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Thinking about Upgrading my Processor... (Read 227 times)

May 3^rd, 2009 at 9:49pm

Isak922 Offline
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Consider yourself badgered!!!
Connecticut

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Posts: 1528

Right now I have an ASUS P5LP-LE, which supports an LGA-775 Socket-Type for a processor.

Currently, I have a Pentium D 940 in my machine. 3.2GHz dual core processor... Nothing fancy, but workable for gaming.

If I were to upgrade to a newer Dual Core, or even a Quad Core CPU, how much of a performance increase could I expect? I know not many games currently make use of all four cores in a Quad, so I'm slightly leaning towards a Core 2 right now.

Looking on Newegg, I see a few options for what I can use... But I'm honestly not sure which to go with.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010340343%205000115...

That's a list of all the processors that my machine should be able to handle without much issues.

On that list, all are within my budget except the QX9770 ($1,499.99).

So, I'm a bit lost. Obviously Quad-Core's have more power to them... Power that I may or may not be able to use with the games I play (All sorts, Crysis and FSX being the most demanding currently).

What sort of performance will an E8600 give over my currently Pentium D 940? 800MHz FSB vs 1333MHz; 2MB L2 Cache VS 6MB L2; 3.2GHz Clock VS 3.33GHz?

Will it even be a notable difference? Would a Quad like the Q9650 be better in the long run?

Are there any Intel processors out there other than what's on the list that you might recommend instead?

Here are a few other key specs from my system:
3.5GB DDR2 PC5300 (4x1GB sticks, 32 bit OS limits it to 3.5)
BFG Nvidia GeForce 9800GT; 1024MB of DDR3 RAM, Overclock Edition.

Suggestions are welcome... I know a fair amount about computers, although; There are certainly others out there who will make me feel stupid Tongue

4GB DDR2 PC5300; 3.2GHz Pentium D 940, Nvidia 9800GT 1024MB DDR3, Windows XP Pro SP3

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Reply #1 - May 4^th, 2009 at 9:58am

machineman9 Offline
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From my knowledge, I'd say you have 2.75GB RAM (Graphics card memory, AFAIK, is part of that 32-bit memory limit. So take that 1GB away from the roughly 3.5GB limit and you have 2.5GB memory)

That's unrelated though, but I suppose if you wanted to save a smidgen of electricity or have a RAM module saved for later, you could take one out and still have the same amount.

On topic: There isn't really much need for quad core at all these days. You are best sticking with a good dual core. You may find that quad core will start to come into the mainstream when you next have to upgrade/get a new computer, so I would save it for then.

It also seems your motherboard will support up to 1066MHz and will only take E6x00 or E4x00 Core2Duo processors (forgetting the older processors it could handle). None of the processors on the link you gave seem to fit that catagory.

But see if anyone else can suggest something. But I looked for your motherboard and it came up with This page saying the specs.

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Reply #2 - May 4^th, 2009 at 11:04am

Isak922 Offline
Colonel
Consider yourself badgered!!!
Connecticut

Gender:
Posts: 1528

I was not aware of the 1066MHz limit!

Do you, or anyone else know; if using a 1333MHz in my MOBO would cause any unwanted issues?

4GB DDR2 PC5300; 3.2GHz Pentium D 940, Nvidia 9800GT 1024MB DDR3, Windows XP Pro SP3

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Reply #3 - May 4^th, 2009 at 2:41pm

machineman9 Offline
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Nantwich, England

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Atleast with memory....

When you are using memory rated quicker than what your motherboard can take (e.g using 1066MHz memory when your mobo can only handle 800MHz) the memory will downclock. It will be as if you bought and installed 800MHz memory, because you can't handle anything quicker. So with memory, if you buy higher, you will still be able to use it, but it will make itself slower.

With processors, no idea. Possibly a similar concept, but I imagine other things will cause incompatibility errors too.

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