e6420 OC vs e6600?

[igloo15]

Hello I am in the process of building a new computer and I was wondering which is a better idea. Overclocking a e6420 or just getting a stock e6600 and doing no overclocking. I have never done any overclocking before so I am not sure to the process but I recently read a review of the e6420 which said it was very easy to get it overclock to 3ghz. I have made computers before but they have basically been systems with no overclocks. I am wondering if I can do an easy overclock to get a e6420 to the same performance of a e6600 or better.

I am also wondering what kind of heatsink people would recommend for an e6420 usually i just use the retail heatsink but i assume it would be better to get a heatsink if i end up overclocking a e6420.

Also anyone have any guides to overclocking, haven't done a search of the forum yet and I did notice the amd overclock guide at the top but I was looking for an intel one.

Specs of computer building:
Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
G.Skill 2x1gb ddr2-800
8800gtx
Roswell 600w sli PSU
Samsung 226bw monitor
Lian Li PC-61 case
Segate 500gb Hard Drive
Liteon SATA dvd burner
Creative Audigy sound card
cpu: e6420 or e6600

 

[five4o]

I was pondering pretty much the same question. (6320 OC, 6420 OC or 6600 stock)
Tried overclocking before but I can never get any progress worth mentioning.
Currently running my X2 3800 at 2175 MHz, that's my personal best.

Thinking about upgrading my system but there seems to be so much on the horizon ie AMD's answer cpu/gpu wise.

But you know how it is in the computer business (there's always something on the horizon)

Knowledgeable people please chime in.

 

[nyker96]

I'd say E6420 is very OCable on a DS3 board, but if you don't like OCing then of course 6600 is the recommendation.

 

[igloo15]

Its not that i don't like OCing its just that i don't have much experience.

 

[imported_lostguy28]

What I was wondering is how much I could excpect to get out of each chip if I did OC? Is it worth paying the xtra $$ to get the 6600? How high can each chip OC too?

 

[Diogenes2]

Originally posted by: lostguy28
What I was wondering is how much I could excpect to get out of each chip if I did OC? Is it worth paying the xtra $$ to get the 6600? How high can each chip OC too?

I wouldn't expect the extra $$$ for the 6600 to buy you anything.

I'm hearing the initial reports on the 6420's are very good ..

 

[yuppiejr]

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1169366

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: Diogenes2

Originally posted by: lostguy28
What I was wondering is how much I could excpect to get out of each chip if I did OC? Is it worth paying the xtra $$ to get the 6600? How high can each chip OC too?

I wouldn't expect the extra $$$ for the 6600 to buy you anything.

I'm hearing the initial reports on the 6420's are very good ..

im guessing it might be a better buy then the 6600 at this moment.

i hear all the new batches have a problem going up past 3.4ghz. I guess their hording all there good cores for the Q6600.

But if you can pick your bin, like goto frys or somewhere, and visual check the CPU. If its a B bin, id definitely pick a E6600.

Pretty hard to beat this. :T

She can do 3.8ghz, but i need to push an insane amount of voltage. I keep her on 3636 tho, and my loads temps are ~ 44C. <3 water.

My Load Temps :T

 

[igloo15]

I think I am gonna go the e6420 route since money is a definite factor in my build I think I can get a e6420 with a heatsink for about 200 dollars total and that would save me about 20-30 dollars. Plus I think from what i have read I will be easily able to oc it to about 2.9 - 3 ghz. This will make it more faster then the e6600. Anyone agree?

 

[imported_lostguy28]

Maybe I am being a little too aggresive, but I am hoping to hit 3.4-3.6 with my 6420

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: lostguy28

Maybe I am being a little too aggresive, but I am hoping to hit 3.4-3.6 with my 6420

i think it should be doable.

it appears they are hitting 3.4 to 3.6 with a moderate voltage increase.

i'd pick a new 6420 over a 6600.

but as someone else said, i'd pick an old 6600 over 6420 anyday.

 

[Skott]

Originally posted by: igloo15
Hello I am in the process of building a new computer and I was wondering which is a better idea. Overclocking a e6420 or just getting a stock e6600 and doing no overclocking. I have never done any overclocking before so I am not sure to the process but I recently read a review of the e6420 which said it was very easy to get it overclock to 3ghz. I have made computers before but they have basically been systems with no overclocks. I am wondering if I can do an easy overclock to get a e6420 to the same performance of a e6600 or better.

I am also wondering what kind of heatsink people would recommend for an e6420 usually i just use the retail heatsink but i assume it would be better to get a heatsink if i end up overclocking a e6420.

Also anyone have any guides to overclocking, haven't done a search of the forum yet and I did notice the amd overclock guide at the top but I was looking for an intel one.

