Q9650 great s775 CPU (Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 / 3 GHz)

Member Name: hallryu

Product:	Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 / 3 GHz
Date:	16/09/09 (27 review reads)
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Advantages: Overclocks like a dream

Disadvantages: Price compared to the i7 920.

As i7 and i5 become more popular it is going to be hard to Intel to justify the price tag on this top performer in the Core 2 Quad range. I would like to see these drop in price. However, if they don't this is still a fantastic performer.

I have owned one of these for a few months now. If you are into over-clocking these CPU's are a dream to play with. I recommend a good P45 board for this processor. The enthusiasts top favourite is possibly the Gigabyte P45-UD3R or P45-UD3P. Couple one of these with a good Q9650 and you can be running at 4GHz with a VCore around 1.25-1.3v.

On my X48-DS4 I have a VCore of 1.381v for a 4GHz over-clock (Expect higher VCore on an X48 board). 3DMark Vantage scores in the low 18000's (with 2 4890's also over-clocked)

These CPU's are fantastic over-clockers and will make any 775 board fly. Even at stock clocks these processors are impressive.

Multi-tasking is simply a breeze with this CPU. Gaming, encoding whatever this CPU owns!

If you are looking to keep your S775 board for a year or two then there is no better quad to go with it than this.

Summary: Still a fantastic processor

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