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Q6600 vs i5 2500k - for gaming

It's kind of like this if overclocking well.

Core 2 duo
Dual core i3/i5 etc
Quad core Q6600 Q9550 etc
Quad core i5/i7
Sandybridge 2500k etc

Imo anyway from what I have read.
 
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Still running my Q6600 at 3.5GHz and I am only now starting to research a new build in a few months with a 2500K.

Only really the cutting edge games in higher settings at my 1920x1200 natibe res that are prompting an upgrade all around.
 
From the figures I'm seeing, I see no reason to upgrade for 1920*1200 just yet.

If I played Arma II or had the slightest inclination to play GTA4 perhaps... but with it BFBC2 dipping to 69FPS on high, I think I'm ok for now with my Q6600.
 
Depends on the game.

Some games are CPU limited so that will give more milage, but overall, I would sya the a graphics card is the better option.
 
Had a E5200 @ 3.6ghz and with a GTX480 I averaged 25fps on the gpu_benchmark on crysis demo. With a I5 2500K I get 38 fps on the same benchmark. And I don't think crysis utilises 4 cores (so a E5200 @ 3.6ghz will be similar performance to a overclocked Q6600) so on some games the different is massive.

P.S I do game at 1080P
 
I've still got a Q6600 sat at stock, and I game a lot on my PC includng the latest games, I am really struggling to justify spending money on a new CPU, motherboard and memory as it just isnt struggling with anything, at all.
 
atpbx said:
I've still got a Q6600 sat at stock, and I game a lot on my PC includng the latest games, I am really struggling to justify spending money on a new CPU, motherboard and memory as it just isnt struggling with anything, at all.
Click to expand...

more worrying thing, the fact its not struggling with anything and its running at stock speeds! :) just another example of why CPUs aren't the limiting factor in modern gaming!
 
i have a q8400 and i would say if you can pick up a real bargain price for like i did for £50 then get the old quad but, the sandy bridge bows everything away unless you get a defective one been a recall i believe on some
 
Another Big up for the Q6600 here.

Mine has always been at 2.4 (locked bios) but having recently teamed it up with a GTX 570 (from a 260) I can now run Crysis Warhead at 1920x1200 in Enthusiast and it never drops below 30fps.

BFBC2 is just mental - totally maxed out at 1920x1200 and the frames are through the roof.

So until a game comes along that really needs a major upgrade on the processor front I'm sticking with what I've got.

Crysis 2 could be interesting.....
 
Boge> Look for the program called SetFSB. That may help you overclock.

My choice is because of money. Given a better budget I would have gone sandybridge in a heartbeat. However, the Q6600 is more than adequate for 1920*1200 gaming so I am happy :-) I will prob add a second or better gfx card before i move up to a new platform..
 
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Boge> Look for the program called SetFSB. That may help you overclock.
Click to expand...

Hey thanks for the pointer but it seems there are people who have tried similar with the Motherboard I have and they ended up frying it. Same goes for the pin mods and all the other things people do when they've bought a Dell and wished they hadn't (yeah I know I know but I've had 3 years gaming out of this machine so far at around £150/year all in. The latest new bits, PS and graphic, will be transferred to a new build)

Can't wait to buy something that I can really push to the max though.

Hmmm SandyBridge....

Itch itch scratch scratch etc etc
 
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Had my Q6600 for years and it dealt with everything I have only just done an upgrade to i7 [email protected]
I was using a Abit ip35 pro MB and Mem was OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC2-8500C5 run my Q6600 which was D0 stepping 3.8Ghz little volt increase stable, would run over 4Ghz but got very hot and not worth the risk so I settled for 3.6Gig.
Well the Q6600 was one of the best OC chips around for some time.
But have hab this system for 3-4 weeks and it buts the Q6600 in its place along way back. But you can find nice secondhand systems around.
 
^^^ I think that's what it comes down to really, do you want to pay the price. We all know Sandybridge is good, but it's currently expensive.

Would I buy it if I had the money? Yes. Do I have the money? No.
 
I keep having to supress my upgradeitis. My Q6600 and 5850 doesnt flinch at anything i play at the minute, BC2 etc. I keep looking at the new stuff, but theres no need to yet i dont think.
 
I can play COD MW2 and BC2 Maxed all be it in DX10.1 with a Q6600 @ 4ghz and a 4870x2 at stock. So is the Q6600 really that past it? I'm amongst the first into maps, so surely there are plenty gamers out there with newer cpu's and gpu's than me?
 
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