Core 2 or quad?

[GartMon]

Do you think that a core2 like the e8400 at 3.0ghz will stand the test of time for games? Im talking 2-3years, or would a quad core, and at lower clock rate like 2.5 ghz be a better investment. The core2's are cheap with high clock rate, the quads are more expensive with lower clock rate. I'm still not sure about overclocking, so lets leave that out of the discussion for now.

What's the best option for money/longevity for games.

[MATRIX 2]

Do you think that a core2 like the e8400 at 3.0ghz will stand the test of time for games? Im talking 2-3years, or would a quad core, and at lower clock rate like 2.5 ghz be a better investment. The core2's are cheap with high clock rate, the quads are more expensive with lower clock rate. I'm still not sure about overclocking, so lets leave that out of the discussion for now.

What's the best option for money/longevity for games.

Currently, the E8400 will give you better performance in games compared to a lower speed quad core processor. But in 2-3 years quad core processors should be the norm, nearly all games will take advantage of 4 cores.

I would go with a q6600, same price as the e8400. the newer quad cores are a bit faster, but they don't over clock as well as the q6600 and they are more expensive.

So, I think the Q6600 is best for your situation. if you need more performance, you can overclock. In a few years you can upgrade to a better cheaper processor.

[Straits]

Imo Q6600 overclocked to 3.0Ghz (on stock cooler!) is still the winner for price + performance at the moment.

[GartMon]

Thanks for the suggestions. Q6600 is looking to be best option thus far.

[MiNiMaL_sAnItY]

I've had a q6600 since last year, best option for games like alan wake, which will utilize it, but also under budget.

[GartMon]

Whats a good motherboard if i want to overclock? I know I said I didn't want to talk about overclocking but im a hypocrite, so sue me.

[Vulgotha]

..Core2Duo = Quad Cores.. Physically the Core2Duo's have 4 cores.

Currently I'm using an AMD Phenom Quad clocked at 2.2Ghz. Nothing can make this thing sweat.

[GartMon]

I know core2duo has 4 cores..I'm not confused on that aspect..


Edit:err oops, core2duo just means 2 cores.

Either way, I understand that one has 2 and one has 4

[360DiedOnMe]

..Core2Duo = Quad Cores.. Physically the Core2Duo's have 4 cores.

Currently I'm using an AMD Phenom Quad clocked at 2.2Ghz. Nothing can make this thing sweat.

i'm sorry to hear that. IMO, INTEL FTW by far. get the Q6600 OP

[Centurion]

..Core2Duo = Quad Cores.. Physically the Core2Duo's have 4 cores.

What does that mean exactly? I'm under the impression that Core 2 Duo has 2 cores, and Core 2 Quad has 4 cores

[GartMon]

What does that mean exactly? I'm under the impression that Core 2 Duo has 2 cores, and Core 2 Quad has 4 cores

Yeah I was too untill he said core2duo meant 4 cores, and got me confused also. No big deal.

[Centurion]

Intel says that Core 2 Duo is two cores, and Core 2 Quad is 4 cores, and I trust their judgement.

[georaldc]

core2quads are just 2 core2duos squished together to form 4 cores. If you ask me, you could go with a G0 q6600 and overclock it to 3.0ghz+ but I'm happy with my e8400 right now. Even at stock 3ghz, its pretty damn fast. You could even oc it to 3.6 or even more with just the stock cooler, and get to 4ghz if you have a decent cpu cooler. Also, unless you're into 3d rendering, video editing, photo editing etc, I don't think quads are really needed now since only so few games use 4 cores (lost planet, supreme commander, flight simulator?). Even crysis doesn't use more than 2 cores.

[GartMon]

Crysis doesn't use more then 2 cores? That is fail for a game that is supposed to be on the bleeding edge of technology.

Even if it is 2 corde2duos, its still using 4 cores at once, so how does it make a difference?

[Playstation_3]

Ive got a Q6600 GO stock speed is 2.4GHz ive overclocked mine to 3.6GHz x4 14.4GHz. using air with Artic cooler pro 7 heatsink, for future proof go with the Quad Core Q6600 combined with a decent video card it will eat any game out there. even crysis. i play COD 4 alot and mine is maxed out on the FPS all the time.

[One-Shot]

I had to make the same decision and I went with the q6600. Seemed like it is future proofing it.

[elfonzerio]

I went q6600. Stock it's slow oc it and it will scream.

[BLUEDOG314]

if you get a q6600 make sure its a G0 stepping, get a good cooler, and overclock it. for example, i have the q6600, a zalman cnps9500, and an asus p5k-e motherboard. since my motherboard supports fsb 1333, all i have to do is bump the fsb to 333mhz from 266, adjust the memory divider so the ram isnt going crazy, and you have 3ghz no problem. on the other hand the e8400 has been known to do 4+ ghz. its a matter of what you need it for, i encode so i benefit from quad core. just watch your temps, i think i may have to reseat my heatsink because im at 68C load at 3ghz with stock voltage, probably a little too hot for what its running at.

also, a core 2 quad is just two core 2 duo dies on one chip, not native quad core. i think people were confusing dies with cores.

[Vulgotha]

Wow. You guys are wrong. Core2Dou = Quad

CoreDou = 2 physical cores.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_2


So I'm not sure what you're talking about- Intel describes Core2Duo's as having 4 cores.

[Centurion]

Wow. You guys are wrong. Core2Dou = Quad

CoreDou = 2 physical cores.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_2


So I'm not sure what you're talking about- Intel describes Core2Duo's as having 4 cores.

I'm sorry but you're mistaken. Core Duo and Core 2 Duo both have two cores. Core 2 Quad has 4 cores.

[Vulgotha]

., Y'know I really do hope I'm wrong. Too confusing for it to be called the Core2Duo and have 4 cores.

I'm looking.


Yup I totally goofed up on the names. My bad guys! You were all right!

[GuitarrassDeAmor]

I'm sorry but you're mistaken. Core Duo and Core 2 Duo both have two cores. Core 2 Quad has 4 cores.

Correct.


Go Quad....why would you go with a processor with less cores if you could afford one with more? It will multi task better and has a higher clock usually (3.0 Dual < 2.0 Quad).

[The_One]

Just for the record, this thread title is EXTREMELY misleading.

Both Core 2 Duo's and Core 2 Quads are based on the Core 2 architecture!

Core Duo was its predecessor, and were essentially based on Pentium M's, which in turn was based on Pentium 3's.

[GuitarrassDeAmor]

Just for the record, this thread title is EXTREMELY misleading.

Both Core 2 Duo's and Core 2 Quads are based on the Core 2 architecture!

Core Duo was its predecessor, and were essentially based on Pentium M's, which in turn was based on Pentium 3's.

Pentium M's were based on P4's if I am correct.

[Centurion]

Pentium M's were based on P4's if I am correct.

Not true. The Pentium 4 processors used the NetBurst microarchitecture, the Pentium-M processors are P6.