To Quad or not to Quad

[washe]

Finally got enough money to get a decent upgrade on my current computer

Was aiming initially at this

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail


But looking at the quad i found

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail


I can buy the quad even is a bit more expensive...

Checked benchmarks and they are rougly close, the dual core is a bit faster on games but its marginal.

The main use of the machine will be gaming, Ill probably upgrade to windows vista 64 due I got 4GIG on ram and I expect a more proper use of the dual core then XP 64

Buying the following mobo

GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail


Final question would be worth the extra cash on the Quad?

Cheers!

[KarmaKiller]

For strictly gaming, no, the dual core would be the better way to go. At least, that would yield higher FPS.
Now if you use that PC for anything other then gaming, I'd say go for the Quad. You can do SOOOOOOOO much more with a Quad. It's simply better for multi-tasking.
Do you plan on Overclocking?

[RamonGTP]

I think it's a no brainier personally, even for gamers. Yes, in most games (though there are some that scale well to 2+ cores) the dual CAN give you better fps, and I say can because of this. Most people like us are overclockers, and a Q6600 can easily hit over 3GHz, which, unless you're playing and low resolutions, is enough processing power for even games that only use 2 cores to make the video card the limiting factor in fps.

The other issues is obviously multi-tasking. With several games now easily consuming 2 cores on their own, it doesn't take much more to effectively take advantage of a quad core even if the game itself cannot. Personally I don't like having to exit applications, kill processes or disable my sidebar when I'm gaming. I enjoy being able to keep my side bar on, Azuraus running, an instance or two of VPC running and still enjoy my game without lag.

Of course there are other important factors that will determine how well you can do all that besides your processor, such as ram and hard drive configuration. A quad core will likely be limited in what it can do if you have all these applications reading and writing to the same hard drive.

[KarmaKiller]

Also, I have to say, the difference in FPS from a dual to a Quad is nothing major. I got roughly 3-4 FPS more when I was on my OC'd dual core compared to my current Quad. So there is no night and day difference.
Another thing that hasn't been mentioned yet, is future proofing. Though the dual core may game better now, a couple of months from now more and more games/apps are going to be taking advantage of multiple cores. So really, the Quad offers more future proofing too.
If you don't want to have to upgrade you computer for 2-3 years, I'd be going with the Quad..

[washe]

Yeah most likely this upgrade will have to old at least 2 years... better if it can be 3..

I have never been a maniac on FPS, I never buy top of the edge too, currently I plan to use my 7600GT for at least december until new cards come out and the 9500 gets more closer to $120 bucks range.

I have two harddisks, one for the OS 80GIG and one for data 250GB..

The main disk is usually partitioned to dual boot.

Thanks for the input

Cheers!

[KarmaKiller]

Quote:

9500 gets more closer to $120 bucks range.

What 9500?
Did you mean the 9600GT? If so, they are around $120 after rebates already. But I would pick up a 8800GT, they are cheaper most of the time now, and perform a little better then the 9600GT does..

[batmeat]

Washe, the E3110 from intel is the same processor as the 8400 except it's labled as a xeon. It also costs less. It's what I use right now.

Just checked around, guess I got in at the right time. I can't find it cheaper anymore.

[KarmaKiller]

Quote:

$170 - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 + ECS G31T-M Motherboard (Frys #582070)

Deal: Fry's instore 4th of July sale.. - ResellerRatings Store Ratings, Shopping, Deals, and Bargains

[washe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarmaKiller

Deal: Fry's instore 4th of July sale.. - ResellerRatings Store Ratings, Shopping, Deals, and Bargains

Im located in Mexico.... but can order to Newegg

And yes it was the 9600GT...

No rebates for me here, I only have a PO BOX no street address or phone to request them.

[KarmaKiller]

Yeah, i saw that after I posted it.
sorry