"E6600" OR "Q6600" which is best??

o0naw0o · 9 Feb 2008 at 16:06

I have the following CPU's.....

Intel E6600 B3 Conroe 2.4GHz Dual-Core

Intel Q6600 G0 Kentsfield 2.4GHz Quad-Core

I need to sell one but I would like to know which is best for overclocking etc :confused:

I have done some temp tests using a the stock CPU cooler but I have a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme which I will connect when I decided which CPU to keep

From what I have heard there is not much need for a quad core at the moment but I dont know if the speed benefits outweigh the increased temps!?

The following temp tests have been performed with a session of SP2004 running against each core. The temps are the higest temp of any core throughout the 5 minute test. Cool temps have been taken after allowing the system to run at under 2% CPU usage for 5 mins.

Temp Test at 2.4GHz (1066MHz x9 Multi)

E6600 Cool - Core Temp = 25c / SpeedFan = 22c (Cool)
E6600 Stressed - Core Temp = 48c / SpeedFan = 45c (Cool to Safe)
Q6600 Cool - Core Temp = 32c / SpeedFan = 15c (Cool)
Q6600 Stressed - Core Temp = 58c / SpeedFan = 42c (Cool to Safe)

Temp Test at 3.2GHz (1423MHz x9 Multi)

E6600 Cool - Core Temp = 29c / SpeedFan = 25c (Cool)
E6600 Stressed - Core Temp = 64c / SpeedFan = 64c (Safe)
Q6600 Cool - Core Temp = 38c / SpeedFan = 19c (Cool to Safe)
Q6600 Stressed - Core Temp = 75c / SpeedFan = 59c (Warm)

Temp Test at 3.4GHz (1512MHz x9 Multi)

E6600 Cool - Core Temp = 31c / SpeedFan = 28c (Cool)
E6600 Stressed - Core Temp = 67c / SpeedFan = 67c (Cool to Safe)
Q6600 Cool - Core Temp = 38c / SpeedFan = 18c (Cool)
Q6600 Stressed - SYSTEM SHUTSDOWN TO PREVENT DAMAGE

So what do people think?!?!

HELP ME PLEASE :eek:

steve258 · 9 Feb 2008 at 16:14

If you don't need quad then sell it while it still worths something before the Q9*** becomes available. Temp shouldn't be a problem with the thermalright ultra 120.

If all you do is game and general apps then the E6600 should be more than enough when clocked.

o0naw0o · 9 Feb 2008 at 16:23

I really only use for gaming so I assume a clocked E6600 at 3.6GHz would be better than a clocked quad at 3.2/3.4GHz!?

Perfect_Chaos · 9 Feb 2008 at 16:29

Wouldnt it be better to buy a second hand q6600 G0? that way you wont have to worry about what your gonna use it for.

o0naw0o · 9 Feb 2008 at 16:39

Sorry? I have both a E6600 and Q6600 G0. The question is which to keep and which to sell :-)

SBD · 9 Feb 2008 at 16:43

Sell both if you can get enough cash for a E8400 or E8200

then overclock like mad!

o0naw0o · 9 Feb 2008 at 16:46

I would love too but I need the cash at the moment. When the time comes and I need to upgrade I will but should a E6600 at 3.6GHz not be sufficient for todays games??

Bomag · 9 Feb 2008 at 16:51

As you used the stock cooler the temps you quoted are fairly useless as a U120 will give much lower temps.

I have both a E6600 and a QX6700 and both max out between 3.5 and 3.6 on sensible volts (1.45-1.5v) with a U120 or U120 Extreme. A Q6600 should be just as good.

Unless you need the extra cash the Q6600 will get you I would sell the E6600 as the Q6600 will 'last' a lot longer.

o0naw0o · 9 Feb 2008 at 16:58

I appreciate the stock cooler temps are not great but surely the temps are all relative?

A U120 Extreme should overclock my E6600 to 3.6 and I would guess my Q6600 to 3.4.

Does a quad really mak ethat differencein this day and age? Would I not be better running a dual at 3.6GHz and buying a new model in a year or so??

Obvioulsy I am not an expert only assuming here so i am looking for advice

pieman109 · 9 Feb 2008 at 17:15

I did exactly what you're contemplating, selling one cpu and keeping the other. I had an E6600 but thought later on that a Q6600 would be a better bet, so I sold me E6600 and got a q6600. That lasted all of a few weeks and found that I wasn't utilising the thing at all. I only used it for gaming and usual stuff, certainly no multi application useage, and no decoding, so I flooged it and got another E6600 which performs exactly the same as me old Q6600, so I gained about £60 to put to summat else.

I'm currently waiting to see how the "wolfdale" cpus pan out wrt overclocking, heat, etc and I might have one of those later on.

o0naw0o · 9 Feb 2008 at 17:20

OK pieman you have made my mind up sell the Q6600 and clock, clock, clock!!!

Cant wait to try my U120 Extreme on it!!

I did have a QX6700 last week but I sold this as the tempratures were all over the shop!!

Thanks for your help as always peeps :-)

Bomag · 9 Feb 2008 at 17:50

o0naw0o said:
I appreciate the stock cooler temps are not great but surely the temps are all relative?

Nope the the U120 will give closer temps between the E6600 and Q6600 than the stock cooler.

With a U120 I get core temps of 65C (Prime*4) at 1.45v with a QX6700. With a U120 you are going to run into voltage or MB issues before the CPU gets too hot.