Slow Quad Core Vs. Faster Dual Core?

[MrUsername]

So, I'm not forunate to own a beefy gaming computer that one day I would hope to have the pleasure of spending many hours playing, but until then, I have a dilemma of either a 3 GHz LGA 775 Dual Core processor or a 2.5 GHz LGA 775 Quad Core processor.

I know most games will not utilize the full 4 cores, but the games like GTA IV and Day Z, which require a decent CPU to get playable framerates. I currently have an Intel Core 2 Duo @ 1.95 GHz, so anything is an upgrade, but what will yield a greater FPS? More cores or a Higher Clock.

These are the 2 CPUs in question.

http://ark.intel.com/products/33922/Intel-Core2-Quad-Processor-Q9300-6M-Cache-2_50-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB

http://ark.intel.com/products/27517/Intel-Pentium-D-Processor-925-4M-Cache-3_00-GHz-800-MHz-FSB

Also, please not that upgrading to an i5/i7 is WAY out of my budget, I'm stuck on the LGA 775 platform, any help is appreciated!

[rotNdude]

What is the make and model of motherboard? You better make sure the CPUs are compatible.

[MrUsername]

Where can I check that? BIOS is assume?

[Rove]

The Core 2 Quad is like 5 times better and faster.
Core 2 Quad Q9300 2.5 Ghz:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Quad+Q9300+%40+2.50GHz&id=1044

Pentium D 3.0 Ghz:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Pentium+D+3.00GHz&id=1127

As you can see from these benchmarks Ghz is certainly not everything in terms of perfromance. It is pretty much only relevant within the same generation.

Most games do use 4 cores or more.

Also, what is your budget for this upgrade?

For $200 or less you can probably get a AMD FX 4 or 6 core CPU, new motherboard and new DDR3 RAM all for around $200 or less. You can also spend more than $200 of course and it will get better the more you spend.

I'd be happy to put you together a competeing upgrade package using all brand new parts for the same price you plan to spend on these CPUs (as long as you aren't getting some super bargain) if you will tell me your budget?

[_I_]

not all 775 board are compatable with all 775 cpus

look up teh board specs and see what the best cpu it can take is

[Soylent_Merchant]

Dont get Amd stay with intel and unlike what Rove said few games actually even utilize 4 core and i havent seen any that utilize more than 4 cores.
And as long as youve paired it with a good gpu The dual core should be able to handle it without bottlenecking

[MrUsername]

Where can I find my motherboard specs? I checked the Bios, nothing about board info in there, and for upgrades, I don't think I have the money for a new mobo/cpu combo, I need a new mouse, the one I have now is gonna ♥♥♥♥ the bed and I intend to get a G400s, leaving me with like $80, and both CPUs are from friend's old "gaming" PCs, so I know they work. The 4 GB off DDR2 and Mobo are fine for now, I don't want to spend too much on a computer I may only be using for less than a year.

[Soylent_Merchant]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Jon The Magic Flyin Sausage Man:

Where can I find my motherboard specs? I checked the Bios, nothing about board info in there, and for upgrades, I don't think I have the money for a new mobo/cpu combo, I need a new mouse, the one I have now is gonna ♥♥♥♥ the bed and I intend to get a G400s, leaving me with like $80, and both CPUs are from friend's old "gaming" PCs, so I know they work. The 4 GB off DDR2 and Mobo are fine for now, I don't want to spend too much on a computer I may only be using for less than a year.

In that case defenitly skip Amd , you will not get a cpu/ mobo combo and go with the quad core, it will be fine i know people who still use the quad cores 755 gens and they dont have problems

[MrUsername]

So the 1.95 GHz processor is an Intel Pentium Dual E2180, a Pentium Processor, Would the Pentium D be compatible? I'm not sure of the FSB, especially the quad core, being a different family of processor (Core 2)?

[_I_]

are you near a microcenter?
http://www.microcenter.com/site/stores/default.aspx
you can get an i3 3245 /w z77 board for $215+tax
http://www.microcenter.com/site/brands/intel-processor-bundles.aspx

the i3 is better than the c2q
http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core2-Quad-Q9300-vs-Intel-Core-i3-3245
its a dual core yet, but beats all amd quads

for an upgrade you can get the 3570k

[Soylent_Merchant]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από _I_:

are you near a microcenter?
http://www.microcenter.com/site/stores/default.aspx
you can get an i3 3245 /w z77 board for $215+tax
http://www.microcenter.com/site/brands/intel-processor-bundles.aspx

the i3 is better than the c2q
http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core2-Quad-Q9300-vs-Intel-Core-i3-3245
its a dual core yet, but beats all amd quads

for an upgrade you can get the 3570k

He just said he has an 80 dollar budget....

[MrUsername]

Yeah, I don't have enough money for an LGA1155/1150 upgrade.

[Soylent_Merchant]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Jon The Magic Flyin Sausage Man:

Yeah, I don't have enough money for an LGA1155/1150 upgrade.

Go with the Quad and with the 80 bucks maybe get 4 more gigs of matching ram 8 gb. is reccomended or better yet put it towards yor newer PC later :D

[MrUsername]

My only problem is I don't know my motherboard specs, if the CPU will fry the transistors because of how much more voltage the quad requires.

[Soylent_Merchant]

Αναρτήθηκε αρχικά από Jon The Magic Flyin Sausage Man:

My only problem is I don't know my motherboard specs, if the CPU will fry the transistors because of how much more voltage the quad requires.

Go to a pc hardware store and ask them they can inform you better if they actually see the motherboard. Just take your pc to them and they will figure out if the quad core is compatible

[_I_]

is it an oem pc?
whats the model # of the motherboard?

or run cpuz and see what it says on the motherobard tab
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html