Which CPU: Q6600 or X3220?

[Monotaur]

Hello,

I'm putting together a new build and was deciding on which CPU to get. The price difference between these two CPUs (Q6600 and X3220) is minimal (about $5) from ClubIT after shipping, and so was wondering if there is any advantage to the Xeon X3220 over the Q6600? Both are G0 stepping, but it looks like the Xeon has a higher temperature rating (85 deg C vs 71 deg C). Does this translate into better over clock potential? Is there any other difference?

I got in on the < $10/GB Micron D9 RAM deal (over here, but now dead), so with my Abit IP35 Pro I was hoping to get at least a 3.0 GHz overclock using a Zalman CNPS9700. Has anyone had any experience with the Abit IP35 Pro and the X3220?

Thanks!

 

[graysky]

Good question about the o/c potential. As you have likely seen, the processorfinder data:

Xeon
Q6600

Have a look at the data in my x264 benchmark; sorry, that was the invitation for people to use it... the official results are there. Anyway, there are a few overclocked x3220's (9x420 and 9x425). Maybe someone else will reply to your thread who has first-hand experience.

A word of advice: get an Ultra-120 Extreme, not the Zalman for your cooler (although it sounds like you already on the zalman).

 

[Acanthus]

In my experience the Xeons tend to have slighly more headroom when overclocking.

I just assume it's because its a better bin.

The only reason i got the X3220 was because the price was the same and there was a rumour that they OC a bit better.

Im happy with my results

 

[VirtualLarry]

It's my opinion that the X3210s run hot compared to Q6600s. I don't know about the X3220s.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
It's my opinion that the X3210s run hot compared to Q6600s. I don't know about the X3220s.

That would be a weird phenomenon, since they are architecturally identical down to the stepping.

I guess having VT and the other xeon only features might heat it up if you are using them... Is there no VT on a Q6600?

 

[Monotaur]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
It's my opinion that the X3210s run hot compared to Q6600s. I don't know about the X3220s.

That would be a weird phenomenon, since they are architecturally identical down to the stepping.

I guess having VT and the other xeon only features might heat it up if you are using them... Is there no VT on a Q6600?

It is my understanding that the Q6600 and X3220 are identical (including the VT features being on both chipcs), except for the temperature rating... and that it is higher on the Xeon X3220.

This is true, correct?

 

[TC91]

the temperature rating depends on the stepping, i believe. g0's are rated @ 100c tjunction and b3's i think are 85c.

 

[Monotaur]

Thanks. But is this only for the X3220? Do you know if this lends itself to more overclockability for the X3220?

 

[TC91]

if you get a g0 stepping of the x3220, then it should be quite a bit more overclockable than the b3 version. the higher tjunction i would assume is the better chip as it is able to handle higher temperatures. the g0 stepping is good for about 200-400mhz more than the b3 stepping on air generally speaking.