Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad-Core Processor, 2.40 GHz, 8M L2 Cache, LGA 775

Amazon Customer Reviews

(5 out of 5)

For the money, this is the ONLY option!

I did not purchase my G0 Q6600 from Amazon. Back in late October, 2007 the G0's were scarce, so I went with a vendor who guaranteed that I would get one (versus the distinct possibility of getting the older "B3" version of the processor with most other vendors, including Amazon).

For the uninitiated, the usefulness of a quad-core CPU versus the more ubiquitous (and less expensive) dual-core version is dubious for most desktop users. Most applications are not multi-threaded and therefore are not able to make use of the extra CPU cores packed onto the Q6600. Your operating system (Windows, Apple OSX, Linux, etc) can, to some extent, "balance" (sometimes) different tasks between cores, in which case a multi-core CPU can yield noticeable advantages.

However, many software developers are adding "multi-thread" capability to future versions of their applications to take advantage of the new processors. Therefore, at this moment, a quad-core CPU is the best bet for "future-proofing" your computer (if there is such a thing), and Intel is the leader of the pack -- by a wide margin (substantiated by every review on the planet).

Why the Q6600?

For starters, the price/performance ratio of the Q6600 is nothing short of remarkable. This processor has single-handedly given the average desktop user high-end, workstation-caliber performance for a price that is simply unimaginable. The Q6600's dual-core sibling, the E6600, is only a few dollars less expensive. The Q6600 is essentially TWO Intel E6600 processors, for only a few dollars more. It's a no-brainer, especially since the Q6600 will run on most of the same motherboards that support the E6600.

Second, the Q6600 (especially the newer G0 model) can be easily overclocked to a speed that rivals or exceeds Intel's latest flagship $1000+ quad-core "Extreme" processors (as-of this writing). With just 60 seconds in the motherboard BIOS, my Q6600 is running at 3.2GHz, air-cooled (ie: heatsink and fan), at all stock voltages and RAM FSB (800MHz). Only the CPU is actually overclocked (using a GA-P35-DSR3 motherboard) again, at stock Vcore (1.3v). It is rock-solid stable (Prime95 "Torture Test" for 24 hours) and the four cores never exceed 50C (SpeedFan, corrected) under load and run at 20-30C idle. I have run it at a fully-stable 3.6GHz, but prefer the cooler temps that 3.2GHz operates at. I am reasonably certain that I could get to 4GHz if I wanted to move to water cooling, though I haven't experienced any lust for more power with the current setup (a first in my computing life).

I run 8GB (4x2GB) of Patriot Extreme Performance DDR2-800 RAM (at stock Bus and VLU) and an EVGA 8800GTX-OC GPU and this is the fastest desktop computer I have ever used (Windows Vista Ultimate x64).

I am NOT a gamer. I've never played a game on this computer. I do use Photoshop CS3, Lightroom, InDesign CS3, Illustrator CS3, Dreamweaver, Premiere Pro CS3, AfterEffects CS3, and a number of other CPU-intensive (and multi-threaded) applications. I can process PARs, rip RARs, convert x264 HD video, download NNTP, and write this review all at the same time, all without ANY noticeable slow-down or system "sluggishness." This processor has single-handedly ushered in a new era of personal computing productivity I never would have believed possible.

Behold, the power of four cores!

(4 out of 5)

Very, Very Good.

I just read somebody saying overclocking was for kids...? There must be a lot of smart kids nowadays then. Purchased on November '07 and got the G0 stepping. After quite a bit of fiddling; got it stable at 3.333Ghz using 800Mhz DDR2s and a EVGA MOBO! This processor is VERY, very good. Got it running Crysis at 1900x1200 with ALL options at high settings and 4x Antiasling! Frame rate at that level is not acceptable, it is amazingly playable. Just read a gamespot review the couln't get the QX67xx with a 600MB nVidia GTS 8800 to run at 1600x1x00 with the options at high. I gues that's where my SLIed 8800GTx2 got into play. I would suggest for the money this is a extremely smart choice. Overclocking IS HIGHLY recomended (not overspending on the QXs...) BUT DO get a smart motherboard. My EVGA 680i A1 was not quite up to the task.
I am feeding it 1.5Volts and 2.1 to the memory chips. As a whole, I am within factory specs and my temps at 44x4 while idle. On demanding tasks they are just shy of 60 degrees C. I guess this is wallet savy choice and with a very good peace of mind on your investment.

(5 out of 5)

Excellent processor, but don't buy it here!

The processor is very good and you can learn more about that over the internet.

The problem is Amazon. The processor has a new revision (G0) for some 4 months now but Amazon is still selling the old and much worse one (B3). I feel cheated for having bought this processor here paying the same price as other people do when buying the much better G0 from other retailers.
BEWARE!

(5 out of 5)

G0 Stepping at Amazon

Just got my Q6600 from Amazon and it is indeed the newer G0 stepping version. I ordered on July 28th, so I'm guessing if you ordered after that date, you'll get G0.

(5 out of 5)

Worth the money

I am very pleased with this processor. When I first built the system I had big plans to overclock it to 3GHz or better if possible. Once I had it I found that no matter what I did I could not maxout this processor, overclocking it was not really necessary and when I did overclock it to 3GHz I did not really notice anything different about the performance. Tasks that used to take most of the night such as video rendering now only take a few minutes. If something is stable and 'fast enough' then why push it over spec and shorten it's lifespan. Just for bragging rights? That is for kids. Clock speed is no longer important, the number of cores is and I probably wont upgrade until they come out with a 6 or 8 core CPU.