Gaming Upgrading processor for the first time

[RupeeClock]

So I've decided I wanna replace my current processor, an old Core 2 Duo E6850, and I was wondering if anyone could help me with this.

From what I've gathered, replacing the processor is easy enough, wear anti-static equipment, take out old heatsink, replace processor, replace heatsink, assure cooling works properly, etc, but my concern is the motherboard.

This is the processor I have my sights on, an i7 920, but what I don't know is if my Motherboard or chipset will accept it.

CPU-Z says this:

So, I'm not really that knowledgeable about this, should I be able to upgrade my processor?
Also, if you recommend another processor, preferably Intel, do tell.
Thanks.

 

[lenselijer]

e6850 is a core 2 duo socket 775 processor.

so if you want to upgrade to corei7 you also need a new motherboard (core i7 uses socket 1366)
then you also need new memory because core i7 only supports ddr3 memory.

instead you can also buy a Q9550 or Q9650 processor, this will fit into your existing motherboard and will give a good speed boost

This is the list of supported processors:
http://eu.msi.com/index.php?func=prodcpu2&...incat_no=1#menu

 

[Thoob]

An i7 will not fit in your mobo if you're currently using a C2D.
C2D uses the LGA775 socket, but the i7 uses LGA1366 or LGA1156, so won't fit in your motherboard.
I would recommend an E8XXX core 2 duo as an upgrade.

 

[dark42]

Your sockets are different, your motherboard socket is LGA775 but the Core i7 goes into LGA1366.

 

[RupeeClock]

That's what I suspected.
I didn't know about the whole socket thing, so I learned something there.

Well I'm not prepared to replace the whole motherboard, that goes beyond my expertise, so an E8XXX it is I suppose.

So, this E8500 looks nice.
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/C...80570E8500.html

But then the E8400 seems to be much more popular at Novatech
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/C...80570E8400.html

Anyway, thanks for the very fast replies.

Edit: There also seems to be the Quad Core processors like the Q8400, but it wouldn't be worth sacrificing clock speed for quad cores would it?

 

[Elritha]

Go for the E8400 if you have no programs to make use of multi-cores. The E8500 isn't worth it for the price. You can also easily overclock the E8400 safely to the speed of a E8500.

 

[RupeeClock]

Well actually, I frequently use the Dolphin emulator, which makes use of dual cores.
For the speed improvement there for just another £15, seems worth it to me.

 

[omgdaniel]

Both should OC easily if that's what you want. E8500 should hit 4Ghz (most of the time) with ease.

 

[Joe88]

the difference between those 2 cpu's is minimal

also the fact that specific mobo probably cant OC makes it worse
and you would need a 3rd party hsf to oc anyway

 

[RupeeClock]

Well, looking at these benchmarks...
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

The E8500 ranked 113 with 2,311 score, but the Q400 ranks 55 with 3,680 score.
They are both £154 in total.

So uh, I should probably go for the quad core?

 

[Cermage]

i'd go for the e8500 if i were you, it'll perform better in games. cpubenchmark doesn't really mean much unless you model 3d, use the adobe suite or encode video heavily.