Buying a new CPU for my ThinkCentre M58p - Use or New?

[Guest]

My next project is to upgrade my desktop and I not sure how to go about buying this CPU. Currently it has a Duo Core 2 E8400 and I want to upgrade to at least a Q9550. The Q9550S is just to expensive right now for me - $550. You cannot find it used either for some reason. I was looking at the Q9650 but that in around the high $275 range. This use is around $220. The Q9550 new is about $225 range and use it varies depending on risk from $100 to $260 used. I was looking at Xeon too; since the upper end tend to be copies of the 9000 series.

I need to know which CPU to buy and to buy use or new and where to go for the best price.

Thanks.

[Harry_Wild]

I forgot to log in and I am a "guest"! LOL!

I am considering a Intel® Xeon® Processor X3380 (12M Cache, 3.16 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB) for the M58p.

Varies Ebay sellers said that this would work if it would work with the Q9650.

Here is are the specs and link:

http://ark.intel.com/products/41094/Intel-Xeon-Processor-X3380-12M-Cache-3_16-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB
Specifications


Essentials

Status
Announced

Launch Date
Q1'09

Processor Number
X3380

# of Cores
4

Clock Speed
3.16 GHz

L2 Cache
12 MB

FSB Speed
1333 MHz

FSB Parity
No

Instruction Set
64-bit

Embedded Options Available
No

Lithography
45 nm

Max TDP
95 W

VID Voltage Range
0.8500V-1.3625V

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The Intel Xeon X3380.

These processors are GUARANTEED to work with ANY motherboard that would normally support a Q9000-series Core 2 Quad.

!!! Please Note you may need a BIOS update before running this chip, depending on when you bought your board !!!
If your system can already rund a Q9000 -series Core 2 Quad, then you should be good to go.

This processor is the Xeon Equivalent of the extremely rare (and expensive) Q9700. It outpaces the popular Q9650 and QX9650 at a blistering 3.16GHz

It also has an economical advantage over the QX9770. It has the more accommodating 1333MHz bus speed, meaning you wont need to find some insanely expensive motherboard for it to work.



GENERAL


Core
Multi-Core
Model Yorkfield
Quad-Core
X3380


SPECS


Operating Frequency
Bus
L2 Cache
Manufacturing Tech
64-bit Support
Virtualization Support 3.16 GHz
1333MHz
12MB
45 nm
Yes
Yes

PERFORMANCE




Voltage
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 0.85V - 1.3625V
95 Watts