Specs of computer building:
Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
G.Skill 2x1gb ddr2-800
8800gtx
Roswell 600w sli PSU
Samsung 226bw monitor
Lian Li PC-61 case
Segate 500gb Hard Drive
Liteon SATA dvd burner
Creative Audigy sound card
cpu: e6420 or e6600

IMHO you got three choices availble to your delima.

1)You want to save money and get the most out of your buying power. You also want to overclock. Get the 6420.

2)You really dont want to deal with the hassles of overclocking and want to get something that'll be a decent gaming rig for a while in stock form. Get the E6600.

3)You want to try to overclock but your worried you wont be able to do it or will mess it up and will be forced to run stock due to lack of OCing skill and abilities. Get the E6600.

Option 3 allows you to do either or when it comes to stock vs OCing setup. The E6600 is a 2.4GHz chip that can be OCed to 3.4-3.6 using aircooling when using a good OCing mobo. The only downside is that the E6600 is about $40 more expensive than the E6420(priced as of this posting). That price difference may not be a issue for you though. So if your kinda skittish about wether to OC or not and can easily afford the extra $40 this may be a better option for you.


Heatsink - If you are not going to OC do nothing. Just use the retail Intel stock HSF that comes with the proc. If you are going to overclock you can get anything from a Artic Freezer Pro 7 to a Tuniq Tower 120 HSF. If you want cheap and good OCing potential get the Artic freezer pro 7. If you want the best OCing potential then get the Tuniq Tower 120. If you are not sure wether you are going to OC or not get the Artic. Its pretty cheap in price and does a nice job of quiet and cool.

These are just my opinions anyway. I hope it helps.

 

[igloo15]

Wow you summoned it up perfectly thank you for the suggestions

 

[imported_lostguy28]

Yes he did!

 

[gr8snakee]

One more question. I got the following mobo for free basically. Foound someone looking for the socket 423 parts. Im of no loss because my p4 2.8 NW will be replacing the P4T 423 setup. We both end up happy.

I have the following mobo on the way for basically free in my eyes. Asus P5N-E Sli

Used the nvidia 650 chipset.

What is the best choice on cpu for me. the 6420 or the 6600. This is for HTPC usage. Some gaming might be down the road, but i have a 360 for that.

Im leaning towards the 6420 since i am doubtfuil to get a 6600 B at this point, with my luck.

I am upgrading from a NW 2.8 p4 so i cant imagine i will be disapointed either way.

Thoughts?

Ive done my share of o/c on a 300a w abit BH6. Xp3200+, P4 2.8 and P4PE. ....I dont wanna do the e4300 because I am scared I will outgrow it at that price.

 

[Binky]

For what it's worth, I'm at 3.2ghz on a 6420, default voltage, Abit IB9, fanless Ninja for cooling. I haven't tried for more....yet. It idles at 40-45c and runs cooler than my old 4300 did at 2.9ghz.

 

[aigomorla]

i think your better off with the 6420.

Because i also highly doubt you'll get a older bin 6600.

And as i said, a lot have walls in the 3.3-3.4ghz range.


:T

 

[gr8snakee]

Im leaning towards the 8500GT passive card from gigabyte ...Games will not be focus here. I gotta get a card thats pci-e since im retiring my 6600GT from htpc use. Im thinking 99.99 is the sweetspot for a video only htpc with purevideo HD acceleration.

What 2gb combo of ram would work for that board the best. My last ram purchase was pc3200 corsair vs kit.

Ive fallen so far behind these last few years as priorities have changed.

Im trying to get all from mwave at this point due to the combo shipping rates seem to be reasonable.

Am I wrong to go with the 8500GT for HTPC usage. I usually go a step above just because but it seems it will do all i need it to do yes?

Sorry to get OT but looking to get all this together in next 24 hours, since i have to take my server offline to dissamble a mobo and do some shuffling this weekend.

 

[Zardnok]

I did not see any PC26400 RAM at mwave, so I recommend buying some from Newegg or another e-tailer. Are you good at sending in Rebate stuffage? If so, the OCZ Plat Rev 2 is a pretty awesome deal at a number of places with a $50 Rebate. It is a pretty decent price as well even without the rebate. The Corsair XMS2 stuff is also decently priced now for quality RAM.

Basically, any PC2 6400 RAM would work for you if you needed to save money, but I would not waste time with slower RAM. The PC2 6400 stuff is close enough in price to the cheap stuff, and running the PC2 6400 stuff even at stock is a pretty awesome OC for most CPUs.

 

[gr8snakee]

the person that sold me the board recommended ocz as well. Its 155 shipped at outpost with 25 rebate and 160 at mwave with 30 rebate.probally divide it up between the etailers. both have been good to me.

thanks.

 

[1ManArmY]

Originally posted by: Shimmishim

Originally posted by: lostguy28

Maybe I am being a little too aggresive, but I am hoping to hit 3.4-3.6 with my 6420

i think it should be doable.

it appears they are hitting 3.4 to 3.6 with a moderate voltage increase.

i'd pick a new 6420 over a 6600.

but as someone else said, i'd pick an old 6600 over 6420 anyday.

why would you pick an old 6600 over a new 6420? Can you even find an old 6600? how are they identified as old?

