Upgrading from Core 2 Duo E6550 to Core 2 Duo E8500 ?

[Slobo11ify]

I currently have:
C2D E6550 (4M Cache, 2.33 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB)
4 GB DDR2 800 MHz
AMD R7 250 1GB GDDR5 (ASUS)

I've just found a cheap C2D E8500 (6M Cache, 3.16 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB) for 12 $ with shipping and I'm thinking about getting that CPU. Is the upgrade worth for that price ? Would there be any kind of performance improvement on CS:GO, GTA V and some less specification hungry games.

Here is the official comparison on Intel site:
http://ark.intel.com/compare/33911,30783

- Thanks in advance.

 

[13thmonkey]

it would be faster, is it worth $12, depends on what $12 is worth to you, but probably yes, will it make a huge difference, probably not, depends on how far past the edge you are.

 

[CompuTronix]

Slobo11ify,

Intel's comparison is a handy tool, but it really doesn't put the two processors into perspective. Let's take a closer look at the specifications and PassMark CPU scores to bring the critical points into focus:

E6550 - http://ark.intel.com/products/30783/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-E6550-4M-Cache-2_33-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB
65 nanometer microarchitecture
291 million transistors
2.33 GHz
PassMark CPU score: 1,502

E8500 - http://ark.intel.com/products/33911/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-E8500-6M-Cache-3_16-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB
45 nanometer microarchitecture
410 million transistors
3.16 GHz
PassMark CPU score: 2,192

* Newer microarchitecture.
* 40.8% increase in transistor count.
* 35.7% increase in frequency (833 MHz faster).
* 45.9% increase in PassMark CPU score.

PassMark CPU Benchmarks: High Mid Range CPU's - https://www.cpubenchmark.net/mid_range_cpus.html

It's definitely worth $12.00.

CT

 

[chemmajorp53]

What motherboard/computer do you have? Because the Q6600 is only like $15 and it's a lot faster.

 

[DBCooper53]

Somewhat faster but make sure your board supports it; not all support the 45nm just because they have the same socket 775. A BIOS update might do it if it's a newer chipset too; if so, make sure you do the update before you switch CPUs..

 

[BFG-9000]

I agree with chemmajorp53. A reasonably clocked C2Q is about as fast as a modern i3 or Pentium for anything but memory-bandwidth constrained tasks like gaming and Winzip so perfect for that secondary web-surfing or Office machine.

 

[Slobo11ify]

What motherboard/computer do you have? Because the Q6600 is only like $15 and it's a lot faster.

I have Dell OptiPlex 755. The motherboard is Dell 0GM819.Where did you find the Q6600 for that price? I found the E8500 on my local website called www.olx.ba. The guy sells a lot of CPU's so that's why they are so cheap. Usually the price is like 40% higher here in Bosnia.

 

[Slobo11ify]

Somewhat faster but make sure your board supports it; not all support the 45nm just because they have the same socket 775. A BIOS update might do it if it's a newer chipset too; if so, make sure you do the update before you switch CPUs..

I have latest BIOS installed for my PC. It's A22 from 2012 (OptiPlex 755 is like 8 years old but they still updated BIOS for some reason).

 

[BFG-9000]

Q6600 has been under $16 on eBay for over a year.

 

[Slobo11ify]

Q6600 has been under $16 on eBay for over a year.

I'll probably get an i5 PC next summer so I'll stick with E8500 till then. It will come in 1-2 days at my home so I'll give you a reply once I get everything working and tested