Upgrade E6400? Go Quad core?

[gazjam]

I'm currently using Intel E6400 which is overclocked to 3.2Ghz.

I do a lot of 3D / CAD work and I'm looking to throw some money at my rig to get a performance leap in my 3D work.

I thought at first the potential "weakspot" is my Core 2 Duo as compared to a Quad core.

Is this right? Considering I'm running at 3.2Ghz, would I notice a significant improvement going quad core?
* My 3D apps can use all 4 cores *

If I go for a quad core, what one gives best bang for buck at the moment?


Thanks.

 

[gazjam]

thanks for that...i wasn't aware of the new cores round the corner.

I'll wait for now, cheers.

 

[gazjam]

how did you get your 6400 to 3.65Ghz?

Mine seems stable @ 3.2 but my P35 DS3p and Corsair 520W PSU would suggest I have more overclocking room?

Any tips? I'm a total noob!

 

[gazjam]

I got the E6400 to 3.6Ghz by upping the FSB to 450 and Vcore to 1.5.
Wasn't totally stable though so reduced FSSB to 425 now gettng a stable 3.4Ghz.

Not bad for a chip rated at 2.1Ghz!

 

[gazjam]

It could mabye be your PSU?
I had a bog standard "500W" one that came with my case, turned out it put out nearer to 380W.
I'm kinda new to OC too...guess I caught a lucky break?
I DID research my P35DS3p and Corsair PSU as being good overclocking hardware - so mabye thats it.

Whats your voltage? You got the CPU maxed out?

 

[gazjam]

Magic guys, you've made my mind up for me, cheers.
I wasn't really getting any performance drop at the moment, just had cash burning a hole n my pocket (for now!)
About the Artic Freezer 7 Pro, thats what I'm using with Artic Silver 5 and I can hit 3.6Ghz with it. Windows and 3d apps run fine temps within limits, its just when I play Half life 2 or whatever it crashes.

Thinking about it - could it mabye be the overclock I've done on my Ati HD2900Pro?
After magic wand wand waved at it, its now a FireGl V8600 clocked at 850/1000.

Hmnnn..need to play around with that one.
Anyway..on the CPU front I'm gonna sit tight.

Cheers guys.

 

[gazjam]

Whens the new Intel Chips coming out?

 

[gazjam]

Just ordered the G0 Q6600.
Wont have the spondoolies in the new year so best time to upgrade is now.

Gonna be a good performance jump from Dual to quad in my 3d apps.

My new rig is complete!
*(and I've enough spare parts to build a 2nd pc for network rendering)*