So I can go from a 2.4GHz to a 3.6GHz...? Holy camoly! So with that fan and heatsink, and with the RAM, mobo and case I have, I'll be able to do that, without harming my CPU too much?
Perhaps 3.4 would be suitable when you say "without harming the CPU too much". Antec 900, 2 optional Antec fans, Thermalright 120+Scythe SFF21F, you can't go wrong. I have the above components in my rig and i have had idle CPU temperature of 17 degrees celsius. Of course Q9450 (45nm).
A 3.4GHz QUAD just sounds insane, almost crazy. My current computer is so horrible, that anything is better. I just can't wait to get everything this Wednesday, and get to work! Right now, -anything- laggs my computer. I can't take this anymore. I have a somewhat limited budget right now, but I'm still working, and will be upgrading my computer as time goes by. What do you suggest changing later on, to get more juice out of it? I'm thinking the graphics card, then mobo, then...no idea.
In my opinion it is only beneficial to upgrade components in computers when we have maxed out performance with the current ones. It is also a good learning process.
Alright, so I ordered all the parts, but not from NewEgg, I found a cheap place, and I saved about 300$. I was really surprised that I saved that much, with that 300$, I can change a few parts. Should I go for the Quad Q9550?
In my opinion you would have a much better price/product purchase if you went with the Q9450. Believe me it is wonderful. For your appraisal here is the following: http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/intel_q9450/ Make sure you read it carefully.
All due respect to the other poster I'm going to have to still advise the Duo for this guy. For someone who is only going to be running a few web browser windows + music player + office software, is not going to be anywhere near demanding in the first place. I love my Q6600 to death and I almost laugh when I merely alt+tab out of high-end games to use my web browser like the system is idling, but I don't think this is what this fellow is headed towards. Considering i on my now shoddy looking C2D 1.6ghz on my laptop won't start to notice any lag after opening 40 web browsers and didn't start to crumple until I hit 73 seperate instances of my web browser open, I don't see him ever pushing a quad to anything close to the capability of a C2D. The C2Q's are definately more future proof, but in this case it just seems that the higher clocks will help him more than crazy multi-threading.
Alright, so I ordered the Q6600, and I was wondering to how much I could OC it to, without burning it and give it about 2-3 years of life.
On average most people park theirs around 3.0-3.2Ghz, which is what I am going for. People have hit 3.4/3.5 but I imagine their life expectancy isn't all that great. It's a great chip though, you're going to love it.
So, I finally got the chip today, and I OC'ed it to a 3.2GHz. I couldn't believe at the speed my programs were loaded. I'm still getting used to it all, but it is truly a beast of a chip. Cheap, affordable, OC's well, and did I say I love it? Thanks to everyone who contributed in helping me decide and choose this part. It is now my duty to help those who are in help.
I don't/won't overclock my Q6600, and at stock it's very fast indeed. I usually run DVD Rebuilder coupled with the excellent (free) HC Encoder - multi-core capable, alongside DVD Flick and ConvertXtoDVD, can also surf the net and burn dvd's while all that is going on. Fair play to you overclockers, i just want mine to last a lot longer than it would with overclocking.
I wasn`t going to OC my chip, but after thinking for a little while, I fugred I won`t keep the chip longer than 2-3 years anyways, so I might as well get as much juice out of it as I can for now. I have a good PSU, and great airflow, so I guess it`ll live more than 2-3 years anyways.
