Help me decide...

[Mucky_Pup]

Well after nearing the completion of my rig, I have thought about changing the processor I was planning on putting in it, so need some help deciding.

Current rig:

- Asus Rampage Formula Intel X48
- GeIL 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Black Dragon DDR2
- Coolermaster Real Power 850w Modular PSU
- Noctua NH-U12P CPU Cooler
- Samsung SpinPoint F1 640GB HDD

Getting:

- Powercolor ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 2048MB GDDR5
- Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit

Now, initally I was planning on putting in a DC E8600, but looking at the graphics card, do you think it would be of much more benefit if I put in something like a Q9300, or Q9550, when it is primarily going to be a gaming rig.

Cheers

 

[pastymuncher]

Well after nearing the completion of my rig, I have thought about changing the processor I was planning on putting in it, so need some help deciding.

Current rig:

- Asus Rampage Formula Intel X48
- GeIL 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Black Dragon DDR2
- Coolermaster Real Power 850w Modular PSU
- Noctua NH-U12P CPU Cooler
- Samsung SpinPoint F1 640GB HDD

Getting:

- Powercolor ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 2048MB GDDR5
- Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit

Now, initally I was planning on putting in a DC E8600, but looking at the graphics card, do you think it would be of much more benefit if I put in something like a Q9300, or Q9550, when it is primarily going to be a gaming rig.

Cheers

With a 4870x2 you need an overclocked quad to get the best from it. See here. I would go for the 9550 for the extra cache. 12mb compared to the 6mb of the 9300.

 

[Mucky_Pup]

What sort of speed would I comfortabley be able to get out of the 9550, with my spec?

 

[pastymuncher]

What sort of speed would I comfortabley be able to get out of the 9550, with my spec?

Have'nt a clue as i have no expreience with one of these but i would expect 3.6Ghz+ at least. The board and ram certainly won't be holding it back.

 

[PaulyD]

Most Q9550 can do 4.0Ghz quite easily, either C1 or E0 stepping.

 

[Popov]

Well if nothing else a highly clocked quad with that graphics card will get you some high numbers in benchmark programs, just think of the epeen