money at one time, but I do first plan on buying the PSU soon, then perhaps next month buying the mobo, cpu, and ram, then maybe the month after that I will look into video card upgrades.

you are not listening to me. are you? do not buy stuff unless you need it. buy it individually if you find a very very good deal. Otherwise, buy it altogether. You can save on shipping fees. also, it is easy to return. save the money first. buying is easy. Ok?

 

[one-shot]

I would buy the CPU/MOBO/RAM all at once and upgrade as you need to. Better things are right around the corner and when you decide to upgrade, there may be a new GPU around the corner. I also think core i7 is the better choice. The Asus P6T Deluxe V2, i7 920, OCZ Platinum XTC 1600Mhz and a Xigmatek CPU cooler with a retention bracket is hard to beat. This should be right around $700 which also gives you room to upgrade, unlike socket 775. Money well spent is spending it on something you want, which may not be the most economical decision. Feeling good about your purchase may be worth the price difference. After all, it's only money.

 

[kufan64]

After looking at the prices I can get for all this stuff for $630 including shipping and rebates...

Newegg:
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 (open box item) -$200
Corsair 850TX PSU -$119

Microcenter:
i7 920 -$230
Corsair XMS3 6GB DDR3 1333-$70!

I may just have to put my order in right now...

 

[one-shot]

After looking at the prices I can get for all this stuff for $630 including shipping and rebates...

Newegg:
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 (open box item) -$200
Corsair 850TX PSU -$119

Microcenter:
i7 920 -$230
Corsair XMS3 6GB DDR3 1333-$70!

I may just have to put my order in right now...

NO NO NO NO NO!!! Never ever get an open box item. Spend the extra cash and get a regular P6T for 249.99, which is $30 cheaper than the P6T Deluxe V2. You are taking a big gamble with an open box item. I don't think it's worth it for a few dollars and possibly lots of headaches.

 

[kufan64]

@one-shot
Can you elaborate? I'm saving over $70 if I get it open box... I can get an open box from microcenter for $215 plus tax, which would be easier to return in the event there is a problem, but they both guarentee it to work 100%

I know it's a little bit of a risk, but it's quite a bit of money I could save... What are your reasons for me not buying it?

 

[one-shot]

@one-shot
Can you elaborate? I'm saving over $70 if I get it open box... I can get an open box from microcenter for $215 plus tax, which would be easier to return in the event there is a problem, but they both guarentee it to work 100%

I know it's a little bit of a risk, but it's quite a bit of money I could save... What are your reasons for me not buying it?

$215 plus tax and with 5% sales tax equals $225.75. A P6T on Newegg is 249.99. $25 dollars difference and many people on here have reported 4.0Ghz overclocks with that board. It also gets very good reviews. The P6T Deluxe V2 is $30 more and isn't much better, if better at all. Spend the extra $25 and get the standard P6T, which is a very good board. An open box to me is like buying a used item. It isn't worth it.

 

[htoonthura]

$215 plus tax and with 5% sales tax equals $225.75. A P6T on Newegg is 249.99. $25 dollars difference and many people on here have reported 4.0Ghz overclocks with that board. It also gets very good reviews. The P6T Deluxe V2 is $30 more and isn't much better, if better at all. Spend the extra $25 and get the standard P6T, which is a very good board. An open box to me is like buying a used item. It isn't worth it.

if you will be overclocking to 4.0 with i920, you should change your ram as well. Get this ddr3 1600 ram. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

That way you do not need to oc your ram.

Get this motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374

and this is very good cooler. Make sure it fits in your case. That cooler is awesome.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608007

These are the parts i am using now. My 920 i7 is running happily at 3.8g. very easy to oc. clean bios layout.

a final tip. Get a cooler like i mention you above.

 

[kufan64]

@one-shot
Here are the prices I found on newegg:
P6T Deluxe -$290
P6T Deluxe v2 -$280 (with free shipping)
The P6T (not deluxe) that costs $250 apparently supports only 12GB of RAM (as opposed to 24) and doesn't have as high quality of heatsinks (there are a few more things, but those were the most noticable things)

I think maybe we've had a bit of a communications error in that regard... Anyway the only difference b/w the v2 and the v1 is that the v2 lacks a SAS controller, and since I'm not using this board in a high-end server that uses SAS, I have no need for it, so I'll save $10. As an interesting side note, microcenter prices the v2 as $10 MORE than the v1... no idea why.

