Retro CPU upgrade - is it worth it?

[jonas123]

Hi all, a slightly different question than most.

I'm currently running a somewhat old system by most standards on here - core2duo E6750 with a Radeon 4970 or something similar. Being strapped for cash, I was looking at getting a bit of a boost for as little £ as possible. Main uses are gaming (BF3 was the latest I've played, hopefully some more Civilization in the future if I can find the time).

I was thinking of getting an E8600 off fleabay, can pick one up for £30. Do you think the increase in performance would be noticeable. I think it's the CPU rather than gcard that's limiting things at the moment (some stutter on BF3 for example)

Thanks

 

[Armageus]

Check your board supports them before ordering one, as not all boards support the 45nm processors.

Avoid the E8600 as being the fastest chip it commands a premium, the E8500 is probably better value and not much slower.

If you board is half decent, you should be able to overclock it over 3.5Ghz with little effort.

I went from an E5300 to a E8500 and the difference was definitely noticable, the bigger cache made some difference. I have since moved onto a Pentium Anniversary + cheapest Z97 board I could find, and the difference was even more immense (even keeping the same 4890 graphics card)

 

[SlugForAButt]

To be honest, I'd check your board and see if it will take C2Q. You can pick up a Q6600 forabout £30 these days. You'll see a much bigger improvement I think.

 

[andy_mk3]

I've just upgraded a relative's PC from an E6400 to a Q6600, plus a used 240GB SSD that I picked up for £40, and 4GB of ram I had laying around. It's absolutely transformed it.

 

[SlugForAButt]

Indeed, and games like BF3 need more cores.
Upgrading to another C2D is no upgrade really these days.

 

[andy_mk3]

My Q6600 paired with a 6950 would play BF3 on Ultra absolutely fine.

 

[SlugForAButt]

Nice combination.
My Q9650 & 6950 flew through any games too.
I only upgraded to 1155 for SATA 6gig and kicks really.