Q8300 vs E8600

[krazymike]

most games don't use all 4 cores, so at this time my answer goes to the E8600

[Ctech]

E8600 > Q8300 for games

[BrianHanna]

Originally Posted by Wurmer

The E8600 is a very nice CPU, I had one and now my son use it. With proper cooling you can easily hit a 4.0 Ghz OC.

you can easily hit 4ghz with an e8400

[letsgetsteve]

I would tend to agree with going with the E8400.... for now if it will cost you less. The issue is within 1 year I wont be surprised if most new games coming out are using 3+ threads. THW had done a study that shows that having a 3 core is better then a 2 core for gamers planing a build, and that was an article over 6 months old. I just see it as, If your looking for something to last you a year then go with the cheaper one. If you want it to last you 2 years, go with the quad and overclock it. I would be frugal at the moment though because if your looking for something on the cheap the i5's will be silly in price in 6 months and the performance of a E8400 at 4.0GHZ looks silly next to an i5 750 at 4.0ghz and I would almost think that the i5 is easier to overclock!

[zsamz_]

get either a used 8400-8500-8600 for games

verry few games use more than 2 cores
and a dual core @ 4.5+ is real nice

or a used q9550 E0 stay away from c1 you should hit 4.0-4.25

[YukonTrooper]

The majority of games will run better on 2 higher clocked cores vs 4 lower clocked cores. Having said that, it really depends on what chips you're comparing. I'd definitely take an E8600 over a Q8300, though. I'd even be inclined to save a bit and spring for an E8400.

[BrianHanna]

if your staple game is bad company 2, go for quad