Value of upgrading E8400 using 771 MOD

Lifeofgold

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Feb 21, 2015
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4,520
I am poor/flat broke/ however you want to call it. I live on old PC equipment obtained for free, cobbling together "Frankenstein" machines to fulfill my needs. once in a while I have a few bucks to spend if it REALLY is worth the expense. I am at that moment right now.

My System in question:

ASUS P5N-B rev 1.02
BIOS REV 1401 (Last update released)
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
8 GB OCZ Gold PC6400 RAM (4 matching modules 2GB each, sequential S/Ns)
Saphire Vapor-X Radeon HD 5770
Windows 7 64 Bit Ultimate

I know it is not worth spending much on this system but I see one chance for a decent upgrade.
for under $50 I can install a Quad Core Xeon E5450 using the LGA775 to LGA771 adapter MOD, and then going for a decent overclock. I have heard that some of the Xeon E5450s can reach 4GHz. This particular Quad core CPU is the same speed as my current E8400 Core 2 Duo but runs at a lower voltage, leaving lots of headway for OC'ing. It runs a little hotter than my current CPU (TDP of 80 compared to TDP of 65) but my MB is rated to a TDP of 130. And I have a couple of 120 mm heatpipe cooling options laying around (Coolermaster Hyper 212 and Thermaltake Volcano) that I could make work if needed. This is well withing my skills, but I am not familiar with all of the performance gains. I am asking for advice on the performance to dollar ratio. Will this type of upgrade increase general performance by 20% - 25% or more? I would not consider a 10% - 15% increase worth the money. I thank you for your time and expertise.
 
I was just looking at one of your other post on this question, Sorry for not searching more before I posted. I spent a lot of time researching before I even considered this option. I know to get E0 revision. While the Q6600 OC'd would be easier, it would run hotter for approximately similar results of OC'd E5450 for relative same cost. Q6700 gets more expensive, and I would really need to but a better cooling option as well resulting in ever more expense. My quandary was spending any money. under $50 and some work and prayers. I didn't want to do max OCing, just keep this system good for another year or 2 until the next system comes my way. The only thing I do not hesitate on spending money is when I need more storage. Hard drives are fungible, to a point. Pass mark is one benchmark, and I know there is more to performance than one benchmark. I don't do much gaming, more multi-tasking. That is why I am considering spending some money, getting the quad core boost. So, at stock or light OCing, is it your opinion that the E5450 would be better that the Q6600 in overall PC performance? Keep in mind, am am stuck at 800 speed RAM with a little room for OC. 1066 is not an option.