Hey guys,

I am running a Q6600 with DDR2 800 MHz memory, I want to upgrade to the Q9650 to get some more cpu power, but I don't want to upgrade the ram. Will 800 MHz ram work with the Q9650, and will I be able to get a stable overclock becuase I want to get the Q9650 to 4 GHz. I have read that the Q9650 multiplier is locked at 9.

On my Q6600 I always kept it at 3.2 GHz, and a 1:1 FSB : DRAM ratio, how can I get a 1:1 ratio with the Q9650? I have calculated that the only way is to have me 800 MHz ram running at 890 MHz. Do you think the ram will get up that high?

I think that with the 9x multiplier all I can do is 9 * 444, but with my ram at 800 wouldn't that make an unstable system? becuase the FSB : DRAM would be something like 1.1:1

Specs:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
ASUS P5N-D
2x GTX 280 OC
8GB DDR2 800 MHz
OCZ 1010W

Thanks
Chris

first of all the q9650 has a base multiplier of 11 not 9 but yes that cpu will run fine with 800Mhz ram. in which case you can do a 364 x 11=4004Mhz which should leave your ram at a reasonable rate for stability. i may be wrong on the multiplier but im not sure.

Yes, also Q6600 -> Q9650 isn't much of an upgrade.

with all due respect HK...the Q9650 blows the Q 6600 out of the water in every category...its not even close 65nm vs 45 nm 12 mb of L2 etc...etc

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/charts...,836.html?prod[2180]=on&prod[2194]=on

To an extent, but the Q9650 isn't too good a processor compared to recent offerings, especially since it still costs above $300.

that may be, but irrelevant. as his motherboard will not accept any of the 'recent offerings' you speak of. the Q 9650 is the best CPU he can use in his ASUS
P5N-D.http://www.asus.com/Product.aspx?P_ID=yQYfAtkxxZMjR79G , and it is a great upgrade from what he has now.

Pop in the 9650, run it at 400x10. 4000 MHz, and 800MHz RAM on the nose.

GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail$110
Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
$200
Costs less than a Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9650 - Retail at $330 no?

One thing to consider, windows may get mad at you and ask for a new installation.
Other than that, If you do go with the Q9650, it isn't necessary to match up the FSB and RAM rates.

except that he would have to throw away 8gb of DDR2 and replace it with 8gb of DDR3 and that would be how much?

thanks a lot for the replies, i think i will still go with the q9650 because i dont want to have to upgrade the motherboard / ram / cpu all at once, and from what ive read it can overclock very far so I think it would be good for me. ill come back here and get your help overclocking it if i have any problems.

and i will do 400x10 to get 4 GHz that looks perfect for my 800mhz ram

Oh right...uh, AM2+ ftw?