New Q9450!

[raptorx]

I couldn't help it.  Fry's had a sale today, $279 for the retail version, SLAWR (I don't know if there are any other steppings out yet).  It's still in its pretty blue box.  I'm gonna test it out and see how it compares to my Q6600.  Or, I could just put it on my shelf and stare at it for a while.

Some things on sale I didn't buy:

1) numerous 2Gb memory kits by Patriot, OCZ, Corsair for around $70
2) Creative Fatality edition Xtreme Gamer sound card, $99 store price plus a $50 rebate
3) EVGA 9800GTX video cards for $299 plus $50 rebate
4) Zalman 9700CNPS cooler...$19, that's right!  I was tempted to buy one on principle alone but I already have a TRUE.

-Jim

[N. Chapman]

heck the frys adds up here said that they had PC6400 4-4-4-12 for only 20 bucks after $30 mail in rebate!

the processor looks like it's good. especially being on the new 45nm process and having that SSE4 instruction too

[raptorx]

Now that I have it, I've been searching like mad to find out if it's any better than my Q6600.  It has the low 8x multiplier and nobody seems to be able to break around 3.6 to 3.7 GHz.  I'm at 3.52 now and that is my sweet spot for the Q6600.  If I can get 3.6 or better with the Q9450 (8 x 450 or more), than I think this will be worth while.  Otherwise, I might as well keep my Q6600 and return the Q9450.  

Then there's the 12mb cache on the new cpu-I wonder if that'll be noticable in FSX.

-Jim

[raptorx]

OK.  Help me decide whether or not to pop open this box and install this baby, or return it??? :-/

-Jim

[N. Chapman]

well being that the newer processor has a higher standard FSB you'll be looking at an instant up in performance there and you should be able to clock it higher (maybe 4.0ghz is a nice number but what do i know about overclocking )

the Q6600 is an old processor that is still in its glory days with it being one of the best overclockers out there but those times must pass. give the new processor a try and if it doesn't do what you want it to then you'll just save on your utilities bill during the month.

[NickN]

[quote]OK.

[raptorx]

Thanks gentlemen.  I'm going for it.  I'm not looking for anything spectacular, just any little improvements possible.  If this Q9 is even just a little bit better then that's good enough for me, especially the power/heat reduction @ same performance level.  My F12 bios is the latest and is marked for 45nm compatibility.  

Does that 12mb cache make much of a difference?

-Jim

[NickN]

Larger L2 is always better

[raptorx]

OK, well, I'm testing it out right now.

[NickN]

You are on DDR2 not DDR3

Your target FSB and memory lantency is between 400-435FSB depending on the memory ability and running a divider of 1:1 @ DDR2 800-950 @ CAS3-4 MAX or 5:6 @ DDR2 1000 CAS4





To run 450 you need to be on DDR3 @ 1440Mhz for real PUNCH however DDR2 900 1:1 or 1080 6:5 @ CAS4 will also light a bit of a fire





With Intel is not about the FSB dang it.. its about the setup between the memory lantency, the divider (STRAP) and the FSB... the CPU GHz comes last after the memory and divider has been stable,... highest GHz with the defined chart nets the kick

Problem is, you dont have a multiplier available and now you can see why us rich boys buy the QX slugs... cuz we can use that access to make the above work and NOT be limited in the final clock GHZ by the multiplier lock



If you had the multiplier available I bet that chip would do close to 4GHz



The Tj on that slug is 95c as I recall which means you are safe up to about 75C if you are reading the correct and true DTS and not the core case temp which is usually 10-13c lower. Tj may be 105.. I dont have time to look it up right now and if it is, that means you are safe up through 80-85c true DTS

[raptorx]

I tried 450 FSB, 1:1, 4-5-4-12, memtest passed but it wouldn't boot into windows.  I know I can run 400 x 9 on my Q6600 with 960 DDR and 4-5-4-12.  Only thing is the strap on my board is at 393 FSB so I run what you see in my sig. below, with the Q6600.  My latencies are the lowest (56ns mem, 3.4ns L2 cache) at the settings in my signature, according to Everest.

Is a 3.48 GHz Q9450 equal to or better than a 3.6 GHz Q6600?

-Jim

[NickN]

Your going to have to make that call since the +performance differenc between the Q6 and the 45nm slug is really not that much

do you notice any positive or negative changes?


I have never recommended anyone upgrade a C2 to a Penny because the cost is not worth the change unless of course you have a newer motherboard which may give O/c advantages the older ones dont.

[NickN]

I probably should have asked...

[raptorx]

In FSX, what I notice is clearer textures, less blurry.

[raptorx]

You are on DDR2 not DDR3

Your target FSB and memory lantency is between 400-435FSB depending on the memory ability and running a divider of 1:1 @ DDR2 800-950 @ CAS3-4 MAX or 5:6 @ DDR2 1000 CAS4

Nick, with 4Gb RAM (2 x 2Gb) will I be able to hit CAS4 at DDR2 1000?
Like 4-5-4-12?

-Jim