Q6600 vs. QX6700

[Finrir]

what is the difference between a reagular quad like the Q6600 and a quad extreme QX6700 besides a little more speed? why is the Q6600 soon to be $266 and the QX6700 is almost 1k?

[Elysium]

The "extreme" line from Intel has an unlocked multiplier, so you can OC the CPU without touching the FSB.

[One4yu2c]

To expand a bit, a processor's clockspeed is determined by taking the processor's base frequency (266MHz on both the Q6600 and QX6700) and multiplying it by the CPU multiplier (x9 on the Q6600, x10 on the QX6700).

266 x 9 = 2394MHz (2.4GHz, Q6600)
266 x 10 = 2660MHz (2.66GHz, QX6700)

To overclock a processor, you would increase the base frequency. For example, going from 266 to 300 would make those processors look like this:

300 x 9 = 2700MHz (2.7GHz, OC'd Q6600)
300 x 10 = 3000MHz (3.0GHz, OC'd QX6700)

By increasing the base frequency, you not only overclock your processor, but your RAM as well (that's where dividers come into play, but that's a topic for a more in depth OCing discussion).

With Intel's Extreme branded processors (those designated with an 'X'), the CPU multiplier is unlocked, meaning you can increase it. Non extreme chips, like the Q6600, are multiplier locked, meaning you can only decrease the stock multiplier, and not increase it. Increasing the multiplier can be desirable in that it offers an almost effortless overclock, and your RAM isn't affected. You're also not bound by your motherboard's ability to run a higher base frequency (commonly referred to as a frontside bus, or fsb).

Is an unlocked multiplier worth the premium? The short answer is no, and the longer answer will depend on who you ask.

[Dr. V]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

To expand a bit, a processor's clockspeed is determined by taking the processor's base frequency (266MHz on both the Q6600 and QX6700) and multiplying it by the CPU multiplier (x9 on the Q6600, x10 on the QX6700).

266 x 9 = 2394MHz (2.4GHz, Q6600)
266 x 10 = 2660MHz (2.66GHz, QX6700)

To overclock a processor, you would increase the base frequency. For example, going from 266 to 300 would make those processors look like this:

300 x 9 = 2700MHz (2.7GHz, OC'd Q6600)
300 x 10 = 3000MHz (3.0GHz, OC'd QX6700)

By increasing the base frequency, you not only overclock your processor, but your RAM as well (that's where dividers come into play, but that's a topic for a more in depth OCing discussion).

With Intel's Extreme branded processors (those designated with an 'X'), the CPU multiplier is unlocked, meaning you can increase it. Non extreme chips, like the Q6600, are multiplier locked, meaning you can only decrease the stock multiplier, and not increase it. Increasing the multiplier can be desirable in that it offers an almost effortless overclock, and your RAM isn't affected. You're also not bound by your motherboard's ability to run a higher base frequency (commonly referred to as a frontside bus, or fsb).

Is an unlocked multiplier worth the premium? The short answer is no, and the longer answer will depend on who you ask.

Very well said. To add to it a bit, the extreme line of CPUs by Intel is pretty much a scam for money. Don't you notice the extreme (no pun intended) price difference between them and the regular line? Sure, some enthusiasts would concur that it's DEFINITELY worth all that extra money for simply an unlocked multiplier. Most people, and even most enthusiasts, would say that it isn't. Think about it, the Core 2s already OC so well in terms of FSB, so you can be safe you'll get a good clock out of a Q6600 even without being able to raise the multiplier. Of course it's a helluva lot easier to do this with the extreme line of CPUs...but at the end of the day it isn't worth the extra cash.

[KillingField]

I'll have to agree with you all on the extreme CPU's not being worth the extra (lots and lots extra) cash, I'm waiting till next week for the price drops and I'll be picking up a Q6600 for my birthday................;) And OC the crap out of it, hopefully I can get a G0 stepping to hepl with the high Quad temps.

[Dr. V]

Originally Posted by KillingField

I'll have to agree with you all on the extreme CPU's not being worth the extra (lots and lots extra) cash, I'm waiting till next week for the price drops and I'll be picking up a Q6600 for my birthday................;) And OC the crap out of it, hopefully I can get a G0 stepping to hepl with the high Quad temps.

Aren't the newer Quad chips G0 or better?

Either way, make sure to start a thread with your results, can't wait for that

I'll eventually grab a Q6600 too, but it's definitely not important as a phone right now...Nokia E61i...:rock:

[KillingField]

I haven't seen any G0 steping Q6600 chips yet, but I know of a few retailers that have a waiting list up for them. All the latest OC results I've seen are still the old B3 steppings. I'm not going to order anything till I'm halfway sure that the new steppings sre out on the street.

[RA1D]

Originally Posted by Finrir

what is the difference between a reagular quad like the Q6600 and a quad extreme QX6700 besides a little more speed? why is the Q6600 soon to be $266 and the QX6700 is almost 1k?

well, you are comparing the price of the q6600 after the price drop and the current price of the qx6700 so of course there's going to be a huge difference.

articles i've read have placed the q6700 (new name/model, similar specs) to be in the $500 range so maybe it would be better to compare 2.4Ghz @ ~$266 and 2.66 @ ~$530.

[Dr. V]

Originally Posted by RAID

well, you are comparing the price of the q6600 after the price drop and the current price of the qx6700 so of course there's going to be a huge difference.

articles i've read have placed the q6700 (new name/model, similar specs) to be in the $500 range so maybe it would be better to compare 2.4Ghz @ ~$266 and 2.66 @ ~$530.

Correct.

[Finrir]

oh well i didn't hear about intel dropping the price on their QX6700... how hard is it to overclock a Q6600? i'm not all that good with computers so maybe i should just pick up the QX6700....