Need some advice on buying a Quad

[AFK_Matrix]

I am wanting to get a Quad core and I currently have the Asus P5N-E motherboard which I belive supports the Quad core. But I maybe doing quite a bit of 3D work plus I do play games so having a quad I think would be good.

I am also in the US until 2nd December so I can get the Quad cheaper than in the uk.

Now my question is what is the best Quad to get, I will overclock as I am watercooled. Also is the Asus motherboard sufficent or would an upgrade in motherboard be worth while? If yes what motherboard should I look at?

 

[ViRuS2k]

Best is Q6600

Get yourself a better cooler though, recommended : Nocture or Thermalright Extreme 120 with Xflex Fan


Stock speeds 2.4ghz on stock vcore, or 3.0ghz on stock or 2 nudges up on the vcore
ranges from 3.0 easy to 3.6 or to 3.8-4.0 on water.

it all depends on ambiant temps aswell as chip performace to air cooling.

but the general idea is this, they are 100% top quality chips
and the 2nd rule is this, the chip wont let you down first, its generaly your fsb, motherboard that will buckle first.

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i vote for Q6600 to complement your system

Usage : Extreme multitask performance, and great gameing performance
its an allround great chip that will tie you over from now untill well it should last you about 2-3 years.

and i also recommend you get a EVGA 680I motherboard the new revisions with p31 bios have trully fixed most if not all quad overclocking issues.
they even fixed the fsb holes.. good news is this board is sli aswell

now if you dont have sli x38 boards are all sweet quad overclockers.

 

[Bony Maloney]

As Virus has said, go for the Q6600 OEM and a good heatsink. I have the Tuniq Tower 120. I got 3.0Ghz on stock vcore straight away, and it's now up to 3.4Ghz with vcore 1.4(bios) 1.34(Cpu-z). It's a fantastic chip and I am made up with it.

 

[jabski]

if you can get one cheap get a QX6850. best value get a Q6600 GO

 

[ViRuS2k]

if you can get one cheap get a QX6850. best value get a Q6600 GO

cheap ? even 3rd hand there not considered cheap lol

 

[AFK_Matrix]

Ok thanks guys. As I said I have Watercooling so won't need a heatsink, I think the Dtek Fusion should handle the Quad. I will look into the Motherboard as well thanks,

 

[GazD]

Ok thanks guys. As I said I have Watercooling so won't need a heatsink, I think the Dtek Fusion should handle the Quad. I will look into the Motherboard as well thanks,

There are improved nozzles available for the D-Tek Fuzion, which can improve performance. I will be adding this to my loop once I get a Penryn in the new year.

 

[turner0410]

I can only say how good the q6600 is, and out of the box i've clocked it to 3ghz with a tuniq cooler and temperatures under load peak around 35 degrees. I could probably go higher but i'm more than happy as it is!

 

[CyZMyAssBaby]

Ok thanks guys. As I said I have Watercooling so won't need a heatsink, I think the Dtek Fusion should handle the Quad. I will look into the Motherboard as well thanks,

D-Tek block and quad core nozzle kit is excellent. Used in conjuction with a Q6600 (GO) your temps will be extremely low even more so as you have a 120.3 rad.

 

[Dougiebabe2003]

If you can wait I would...

Penryn cores are out in a few months (granted quite a while for some...)

The new AMD's are out in a couple of weeks and if they get ANYWHERE close to the Intels then Intel will have to drop thier prices surely?

Just a thought....