Windows XP (32bit) and Quad core CPU

mdallen

mdallen

mdallen

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12 Nov 2007
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7
Hiya all

Planning up upgrading my P4-3.2g to a 6600 quad core (that runs slower but been told as its quad core it will be better for games ?) anyway my question is i currently run Windows XP Pro (32bit) when i move to this fancy new 64bit CPU am i going to be bottlenecking it or anything by running a 32bit OS. I cant really afford a 64bit OS at mo and dont want to go the illegal route.

All i want the CPU for is games really (Everquest, Crysis, HL2) etc

No interest in paint programs etc

Thanks in advance for any info
 
Yes your machine will be quicker - however not really because of the quad cores.
You are moving away from the old Pentium 4 core to the new Core2 and it is that which makes the biggest difference.
Raw processor speed has fallen, however because the Core2 is just so advanced it will run your machine quicker.

Quad core may not be you best way forward.
Some games will make use of a dual-core setup, very few will really make use of all 4 cores.
You might want to consider a really quick dual-core CPU rather than a quad core.

32bit/64bit - this doesn't really matter.
The Core2 CPU's are hybrid CPU's and run 32bit & 64bit code as well as each other, so no you won't be causing yourself any problems sticking to a 32bit OS.
 
Thanks a lot, thats some good advice ive been looking for, Was thinking about the following 2 items up to now, still unsure of the m/b as im not really bothered about crossfire at all as i have a nvidia 8800gt.

OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-8000C5 1000MHz ReaperX HPC Enhanced Bandwidth Edition Dual Channel DDR2 (OCZ2RPX10004GK) £76.36 inc VAT

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail £170.36



I guess for the same amount of money i could get
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 "LGA775 Conroe" 3.00GHz (1333FSB) - Retail £176.24

Ive got no real interest in overclocking it but......... would it make more sence to go for the quad and just run it overclocked and have the 2 spare cores (just in case anything does start supporting it)
 
I would say yes as quad cores are excellent, well worth the money in my opinion, the 3ghz core 2 duo is good but if the motherboard your getting has a auto overclock feature then use that as it will most likely put your quad over the 3ghz mark and saves having to fiddle around with bios features, and the ram is an excellent choice aswell, i have the exact same and its most excellent, i would go with this mobo- http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-110-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=946
its prettymuch what i have and its excellent also, i use the word excellent a lot i know but these items really are superb.
 
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Thanks for the link to the M/B i was starting to pull my hair out over all the choices, BTW do you think i should go for the retail 6600 with stock intel fan or get a 3rd party cooler, i have a Antek 900 ultimate games case with extra fans so airflow is very good.
 
Bit off topic for channel but it follows on from the m/b you suggested im confused over
- 2 x PCI Express x16 slots supporting ATI CrossFire™ technology
- 3 x PCI Express x1 slots
- 2 x PCI slots

I use a 8800gt so have no interest in crossfire but as this has 3 x pci express slots can i add another 8800gt at some point, no idea what else you suppose to put in a express slot
 
Sadly no, its an ati xfire mobo but you can use a single nvidia card with it, and to your other question id get a 3rd party cooler anyway, oh and id go for the retail version as you get a longer warranty, you can never be too careful, the cooler i have is a titan amanda, its the size of a small baby and takes up a card slot but boy does it do its job, heres a link-
http://www.titan-cd.com/eng/heatpipe/amanda.html
im not sure if OcUk still stocks it but if it doesnt then heres another one thats just also very good and looks great if you plan to put a side window in your antec case-
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-016-AS&tool=3
Need anymore help or advice just ask.
 
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