CPU Advice

Wipster · 7 Feb 2010 at 20:54

Hey all,
I have been running my old E4500 for a while now and while allright its not great and I feel I need some more juice. I dont wana do a complete overhaul to an i processor because I dont want to upgrade everything.
My target for FSB is 500Mhz, my board should beable to do in this range (I have seen others get it higher) and my target for CPU freq is 4Ghz

I have been looking at the Q9400 and the Q9550, I'm guessing the latter will have a greater chance of meeting these reqs. What are peoples experiances with these chips, is there as FSB wall I need to be aware of and can they even be pumped this high on air (Tuniq Tower). And finally what would you recommend?
Much thanks.

Akempster · 8 Feb 2010 at 11:39

if you upgrade your cpu which requires a different socket you will have to update te mobo as well, if your running xp the change in CPU or mobo can cause issues with the OS and will require you to re-register the product by entering your product key.

HeX · 8 Feb 2010 at 11:43

You won't get 500FSB on a Q9XXX on an X38, you will need a P45 board to achieve that.

Wipster · 8 Feb 2010 at 12:58

Thanks Hex, thats a bit of a shame. Do you know what makes the p45 able and the x38 not?

bifday2k · 8 Feb 2010 at 13:26

Simple and short answer is newer chipset really.

If you can find 2nd hand Ibit P35 pros' or Msi P35 neo2 Fr's they will do 500+ fsb.

But newer P45's realisticly if your going to be getting new, from asus or gigabyte.

pastymuncher · 8 Feb 2010 at 14:16

Gigabyte EP45-UD3P is the daddy of P45 boards. Capable of 500fsb with a 45nm quad. I looked at over 30 online retailers this morning though and not one had it in stock or even listed.