Fast dual core vs slower quad core for Dell upgrade

[Phantomaniac]

I'm trying to upgrade a Dell XPS 420 on the cheap. It currently has a Q6600 and 4GB of RAM. I'm planning on maxing the RAM at 8GB, and debating what to do with the CPU. I'm thinking it may get more use out of a fast dual core since the system isn't capable of overclocking. I know it depends on the workload, so here's what its used for:

- Web browsing
- Web development
- Photoshop
- Light to medium gaming

I feel like photoshop is the only thing that takes advantage of the quad core, and everything else would be better off with a fast dual core (especially gaming). Is that accurate?

 

[el etro]

For any kind of light use(including web browsing), dual core is perfect.

Most newer software that needs tons of CPU power like photoshop can use well three or more cores.

For gaming, you will need a 4-Core Cpu to play well any game dated from 2013 or newer.

 

[nenforcer]

My Dad has my old Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz while I am using a Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz in my machine.

Modern gaming needs quad or more cores for better performance except for like Blizzard games, Starcraft 2 & WoW, which actually do better with faster dual cores.

The most my Dad does is some light photo editing / importing and the fast dual core suits his needs just fine.

 

[JWade]

a q9450 will work in the 420, so I see no reason why a q9550 or q9650 wouldn't work, then you could have both, fast and quad

 

[Schmide]

Worth a shot?


Intel Q6600 Mod Simple Enough For Idiots

 

[Rakehellion]

Definitely get the quad core. If you aren't doing anything intense, you don't need a high clock speed anyway.

Most apps, including your web browser, are multi-core aware.

 

[Burpo]

Drop a Xeon X3230 in to replace the Q6600. It's cheap & 20% faster at same bus speed. I recently had to do the same for an aging Gateway FX8020. I'm glad I did. It extended service life of my fav PC

 

[Burpo]

Gateway is locked @ 1066 FSB and can't be overclocked, but the Xeon gave me a nice 20% bump

 

[jihe]

I'm trying to upgrade a Dell XPS 420 on the cheap. It currently has a Q6600 and 4GB of RAM. I'm planning on maxing the RAM at 8GB, and debating what to do with the CPU. I'm thinking it may get more use out of a fast dual core since the system isn't capable of overclocking. I know it depends on the workload, so here's what its used for:

- Web browsing
- Web development
- Photoshop
- Light to medium gaming

I feel like photoshop is the only thing that takes advantage of the quad core, and everything else would be better off with a fast dual core (especially gaming). Is that accurate?

Have you try the bsel mod? You could give your Q6600 a 25% boost.

 

[Phantomaniac]

The Dell mobo is an X38 chipset so it should support Penryn/1333 FSB. It probably needs a BIOS update though. I'm going to try the tape mod before I drop money on a CPU. Does regular electrical tape work?

 

[Fox5]

Don't spend money on the cpu, upgrade the ram and then get an SSD.

 

[ali1988]

Not sure about other games but I know bf3 and especially bf4 uses 4 cores.

 

[jihe]

The Dell mobo is an X38 chipset so it should support Penryn/1333 FSB. It probably needs a BIOS update though. I'm going to try the tape mod before I drop money on a CPU. Does regular electrical tape work?

Anything works as long it insulates and stays in place. But it really depends on motherboard support. In any case no harm trying.

 

[Jimzz]

Don't spend money on the cpu, upgrade the ram and then get an SSD.

Yea try the 1333 tape trick and get a SSD would also get my vote.

 

[smakme7757]

More RAM and an SSD. No point moving to a higher frequency dual core, its a waste of money.

 

[Headfoot]

Stick with the q6600, especially if you program. It's a lot harder to profile multicore software when you dont have enough cores...

 

[tarmc]

more ram, ssd, and also what do you have for a video card?