Upgrade suggestion? From a e6400

[oblisk]

Current setup:

P5B Deluxe
e6400 @ 3.2Ghz (8*400)
Two sticks of Corsair XMS2 1GB PC2-6400

Now, I'm thinking of getting a Q9550 and a new HSF to do a quick and dirty upgrade. (Still waiting for my postcount to reach 25 so I can post a WTB post)

Is the Q9550 an ok option? Should I risk buying used, or is new a better option? Also, would my current (old) RAM be ok for overclocking with the Q9550? I'm hoping for 3.2-3.4, maybe perhaps even 3.6, if I am lucky.

[oblisk]

Nobody?

[crazyhorsejohnny]

You need more ram. For $65 you can get 4GB. Also nice to know where you're from.

[Zero82z]

The Q9550 is a great chip, but don't expect amazing overclocking results with your current board. You need a P35 or P43/P45 to really get great overclocks out of a 45nm quad.

[oblisk]

Originally Posted by crazyhorsejohnny

You need more ram. For $65 you can get 4GB. Also nice to know where you're from.

I'm still on XPSP3 x86, would I see much improvement with 4?

Originally Posted by Zero82z

The Q9550 is a great chip, but don't expect amazing overclocking results with your current board. You need a P35 or P43/P45 to really get great overclocks out of a 45nm quad.

How far do you think I can take it?

[Zero82z]

Originally Posted by oblisk

How far do you think I can take it?

Only one way to find out.

[crazyhorsejohnny]

With XP, 2GB is fine.

If you decide to get a "better" board, I have a DFI p45 or DFI x48 for sale. Both these boards would really improve your chances of higher overclocks then your current board.

[1Tanker]

Originally Posted by oblisk

I'm still on XPSP3 x86, would I see much improvement with 4?



How far do you think I can take it?

I'm not even 100% sure that you can run a Yorkfield on a i965...can you? If you can, you have to watch out for the FSB-hole between ~360-400FSB. So, you either have to run over 400FSB(3.4GHz), below 360FSB(3.06GHz)...or use a lower multi to get over the 400 hump. I know my Q9550 didn't like to run much over 3.4/400FSB on my GA P35-DS3L(P35), but with the P45(P45-UD3P)...the sky's the limit...or cooling in most cases.

[oblisk]

Originally Posted by crazyhorsejohnny

With XP, 2GB is fine.

But XP can use more than 2GB of allocated RAM, right? Maybe its not a bad idea to get another 2GB of cheap RAM in?

Originally Posted by crazyhorsejohnny

If you decide to get a "better" board, I have a DFI p45 or DFI x48 for sale. Both these boards would really improve your chances of higher overclocks then your current board.

I'm just doing a "quick and dirty" upgrade at the moment.

[oblisk]

Originally Posted by 1Tanker

I'm not even 100% sure that you can run a Yorkfield on a i965...can you? If you can, you have to watch out for the FSB-hole between ~360-400FSB. So, you either have to run over 400FSB(3.4GHz), below 360FSB(3.06GHz)...or use a lower multi to get over the 400 hump. I know my Q9550 didn't like to run much over 3.4/400FSB on my GA P35-DS3L(P35), but with the P45(P45-UD3P)...the sky's the limit...or cooling in most cases.

Well, with a bios update my board apparently supports it.

I thought the multies were locked on the q9550? I hope I can get it to 3.4 at least, that's my initial goal.