Q9400 or Q9400S or Q9650?

[Bun-Bun]

My water loop is going severely under used... my QX6700 has a wall at 3.55Ghz (no amount of voltage will get it to or above 3.6GHz without BSOD'ing...) yet I can do 3.2GHz with only 1.24v... only need air for that

Anyway I want to get rid of the Presler 940 thats in my HTPC (toaster!) and was just going to get a 45nm E6600 for $90 but now I am thinking of getting something that I could have fun with in my Maximus Formula with my water and then put it in my HTPC underclocked when I am done (to save power and heat).

First I thought the Q9400 but then I saw there is a low power version of it. Think that would be awesome for my HTPC but how is its OC'ability compared to the base Q9400? And If I am going to spend that much money why not just get a Q9650 with the 12mb cache?

The ultimate goal here is to have fun with OC'ing and out perform my insanely expensive QX6700...

[Bun-Bun]

Been thinking about this... I know my board can do 450 FSB and if I want at least 3.6Ghz then the Q9400 doesn't really suit as it will just get me to 3.6 @ 450 fsb. So really I should get the Q9650 for the 9 multi and 12mb cache.

But there is the Q9550S for the same price, 8.5 multi and lower voltage and 12mb cache. Could be better for when I put it in my HTPC. But I wonder if there is any real difference in the chips or if they are just binned at a lower voltage. So couldn't I just get the Q9650 and under volt it to achieve the same thing (and have a bit more capable chip)? I know my QX6700 takes a lot less then rated volts to run stable. Rated 1.325 and only needs 1.23 for 3.2GHz. Stock I think I was able to drop it to 1.18v.

And lower voltage requirement doesn't automatically mean good OC'ing... my QX6700 is prime example of that. Hit's a hard wall at 3.55Ghz.

Q9650 seems to be the answer.

[OC Nub]

I would get the q9550 or find a used q9650. Its hard to justify the price of the q9650, its still expensive and now outdated. Other than the extra .5 multi there is no difference between the 9650 and 9550.

If you are near or know someone near a micro center they sell them for around 179.00, maybe less now.

[ChristianGordon]

I have been enjoying my q9550 for a good 6 months. I got it at MicroCenter for around $175 which is a great price compared to the q9650.

[Bun-Bun]

I get all my stuff from NCIX. They don't have the Q9550 just the Q9505 and Q9550S. I checked newegg and they have the Q9550 but its $290 CAD. NCIX has the X3360 for $315 CAD.

hmm... i'll keep looking.

[Bun-Bun]

Q9650 f/s on this board... thinking of jumping on it... though I wonder now if part of my problems are due to my board... maybe I should give up OC'ing this gen and wait till I get an I7... lol

[zsamz_]

either get the used q9650 or go i7

[Bun-Bun]

I bought the Q9650 off the guy here so... heres hopeing its a good chip! Plus now I have some ideas to build an external rad enclosure and boost my cooling potential.

systemviper had his X3380 on sale here awhile ago... sucks I missed out on it >.<

[XmikeX]

I've got my own tick/tock cycle. Life with OC'ed Q9650s is good (wish they would calm down on heat/watts though). I'll revisit Intel (Intel f t w) when Sandy Bridge era semi-matures.

XmX