Get an E4300 now or wait for Q6600 price drop on July 22nd?

[logiclxm]

Hi,
my current comp is very slow and was purchased in 2001. I really want to upgrade and build a new rig from scratch.

I'm not a serious gamer, but I would like to enjoy games such as: Rainbow Six, NFS series, Starcraft 2, GTA IV when they will come out. I'm not a graphic enthusiast and not planning to spend more than $200 on a video card.

I know that Quadcore technology is just at its start and current games and application have no much use for it over the C2D CPUs. However, since Intel will be dropping their Quad prices on July22nd, is it worthwhile to wait till then and purchase the Q6600.
I am not a big fan of updating computer parts and just like to update my HDD and RAM and leave it at that.
So basically, will buying an E4300 right now, with other midrange parts will gurantee a smooth performance for my rig, in terms of supporting the mentioned games and smooth and fast intternet browsing experience.(say after overclocking the E4300) for the next 2-3 yrs.

Replies would be great!

[Flewis]

The 4300 would be an excellent buy, it will overclock extremely well. The problem with the current batch of quad cores is that they get so hot. Overclocking the Q6600 is fairly difficult because it needs extra cooling. So getting a 4300 and a half decent cooler like the scythe mine for example would get you a decent clock and plenty of performance to run any current game.

[Clunk]

Another vote for the e4300 and a decent cooler.

[logiclxm]

ok cool. So I guess I will go with with the E4300. It is being recommended on many sites anf forums as having great overclocking capability.
BTW, is it allright to purchase a cooler for the E4300 once I decide to overclock it. The reason is that I want to save as much money as possible and would like to avoid buying parts which are not required immediately. That is why I am not planning to overclock immediately.

[Flewis]

The stock cooler is fine, even with a light overclock. You could probably get to 2.4GHz easily with the stock cooler and still have very reasonable temps if not a lot more. An extra cooler will be needed if you are aiming for 3GHz or more. I think the cheapest place for the chip is ebuyer with google checkout, I ordered one yesterday in fact.

[kungpo]

2.7Ghz with stock cooler is achievable. 3Ghz and beyond will need better cooling. Just got an Arctic Cooler 7, so will post results shortly. e4300 excellent buy, and way better value than the 6xx0 series it would seem.

[logiclxm]

Ok, so a stock cooler should be used before trying to overclock.

Will an ASUS P5B Deluxe motherboard be a good choice for the E4300? I read some mixed up reviews about it, but overall it is recommended by many reviewers.

[Queelis]

I think Clunk would say it would be an excellent choice

[excalibur2]

Ok, so a stock cooler should be used before trying to overclock.

Will an ASUS P5B Deluxe motherboard be a good choice for the E4300? I read some mixed up reviews about it, but overall it is recommended by many reviewers.

My system works and was very cheap following the bargains thread over the weeks and am sure there is not much difference between mine and the guys with "Ferrari" systems in normal every day use.

[Clunk]

Ok, so a stock cooler should be used before trying to overclock.

Will an ASUS P5B Deluxe motherboard be a good choice for the E4300? I read some mixed up reviews about it, but overall it is recommended by many reviewers.

Great choice

[p5-]

Ok, so a stock cooler should be used before trying to overclock.

Will an ASUS P5B Deluxe motherboard be a good choice for the E4300? I read some mixed up reviews about it, but overall it is recommended by many reviewers.

Correct me if I'm wrong anyone, but does it not make more sense to go with a P35 based chipset board, which will run the 45nm Penryn's too when they come out?

They're not much more in price.

[Clunk]

Depends if he is going to buy a penryn or not.

Same spec P35 board is about £30 more expensive.

[p5-]

I guess the Asus ones are.

Other manufacturers such as Gigabyte and MSI are around the same price.

I'm in a similar situation as him, going to upgrade right now, but unable to wait for the price drops (not sure dual core is going to drop that much anyway).

At least I'll have the option of dropping in a hopefully mainstream quad core straight in should I ever want it later on.

[Clunk]

There are several other Asus models on the way (might be already out now), might be something similar.

After MSI's last boards, I wouldnt get too excited

[tigerboyce]

yep a 4300 and p5b sounds good to me

[Goose]

Just a quick question. What is the highest load temperature i should have when overclocking my e6600?

At the moment i'm at 3Ghz ad its hitting 48C load. But i don't really know when to stop.

Any suggestions? didnt want to make a whole new thread.