@htoonthura
I thought the 920 was limited to 1333 RAM
I also looked at that Gigabyte board when I originally compiled my wish list for the i7, and found it and the ASUS to be nearly equal in every way. My decision to go with ASUS was merely a personal preference.

 

[one-shot]

@one-shot
Here are the prices I found on newegg:
P6T Deluxe -$290
P6T Deluxe v2 -$280 (with free shipping)
The P6T (not deluxe) that costs $250 apparently supports only 12GB of RAM (as opposed to 24) and doesn't have as high quality of heatsinks (there are a few more things, but those were the most noticable things)

I think maybe we've had a bit of a communications error in that regard... Anyway the only difference b/w the v2 and the v1 is that the v2 lacks a SAS controller, and since I'm not using this board in a high-end server that uses SAS, I have no need for it, so I'll save $10. As an interesting side note, microcenter prices the v2 as $10 MORE than the v1... no idea why.

@htoonthura
I thought the 920 was limited to 1333 RAM
I also looked at that Gigabyte board when I originally compiled my wish list for the i7, and found it and the ASUS to be nearly equal in every way. My decision to go with ASUS was merely a personal preference.

You are correct, the non Deluxe version does have smaller heatsinks, but it can still overclock a good CPU to 4.0Ghz which says that they are more than adequate. Htoonthura is also right about the 1600Mhz ram. I mentioned it in one of my earlier posts as a must have. The board he recommended is also very good. I'm trying to decide if I want the Asus P6T Deluxe V2 or the Gigabyte UD4P he posted. Either is great and the Asus P6T is a very good board despite the "smaller" heatsinks.

There are many benchmarks that show there is a very very small if any benefit of having 12GB of RAM. 6GB is great and some can get by on only 3GB. Don't let the 12GB memory limitation scare you off. I have 4GB in my current system and have come nowhere near using all my memory and that's running Crysis and another game minimized switching back and forth.

EDIT: The i7 920 is not limited to 1333Mhz ram. So get the 1600Mhz kit and you'll be happy.

 

[kufan64]

Hang on... let's talk about the RAM for a minute...

Which is better 1333 or 1600 RAM? Apparently with the 920, you have to overclock the 1600 it for it even reach 1600... so does that mean it doesn't put as much stress on the RAM when it's already rated for 1600? I'm just a little bit confused, as I thought I was limited to 1333 unless I bought a 940. Will the 1600's work flawlessly at speeds of 1333 (without overclocking them at all)? Sorry, but a little bit of clarification would really be appreciated.

 

[htoonthura]

Hang on... let's talk about the RAM for a minute...

Which is better 1333 or 1600 RAM? Apparently with the 920, you have to overclock the 1600 it for it even reach 1600... so does that mean it doesn't put as much stress on the RAM when it's already rated for 1600? I'm just a little bit confused, as I thought I was limited to 1333 unless I bought a 940. Will the 1600's work flawlessly at speeds of 1333 (without overclocking them at all)? Sorry, but a little bit of clarification would really be appreciated.

you are right. 1600 ram will have no stress at all since they are tested at that speed. if you go with 1333, you have to oc the ram to reach 4 g. So, get the 1600 ram.

yes, 1600 ram will work even if you do not oc at all.

 

[AMD4Life]

About the graphics card... Although I might be a bit jealous of you 😀, I will recommend GTX295 for one simple reason: It's future proof. And that is the first thing you always look. I am buying an ATI 4890 and, even though it is a nice card which will run all of my games at maximum (at 1680x1050), it will be OUTDATED. SOON. 4870x2 is already a bit old, so get 295. Of course, you won't notice any difference between GTX285 and 295 in gaming, but later on you won't have to think every month about changing your graphics card.

RAM... Well, it all depends on what platform you're using. Since you decided that i7 is good for you, I would recommend getting either 3GB or 6GB RAM (depending on your budget again). Now really, do not waste your money for higher frequency RAM (1600), because you won't see any difference at all. DDR3 is very cheap as of late, just order it at NewEgg. I7 uses triple-channel RAM so it's either 3GB or 6GB (or more if you are Bill Gates). Really, frequency of RAM doesn't mean everything. You wouldn't even notice a difference between 1066 DDR2 and 1333 DDR3 (no, I'm not talking cr*p, been through this).

