Ok so I am having some trouble making a decision here...I built an amazing computer for gaming, 8 GB of DDR2-800 RAM, 3 9800 GTX's in SLI, 1200 W PSU, Zalman 9700 NT CPU cooler, but I did skimp out on the processor in comparison an got an E2180 so I could save some money, but the processor is amazing don't get me wrong, but I also have been looking at getting the CPU up to par in terms of comparison to other parts of the computer, but I cant decide what to get. I won't get an extreme its not worth the price but here is what I am thinking about:

E8400
E8500
Q6700
Q9450

But I can't choose! First off if I decide dual core and get one of the E8xxx I'm wondering if the E8500's price tag is worth the extra half multiplier although my first guess is probably not. The same question goes for the Q6700 or the Q9450. I like that the Q9450 is 45nm and is one of the reasons I got my 780i board (another being Tri SLI ) but it also only has an 8x multiplier whereas the Q6700 has a 10x multiplier. That being said, I don't think that I'd use all of the 10x and would probably have to drop it to an 8x (because for me, a 1:1 ratio or 400 FSB is priority and 10x400 is 4 GHz which I believe to highly unlikely especially considering I'm on air cooling) so in the end I think I'll be sitting at 3.2 GHz again.

So obviously my current E2180 at 3.0GHz (400x8) would be ousted by either quad-core for extra cores at the same speed or ousted for the dual cores for the larger cache and the proven ability to overclock to 4.0+, so:

1) Get the E8400 and OC it and the RAM to 445 FSB for 4.0 GHz because of the higher clock speed. This would allow me to avoid the higher price tag of the E8500 just for the extra multiplier as well as the QXXXX's for their cores.

2) Get the E8500 and OC it and the RAM to 420 FSB for 4.0 GHz because of the higher clock speed. This would cost more but it would be less taxing on my RAM and probably would allow me to keep from buying DDR2-1066. It would also not be as expensive as the QXXXX's

3) Get the Q6700 and OC it to 400 FSB and drop the multiplier so that it becomes stable. This would allow me to keep the same clock speed I have now and possibly a little higher as well as getting extra cores. Because it is a 65nm CPU it is older and less expensive than the Q9450 and also has a larger multiplier.

4) Get the Q9450 and OC it to 400 FSB or possibly higher. This would allow me to keep at least the same clock speed as well has have the extra cores and maybe a little higher clock with some RAM overclocking. It is also 45nm and runs slightly cooler than the Q6700.

So my basic question boils down to: Dual core + or - 4.0 GHz OR Quad Core 2.6-3.6 GHz. I really really want a quad core, the Q6600 had been my original choice before I got the E2180 but I'm wondering how much of a difference I'd notice at 4.0 versus 3.2 or maybe even 3.6. At this point I'm leaning toward the Q6700. And if I get quad core, the real difference between the Q6700 and the Q9450 in my case is the 65 vs 45nm and is the 45nm really worth the extra price?

Quickly, I also noticed that in the quad core area, the Q9450 offers SSE4 instructions whereas the Q6700 does not...I know what SSE4 is but am I ever likely to encounter a situation where not having SSE4 will cause me major problems running certain applications or a type of app that SSE4 is optimized for that would result in a significant advantage? (I'm not talking saving 8 seconds off compressing a file either)

Go for the clock... no, go for the cores... no, go for the.......... I believe you have enough information to make a decision. Get a dart board and...

If you decide on the Q6700 get the Q6600, no need to waste money.

I'll vote for the Q9450

Q9450 to keep with the rest of the hi-spec system.

I would go with the Q9450 as well. It runs cooler and has the extra cache which is a good thing. You can also overclock the piss out of the thing or so I hear. Dual core cpu's are going to be yesterdays news when more quad-core optimized games are out.

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/intel_q9450/

The overclockersclub did a review of the Q9450 and the benchmarks included the Q6600 among other processors. Take a look at it.

William

P.S. If you end up deciding on the Q9450 consider shopping at Microcenter.com. They have the all-powerful Newegg beaten by $40 before any S&H. In any event you will save money by going through Microcenter. I love Newegg, but money is money.

E8400 or Q9450.

Hrmmm all sounds good, but definitely the Q9450 over the Q6700? I'm just worried about the multiplier. Kinda how I was with the E2160, I went and got the E2180 instead. Hrmm what about the Q9550? I haven't looked around much to see if I can find it cheaper than new eggs steep price but How does it compare. Anybetter? Worth it?

You spent how much on the video cards to get 3 way SLI (which is a complete waste of money) , and now you are worring over the price of a decent CPU?

q9450 if you can afford it, q6600 if not. microcenter has them for $180

Amazing. You got 3 9800GTX in tri Sli and couldn't afford a processor?

that is odd, but i reccomend q6600 @3.6 if you can... whatever u get, make sure you have a decent heatsink

+1

q9450, just buy it