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Thread ID: 107795 2010-03-02 02:32:00 OC Core 2 Duo or get Core 2 Quad or i7 Overhaul? almightynugget (13536) Press F1
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863076 2010-03-02 02:32:00 I've been thinking about either Overclocking my Core 2 Duo to its maximum with an aftermarket fan (Thermalright 120 Extreme) dunno how much i can go till...

Or buying a Core 2 Quad

Or just getting an i7 Setup for around $1000

The PC is being used for gaming... mainly and my CPU is a huge bottle neck.

CPU: Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 2.8 GHz Stock Cooler
GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 5850
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4
RAM: 3.5GB
OS: Vista Home Premium 32bit
Case: Thermaltake Matrix Mid tower

I will still have to save up a heap if i am to buy the i7 setup or just save up a bit more for the Core 2 Quad.

Right now im able to run crysis/Warhead just over 30 FPS and i want to play it really well and also future proof my system for at least 2 years more of gaming till i have to do a massive upgrade.

I plan on getting a second HD 5850 down the line when it cant max out games anymore so its mainly the CPU im wanting to future proof for the next 2 years. (minimum)

- So should i get an after market fan and OC my CPU NOW and buy the i7 upgrade in 8 months?

- Get a quadcore in a months time?

- Get an i7 upgrade in 3-4 months time?

Please help me i have done the research but i want to know what other people would do in my shoes.

Thanks
almightynugget (13536)
863077 2010-03-02 03:10:00 Wait and get an i7 Deimos (5715)
863078 2010-03-02 03:11:00 which also means new mobo nedkelly (9059)
863079 2010-03-02 03:20:00 If you are planning on eventually getting 2x 5850s, I would wait for the i7. wratterus (105)
863080 2010-03-02 03:51:00 alienbabeltech.com

My suggestion is if you don't have the odd $1000 for then get a second hand Q9xxx CPU or just overclock you E6600 to 3.2GHz+, which should be nicely achievable under a TRUE120.
qazwsxokmijn (102)
863081 2010-03-02 18:40:00 The only real answer to your question is get an i7. It will meet all your needs for quite some time. You realise of course you will probably have to get a new computer.There's not much in your present box you will be able to use.
If money is the problem I would suggest you don't spend anything on your present rig. Just save,save, save.
Jack
JJJJJ (528)
863082 2010-03-02 19:13:00 I would also suggest you stay with one GPU, micro-stutter or waiting for AMD game profiles is still an issue. If the 5850 is not enough??, get the 5870. SolMiester (139)
863083 2010-03-02 19:16:00 Well its interesting, we are seeing more and more games benefit from quads.

Most of them are either co-developed for consol or strait ports. Dragon Age, Mass Effect2, Boderlands to name a few. I think its poor codeing probably ported from the Xbox360 but either way they are horendous CPU hogs as long as you have a higher end GPU that is not the bottleneck early. Even a Core2 duo @3gig are starting to struggle in some of these. Crysis is not a CPU hog by today's standard as it fully optimised for PC.

One example....There's patches to improve things now but u get the idea.
www.pcgameshardware.com



"If" the trend continues you might be struggling, but I guess a $120 after market cooler may get you to 3.4Ghz as long as your board and processor will get you there, which may see you ok for a while.
Battleneter2 (9361)
863084 2010-03-03 04:47:00 Console ports are probaly the reason that higher end gaming gear still sells. GTA4 for example is terribly unoptimized.

Before my i7 I had an e6600, had it OC'd easily to 3.6ghz on water. Was enough grunt to play most games max settings. With an aftermarket cooler you should be over the 3ghz mark which will keep your system fast enough while you save for i7, and its worth the save. It was even worth the impulse buying I did lol
hueybot3000 (3646)
863085 2010-03-03 04:48:00 . hueybot3000 (3646)
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