 

[one-shot]

About the graphics card... Although I might be a bit jealous of you 😀, I will recommend GTX295 for one simple reason: It's future proof. And that is the first thing you always look. I am buying an ATI 4890 and, even though it is a nice card which will run all of my games at maximum (at 1680x1050), it will be OUTDATED. SOON. 4870x2 is already a bit old, so get 295. Of course, you won't notice any difference between GTX285 and 295 in gaming, but later on you won't have to think every month about changing your graphics card.

RAM... Well, it all depends on what platform you're using. Since you decided that i7 is good for you, I would recommend getting either 3GB or 6GB RAM (depending on your budget again). Now really, do not waste your money for higher frequency RAM (1600), because you won't see any difference at all. DDR3 is very cheap as of late, just order it at NewEgg. I7 uses triple-channel RAM so it's either 3GB or 6GB (or more if you are Bill Gates). Really, frequency of RAM doesn't mean everything. You wouldn't even notice a difference between 1066 DDR2 and 1333 DDR3 (no, I'm not talking cr*p, been through this).

If he wants to overclock his CPU without overclocking his RAM, he will then need 1600MHz DDR3. Have you missed every other post besides the ones you type? If he gets 1333MHz ram and it doesn't overclock well, then it limits the full potential of his PC. Is the $20< difference really worth it. SIGH.........

 

[AMD4Life]

If he wants to overclock his CPU without overclocking his RAM, he will then need 1600MHz DDR3. Have you missed every other post besides the ones you type? If he gets 1333MHz ram and it doesn't overclock well, then it limits the full potential of his PC. Is the $20< difference really worth it. SIGH.........

Sigh... I am very well educated in this kind of stuff and I do not need other posts or you to teach me. WOW, REALLY? 1333MHz doesn't overclock well? Why just don't get a NASA PC or something, because really DDR3 1333MHz is s**t. Core i7 920? Bah, with the stupid 1333MHz RAM he won't even use the full potential of that weak processor. Man it's so weak that my pants drop every time I think of it... Get an i7 965 if you want entry level performance. But personally for me, I'd order from NASA to design a specific CPU only for me which costs 1 000 000$. But hey, even that's entry...

Those 20$ can be sent to someone who needs it, someone who is starving now and can't think of even getting a 10$ PC. But you really need the damn RAM because it's more expensive.

If he gets 1333MHz ram and it doesn't overclock well, then it limits the full potential of his PC.

And what difference will he note? Faster boot times for 0.2 nanoseconds? Chill up dude.

 

[one-shot]

Sigh... I am very well educated in this kind of stuff and I do not need other posts or you to teach me. WOW, REALLY? 1333MHz doesn't overclock well? Why just don't get a NASA PC or something, because really DDR3 1333MHz is s**t. Core i7 920? Bah, with the stupid 1333MHz RAM he won't even use the full potential of that weak processor. Man it's so weak that my pants drop every time I think of it... Get an i7 965 if you want entry level performance. But personally for me, I'd order from NASA to design a specific CPU only for me which costs 1 000 000$. But hey, even that's entry...

Those 20$ can be sent to someone who needs it, someone who is starving now and can't think of even getting a 10$ PC. But you really need the damn RAM because it's more expensive.

If he gets 1333MHz ram and it doesn't overclock well, then it limits the full potential of his PC.

And what difference will he note? Faster boot times for 0.2 nanoseconds? Chill up dude.

SIGH.....................................I didn't say 1333MHz RAM will not clock well. I said "({[- IF -]})" he gets 1333MHz ram, AND it doesn't clock well, he will be forced to user a lower Base Clock. The lower base clock on an i7 920 will give him an overall lower CPU clock speed. AGAIN, you did not read the post, but instead displayed your inability to comprehend a post that is trying to help the OP. 1600MHZ RAM will not have to be overclocked since the freq of the RAM may never reach 1600MHz with relation to the CPU multiplier and Base Clock speed. 1333MHz ram will have to be overclocked when he overclocks his CPU to a high freq. Read, reread, then read again, because you obviously do not get it.

