Q6600 vs Q6700 after April price cuts

[rob4001]

Going to buy a quad core after the price cuts but I believe the q6700 is going to get a significant reduction to nearly q6600 price levels. So is it worth buying over q6600 will it overclock higher or is there no real difference apart from a higher multiplier.

[hermeticist]

I`d like to know as well. The current price of Q6600 is $266, the new price for Q6700 is I believe $266/270, with the Q6600 dropping to $229. Presumably the 10x multi must add something to the equation, but the only review of Q6700 that I can find is on Hexus & isn`t that favourable (though it was an early sample). Presumably they`re speed binned, so they at least should be more reliable in their overclocking potential.

[s_kinton]

As far as maximum overclocks are concerned I doubt there will be any difference between the two.

The only thing to consider is the 9x vs 10x multiplier. The higher multi means you can reach the same overclock as the lower one without pushing the fsb up as high. So basically if you've got a board that doesn't like high fsb go with the Q6700, everyone else go with the Q6600.

For most users on here the Q6600 is still the way to go. Most members have good P35 boards capable of more than enough fsb to max the chip out.

[Thorsson]

I'm not so sure. The Q6700s should be speed binned, so with the higher multiplier ensuring that FSB isn't going to be the limiting factor, you ought to get higher speeds. After all the QXs charge a premium to allow you to move the multiplier up, so $40-$50 for the higher multi doesn't seem such a bad deal to me.

[s_kinton]

I'm not so sure. The Q6700s should be speed binned, so with the higher multiplier ensuring that FSB isn't going to be the limiting factor, you ought to get higher speeds. After all the QXs charge a premium to allow you to move the multiplier up, so $40-$50 for the higher multi doesn't seem such a bad deal to me.

Well, speaking from experience (having a QX6700 and Q6600), using high end air cooling both chips overclocked to roughly the same speed. Definitely not enough to justify anything over the Q6600's price. The unlocked multi on the QX6700 made little difference in my case. I know what you are saying but I just don't think its worth the extra money.

[Webby]

You also have to remember that unless they have/are bringing out a G0 stepping Q6700 then they are all B3 which was more power hungry and didn't overclock as well (if I remember correctly). Could be a reason to stick with the Q6600 that and the lower price and proven overclocks but if you were going to leave it at stock speeds then for the extra bit of cash i guess a Q6700 would be worth a look.

[staffsMike]

I believe it's the other way around. All Q6700's are G0's which is why is why they were the first quads to find their way into the beefy laptops that use desktop chips

[GSte]

Well, speaking from experience (having a QX6700 and Q6600), using high end air cooling both chips overclocked to roughly the same speed. Definitely not enough to justify anything over the Q6600's price. The unlocked multi on the QX6700 made little difference in my case. I know what you are saying but I just don't think its worth the extra money.

That is very very unlucky mate, sorry to hear it.

[Kilmatead]

I believe it's the other way around. All Q6700's are G0's which is why is why they were the first quads to find their way into the beefy laptops that use desktop chips

Unlikely. My Q6800 is definitely B3 stepping... maybe all the xx50's are different, but certainly not the originals. It's somewhat a moot point anyway as all Quads like as much bandwidth as you can give them, so FSB is the only way to go. Upping the multi will give you a higher number to impress your friends but performance/throughput would be rubbish (that is to say, no real improvement).

If you can't spring for the new chips, a Q6600 is the only choice.

[Thorsson]

I looked at the announcement - the Q6700s are definitely G0s.