Computer upgrades...C2D to C2Q

(This is from 12.04.2009)

As some o' you might remember...I assembled my new/current desktop last year. Given the money constraints at the time I went with the e7200 2.53 ghz 3mb cache C2D processor...which although an excellent processor was the bottom of the (then) new 45nm C2Ds from Intel. I then went on to overclock the hell outta that proc. getting as high as 3.9 ghz. But at that speed I hadta bump up the voltage to 1.38...going up quite a bit in the last 100-150 mhz. For my regular/daily use I settled down at 3.58 ghz at 1.24v voltage.

Well, I recently (as in yesterday) got a new q9550 2.83 ghz 12mb cache C2Q processor. Now, before anyone starts harping on the i5s and i7s...please note that I have a socket 775 mb and at this point 'm not interested in starting from scratch (as in mb, ram, etc.). 'nyways, I got the cpu yesterday evening and after getting it running for a few minutes, restarted and bumped it up from the stock 2.83 ghz to 3.08 qhz...after which I ran the usual gamut of benchmark tests, both for short period testing and for the "rock solid" 24hr run. For the voltage I have left it at "auto" i.e. allowing the mb to set it for itself. For all the tests it passed with flying colours.

I have now bumped it up even further...not much, just to 3.11 ghz. Have run the short term tests and tonight will start with the 24hr run. If it works out, then will push it even higher until the voltage gives...and then push the voltage a bit higher. Even tho' I am not hoping to get all that close to the 3.58 ghz I had with my e7200 I would like it if I can cross the 3.2ghz mark...which, given the 2 extra cores and 9mb extra cache will make for real kick-in-the-pants upgrade.

Oh, and as for my old trusty warhorse e7200...'m holding onto that for my next project (which I hope to do sometime next spring/summer)...building myself a home file/backup/media server.