 

[Malcolmk]

Personally I would just get a new gigabyte 775 motherboard and a Thermalright cooler. The q6600 overclocked to 3gig will still use less power than the 920 i7 and I can't see much of a performance difference. Also PC technology has been very stagnant over the last two years so there is not much point in spending lots on an upgrade. The i7 is expensive, runs hot and the i5 has very little performance gain over the 775. Either buy a new 775 motherboard or go to an AMD quad. I switched from Intel to AMD and haven't looked back.

 

[blackpanther26]

you could always try software to overclock your CPU.

 

[AMD4Life]

SIGH.....................................I didn't say 1333MHz RAM will not clock well. I said "({[- IF -]})" he gets 1333MHz ram, AND it doesn't clock well, he will be forced to user a lower Base Clock. The lower base clock on an i7 920 will give him an overall lower CPU clock speed. AGAIN, you did not read the post, but instead displayed your inability to comprehend a post that is trying to help the OP. 1600MHZ RAM will not have to be overclocked since the freq of the RAM may never reach 1600MHz with relation to the CPU multiplier and Base Clock speed. 1333MHz ram will have to be overclocked when he overclocks his CPU to a high freq. Read, reread, then read again, because you obviously do not get it.

All right, this is getting stupid and I don't want to argue any more. I just don't get why the hell wouldn't 1333MHz overclock well... I read the damn post.

 

[AMD4Life]

SIGH.....................................I didn't say 1333MHz RAM will not clock well. I said "({[- IF -]})" he gets 1333MHz ram, AND it doesn't clock well, he will be forced to user a lower Base Clock. The lower base clock on an i7 920 will give him an overall lower CPU clock speed. AGAIN, you did not read the post, but instead displayed your inability to comprehend a post that is trying to help the OP. 1600MHZ RAM will not have to be overclocked since the freq of the RAM may never reach 1600MHz with relation to the CPU multiplier and Base Clock speed. 1333MHz ram will have to be overclocked when he overclocks his CPU to a high freq. Read, reread, then read again, because you obviously do not get it.

Yes, again I get it that I don't get what the damn hell are you talking about. Again: I do not need your posts to know does 1333MHz overclock well. And why the f**k would he want to overclock RAM??? Okay if it was DDR2 667 MHz, but man, 1333 F'ing MHz!!!

 

[clovek1]

i would definitely recommend to invest into a better graphics card instead of CPU for gaming.
I am including a lot of large pictures now, to support this statement. I hope it will not bother the potential readers too much ...

i do personally prefer silent PC and invest into coolers with slow fans and very little noise.

Here you can see the impact of different CPUs on Crysis (uses 2 or 3 cores):

Here is impact of different CPUs for GTA4 (a game that uses 4 cores)

Here is the impact of different graphics cards of Crysis:

Here impact of different graphics cards on STALKER:

 

[bruhthakuga]

you are not listening to me. are you? do not buy stuff unless you need it. buy it individually if you find a very very good deal. Otherwise, buy it altogether. You can save on shipping fees. also, it is easy to return. save the money first. buying is easy. Ok?

Keep one thing in mind, he has to have, mobo, CPU, RAM, PSU and a GPU if he doesn't have one, X58 have no on boards, all at the same time so that he can make sure everything works and that he doesn't need to get an RMA. None of the stuff in his old set up will allow him to test the new stuff. He will have to spend about $700 at once.

 

[B-Unit]

Keep one thing in mind, he has to have, mobo, CPU, RAM, PSU and a GPU if he doesn't have one, X58 have no on boards, all at the same time so that he can make sure everything works and that he doesn't need to get an RMA. None of the stuff in his old set up will allow him to test the new stuff. He will have to spend about $700 at once.

Which is another good reason to stick with and OC the Q6600. Yea, its 'old' but the 'new' isnt that much faster at what he does (game).

Start with your new PSU and then get a mobo and cooler. As soon as you can afford, get a good graphics upgrade and your sittin' pretty for a good while.

 

[AMD4Life]

Have you decided already? I am hardly waiting to see what have you bought and have you chosen the right path

 

[AMD4Life]

you could always try software to overclock your CPU.

Yeah, that's how I got my E4600 to about 3.44GHz these days...