Core2 Duo vs Core 2 Quad

[dudaflp]

I am buying a new processor for my computer, and i don't know which one of these two is the best one
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
Core Kentsfield
Multi-Core Quad-Core
Name Core 2 Quad Q6600
Operating Frequency 2.4GHz
FSB 1066MHz
L1 Cache 64KB+64KB
L2 Cache 2 x 4MB
Manufacturing Tech 65 nm
64 bit Support Yes
Hyper-Threading Support No
Virtualization Technology Support Yes
Multimedia Instruction MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, EM64T
Voltage 0.85V – 1.5V



or this
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
Core Conroe
Multi-Core Dual-Core
Name Core 2 Duo E6850
Operating Frequency 3.0GHz
FSB 1333MHz
L1 Cache 32KB+32KB
L2 Cache 4M shared
Manufacturing Tech 65 nm
64 bit Support Yes
Hyper-Threading Support No
Virtualization Technology Support Yes
Multimedia Instruction MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, EM64T
Voltage 0.962V-1.350V


Can somebody tell me the differences of them and which one is better??
Thanks!!

[stopthekilling77]

what are you going to be using your PC the most for?

i'd only go with the quad core if you absolutely need to have 4 cores for your multi-threaded programs. at this point in the game, the Core 2 Duos are working fantastically for everyone who has them, and the quad cores put out a significantly larger amount of heat than the C2Duos.

by the way, you cant go wrong with the E6750 Core 2 Duo, which is in my machine. FSB of 1333, and stock at 2.66Ghz. overclocks quite well if you're into that kinda thing

but that E6850 running at 3.0Ghz stock is grand to if you want to foot the extra money!
so basically if you NEED 4 cores, go for it, but if not the dual-core is the way to go!

[dotslasher]

stopthekilling77 is correct.

Not many programs are optimized for quad core cpus. (only a few major dev companies make an effort in making their software quadcore optimized/compatible , like photoshop)
If you are a gamer then you may want to go for a Core 2 Duo because the differences are minimal or in most cases better than quad cores. 99% of the current games utilize 2 cores at best. So then you are left with a (usually slower clocked) quad core which will only be using 2 cores.

But in the future quad core optimized games and software will be plenty. So it all depends how you look at it.

Quad core (or more) will be the future. But now Dual cores still reign supreme. (in my opinion)

So for now i'd go for your Intel Core 2 Duo E6850. And in a year or 2 you can still upgrade to a quadcore if you really need it.

Best of luck

[FZ1]

but that E6850 running at 3.0Ghz stock is grand to if you want to foot the extra money!

The E6850 is $280?? Easily worth the $100 for almost .4GHz out of the box
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115028

[kenc51]

but that E6850 running at 3.0Ghz stock is grand to if you want to foot the extra money!

The E6850 is $280?? Easily worth the $100 for almost .4GHz out of the box
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115028

QFT
They can also overclock nicely too

[stopthekilling77]

i'm poor man! lemme alone

[FZ1]

Nice, Ken. I might pick one up instead of dropping a grand on the QX's

[Indignity]

Yeah, i'm quite amazed that there haven't been more applications made to multi-thread to take advantage of the additional CPU cores...

The apps I use frequently that do are from the Adobe CS collection & Cinema Craft Encoder.. I know there's a bunch more, but yeah the improvement in speeds are incredible vs. single core!

I say if you want something to rock straight outta the box, go with the 6850 & if you want to be future-proof for a bit, go with the Q6600.

Enjoy it!!!

[FZ1]

Ken, what are your system specs now? Are you on water?

[kenc51]

Ken, what are your system specs now? Are you on water?

See sig!

Current setup is:

E6850 @ 3.6 - 1.375v (1.35v vcore stock) - I need to push ~1.55v to get 3.96GHz
2GB G.Skill PC8000 DDR2 @ 800MHz - 3-3-3-8 + tight sub timings - 2.25v
P5K Deluxe - Black slots for Ram
8800GTS 640MB - Stock cooler + Freq
Seasonic M12 700W PSU

CPU cooled by Swiftech Apogee CPU block
Delphi DCC+ (Swiftech MCP355) pump + Eheim pump in series
1x 120mm RAD + 1x Dual 120mm Rad
3 120mm Papst fans @ ~1100rpm (quiet )

[FZ1]

Cool. Was that in your sig before? I didn't see it although I was kinda looking for a graphic.

I'm prolly gonna get the E6850 instead of the QX9650 simply because of the price and performance wise, they are similar. I haven't I haven't decided on a MB yet. I think I'm going to air cool though. The pump I have now makes more damn noise than the fans plus I'm not gonna OC very much. At least for a while.

If I can wait (though for me) I'll hit the E8500

[kenc51]

Cool. Was that in your sig before? I didn't see it although I was kinda looking for a graphic.

I'm prolly gonna get the E6850 instead of the QX9650 simply because of the price and performance wise, they are similar. I haven't I haven't decided on a MB yet. I think I'm going to air cool though. The pump I have now makes more damn noise than the fans plus I'm not gonna OC very much. At least for a while.

If I can wait (though for me) I'll hit the E8500

Yeah it's been in my sig for a month or so.

If I was you, I'd wait but I know the feeling! I bought a GTS two days before the GT was launched just beacuse I couldn't wait
Most E6850's OC to between 3.5 & 3.6 on stock vcore and low temps, then climb to between 3.8 & 4.3 GHz with ~1.525v and good cooling (< 4GHz needs H2O)
Anything from 1.5v and above increases heat output a lot!

The Swiftech MCP355 is a very quiet & powerfull pump and you can get a modded version from Petra's making it compairable with your current one on flow rate. Something to keep in mind, as I hate to see yet another staff member going dry (Matt I'm talking about you!).......We gotta do all we can to keep computing wet, right Bio

[FZ1]

Yeah, I'm thinking the E8500 will obviously run cooler due to the 45nm architecture and therefore should OC further on air without burning things up. Most likely will OC to 3.6 at stock volts too. We'll see. I'll start out on air and maybe move to water with a DD custom kit or something. My biggest heat source will still be the GX2 and my only option is to water cool it and the blocks are ~$200 by themselves!

[FZ1]

Here is an interesting article on quad vs duo.
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000942.html

[graysky]

To the op - The jury is still out on quads for games. I have a q6600 I run @ 3.0 GHz and it's plenty fast for games (ut3, crysis, cod4, etc.)... if you plan to use it for any sort of video application, get a quad. See my x264 benchmark; the quads give you a MAJOR speed advantage.

[Schwarz]

Between the e6850 and the Q6600 I would go for the Quad Core.
Even though the 6850 is clocked higher benchmarks across the net have shown that the Q6600 outperforms it.
Lost planet support quad core I believe so its a start then games should follow pretty soon.
Let me find a quick link to a random review on the net about those 2 procies...
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/di ... q6600.html