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CPU or RAM? Which one to upgrade??

522 Views 13 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  psi_guy, 
Blaze182
Hey all,

I'm buying a new system and have two options for upgrades... but I'm not getting both (due to price).

Which one?

Intel Core2 Extreme Quad QX9300 2.53GHz (12MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
+
4GB DDR3 @ 1066mhz

or

Intel Core2 Duo T9600 2.8GHz (6MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
+
8GB DDR3 @ 1333mhz

With the first option I have the ability to overclock, with the second I dont.

I guess the real question is, memory or cpu? Primary uses are gaming, web surfing and design & programming.
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Tator Tot
The quad will be a better option for the most part as the amount of RAM is usually more of an issue than speed. But as far as heavy programing goes, and some games, more cores is a linear progression of performance.

Simple Answer: Choose Option 1.
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D
Nevermind, didn't realize option 1 was quad and option 2 wasn't. Choose option 1.
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Blaze182
Really?! Quad makes THAT much of a difference against a dual core?!!
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K
Yeah. More than extra ram. +1 on the quad.
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F
Option 1 easily. 4 GB is already more than enough for most things.
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Monsk
Option 1! Plus, 4gb is plenty for what you are doing
. 8 gb is a little overkill
See less See more
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Blaze182
Haha, alright, option 1 it is then =D haha.

Is there much of a difference (is it noticable) to increase the ram to 1333mhz rather than th 1066? The price hike is $50, is it worth it?
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K
Not worth it. Higher-speed ram is only better when overclocking, and in your case it wouldn't be worth it.
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tK FuRY
Option 1 for sure, RAM isn't worth losing a Quad.
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L
It's Unanimous option 1.....
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Blaze182
Haha, fair enough.

Also, the quad can (and will) be overclocked anyway, people have hit 4ghz and its both stable and reasonably cool also. I'll OC to ~3.4 and leave it there.
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H-man
Well Even a Tri running vista is noticeably better then a duel core with the same.
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psi_guy
i agree with the rest of the crowd on this one. go with the quad core (option 1) for sure. you can always add more ram later on when money becomes available.
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