Quad Core Vs Dual Core

[moogle]

Why do people insist on saying that?

Mostly because the Duals are clocked higher and seeing as the OP with his dell can't or might not overclock if he just wants it for gaming then I think a dual core would be a better option in this situation. Me I would still go for a quad though.

[handscombmp]

Sell the Dell and build yourself a real computer which is properly upgradable

I'm tempted but i'm probaly going to wait till the i7 has been out for a year or so and the prices have dropped.

The pin mod tempts (as its nearly free) me but i assume this will create more heat and i just wonder if my cooling will cope but if its the same temps a a quad it shouldn't matter as i know they're ok. if i was to do the pin mod what would i have to use and i take it i would be best to reapply some thermal paste once i've finished the mod. (if so whats the best way of removing it). Also will i need to adjust the voltage or is the overclock so small it doesn't matter

[dangel]

Go with the quad - clocking to 3ghz is stupidly easy and they'll go far beyond that (if you think you need it).

[handscombmp]

Go with the quad - clocking to 3ghz is stupidly easy and they'll go far beyond that (if you think you need it).

But unfournatly my pc's a dell so i can't overclock unless it not using the bios and even then the maxium fsb is 1066Mhz

[!TIMMY!]

Id go for the Q6600, see if you can get one 2nd hand. I got mine for £100 a few months ago.

More cache and only 0.2ghz slower than the E4700.

[TooNice]

Gaming performance wise, it doesn't matter much. Chances are, you'll be bottlenecked by the GPU once you cramp the resolution/details up. There may be odd games that take longer to be GPU bound (higher clock is better) but there are also a couple of odd games that benefit from quad core (e.g UT3). Both more or less cancels each other out. In general though, dual core is fine for gaming (and being cheaper, offers more bang/buck), and by the time quad core become frequently supported by most new releases, it'll be time to switch platform anyway. Quad core is do provide significant advantage in a number of applications though, so consider whether you'll use those applications (including but not limited to folding and media encoding).

[handscombmp]

Gaming performance wise, it doesn't matter much. Chances are, you'll be bottlenecked by the GPU once you cramp the resolution/details up. There may be odd games that take longer to be GPU bound (higher clock is better) but there are also a couple of odd games that benefit from quad core (e.g UT3). Both more or less cancels each other out. In general though, dual core is fine for gaming (and being cheaper, offers more bang/buck), and by the time quad core become frequently supported by most new releases, it'll be time to switch platform anyway. Quad core is do provide significant advantage in a number of applications though, so consider whether you'll use those applications (including but not limited to folding and media encoding).

I don't do to much media encoding so a quad it really worth it which is why i'm going to try the pin mod (its free and if a bugger my CPU i'll just get a quad). What should i be aware of and what about voltages. I know you need car defooger paint but when i looked at halfords website they didn't sell any. do they have it instore?

[shaithis]

They should have it in store, its a cheap and common item for repairing the de-misters.

Voltages are a personal thing, depending on your CPU, cooling, case air-flow etc, will depend on what voltage you can run safely.

Personally, on air, I wouldn't go above 1.40v on an 65nm CPU.

[handscombmp]

Personally, on air, I wouldn't go above 1.40v on an 65nm CPU.

What i should have said the my voltage is currently 1.325V and i was wondering if this should be ok as its a dell and i don't think i can change them. Also am i best to re-apply some thermal paste once i've take it out and if so how do i get rid of the old stuff

[shaithis]

You can buy TIM remover, although I find some kitchen roll does a grand job

You should be fine at stock volts to around 3GHz, which is all you will be getting with this mod anyway

[sjbuck]

Get the quad, think about the future.

[Pob255]

I going to throw a spanner in the works here, looking at your specs, get a new motherboard and OC that e4300
Downside here is it one of dell's odd motherboards/cases where the cpu is at the front of the motherboard.
A standard mATX motherboard should fit in there, but wit the differnt location on the cpu you'll need a new heat sink for your cpu as well (not nesseraly a bad thing )
Thoes old dell cases are not too shabby and an overall neat solution if full of non-standard bits

[McstylisT]

For games the dual cores are better. But due to being restricted to the 65nm process , the for me your best option is the Q6600.

The new 45nm Wolfdales E8400 , E8500 are similarly priced and offer very high dual performance with excellent over clock ability.

So for you on 65nm ,, its got to be the Q6600.

McT

[360bhp]

Recently got a Q6600. Love it No slow downs for me.

[acrobat]

The duel cores are only better if they are running at a faster speed. If you can have a quad core running at a fast speed then that is the best

[360bhp]

Decent cooler and the Q6600 will run at 3.0ghz easy. Heard they can even run on the stock coolers at 3.0ghz.