 

[1ManArmY]

Originally posted by: gr8snakee

Im leaning towards the 6420 since i am doubtfuil to get a 6600 B at this point, with my luck.

What are the current E6600 labeled? What time frame were they labeled 6600 B?

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: Shimmishim

Originally posted by: lostguy28

Maybe I am being a little too aggresive, but I am hoping to hit 3.4-3.6 with my 6420

i think it should be doable.

it appears they are hitting 3.4 to 3.6 with a moderate voltage increase.

i'd pick a new 6420 over a 6600.

but as someone else said, i'd pick an old 6600 over 6420 anyday.

I'm going to bring it down to earth and say that all of the aforementioned CPUs should do 3.0Ghz+ fairly easily and at 3.0Ghz my E6600 is a speed demon. I can get about 3.4Ghz stable out of my E6600, but I figure why push the limits of my system when 3.0Ghz is stupid fast to begin with? You'll be extremely happy with any of these CPUs at stock and any OCing is just icing on the cake.

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: Skott

Originally posted by: igloo15
Hello I am in the process of building a new computer and I was wondering which is a better idea. Overclocking a e6420 or just getting a stock e6600 and doing no overclocking. I have never done any overclocking before so I am not sure to the process but I recently read a review of the e6420 which said it was very easy to get it overclock to 3ghz. I have made computers before but they have basically been systems with no overclocks. I am wondering if I can do an easy overclock to get a e6420 to the same performance of a e6600 or better.

I am also wondering what kind of heatsink people would recommend for an e6420 usually i just use the retail heatsink but i assume it would be better to get a heatsink if i end up overclocking a e6420.

Also anyone have any guides to overclocking, haven't done a search of the forum yet and I did notice the amd overclock guide at the top but I was looking for an intel one.

Specs of computer building:
Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
G.Skill 2x1gb ddr2-800
8800gtx
Roswell 600w sli PSU
Samsung 226bw monitor
Lian Li PC-61 case
Segate 500gb Hard Drive
Liteon SATA dvd burner
Creative Audigy sound card
cpu: e6420 or e6600

IMHO you got three choices availble to your delima.

1)You want to save money and get the most out of your buying power. You also want to overclock. Get the 6420.

2)You really dont want to deal with the hassles of overclocking and want to get something that'll be a decent gaming rig for a while in stock form. Get the E6600.

3)You want to try to overclock but your worried you wont be able to do it or will mess it up and will be forced to run stock due to lack of OCing skill and abilities. Get the E6600.

Option 3 allows you to do either or when it comes to stock vs OCing setup. The E6600 is a 2.4GHz chip that can be OCed to 3.4-3.6 using aircooling when using a good OCing mobo. The only downside is that the E6600 is about $40 more expensive than the E6420(priced as of this posting). That price difference may not be a issue for you though. So if your kinda skittish about wether to OC or not and can easily afford the extra $40 this may be a better option for you.


Heatsink - If you are not going to OC do nothing. Just use the retail Intel stock HSF that comes with the proc. If you are going to overclock you can get anything from a Artic Freezer Pro 7 to a Tuniq Tower 120 HSF. If you want cheap and good OCing potential get the Artic freezer pro 7. If you want the best OCing potential then get the Tuniq Tower 120. If you are not sure wether you are going to OC or not get the Artic. Its pretty cheap in price and does a nice job of quiet and cool.

These are just my opinions anyway. I hope it helps.

I'm going to have to disagree about the Heatsink comment. Even a Zalman 7000Cu will kick the snot out of the cooler performance of a stock HSF. Also, the stock HSF clips are just a pain to deal with and are cheaply made. Spend $25 on an Arctic Cooling aftermarket HSF if nothing else. I went with a Zalman 9500Cu on my setup because it cools great, is very lightweight, and looks darned spiffy.

 

[1ManArmY]

Originally posted by: Golgatha

Originally posted by: Shimmishim

Originally posted by: lostguy28

Maybe I am being a little too aggresive, but I am hoping to hit 3.4-3.6 with my 6420

i think it should be doable.

it appears they are hitting 3.4 to 3.6 with a moderate voltage increase.

i'd pick a new 6420 over a 6600.

but as someone else said, i'd pick an old 6600 over 6420 anyday.

I'm going to bring it down to earth and say that all of the aforementioned CPUs should do 3.0Ghz+ fairly easily and at 3.0Ghz my E6600 is a speed demon. I can get about 3.4Ghz stable out of my E6600, but I figure why push the limits of my system when 3.0Ghz is stupid fast to begin with? You'll be extremely happy with any of these CPUs at stock and any OCing is just icing on the cake.

nice, is your E6600 an old (bin?) what does that mean?