I was all set to wait a couple of weeks, let it get cheaper, and then pop in the e8600. Then I read this: http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20080917PD213.htmlIs my upgrade plan still sound, or with the price drops is there a way to go quad core (with at least 4gHz or better) at the same $250 or less price-point?Sam, Gary, Nick et al- thoughts please!Best-Carl F. Avari-Cooper BAW0225http://online.vatsimindicators.net/980091/523.png| XP Pro SP3 with FS-GS System Unification | 2 x APC UPS | Coolermaster Stacker 830 SE | Asus P5E-Deluxe (X48) | e8500 @ 4gHz | Tuniq Tower 120 | EVGA 8800GT 512MB | Sony 40" Bravia XBR | 2 x 1 GB Corsair XMS2 | 500GB Seagate Barracuda 32MB SATA2 x2 (Acronis) | Corsair HX620W PS | CH Products Yoke-Pedals-Throttle Quadrant | Aerosoft 747MCP-EFIS-EICAS |

.......bump!Best-Carl F. Avari-Cooper BAW0225http://online.vatsimindicators.net/980091/523.png| XP Pro SP3 with FS-GS System Unification | 2 x APC UPS | Coolermaster Stacker 830 SE | Asus P5E-Deluxe (X48) | e8500 @ 4gHz | Tuniq Tower 120 | EVGA 8800GT 512MB | Sony 40" Bravia XBR | 2 x 1 GB Corsair XMS2 | 500GB Seagate Barracuda 32MB SATA2 x2 (Acronis) | Corsair HX620W PS | CH Products Yoke-Pedals-Throttle Quadrant | Aerosoft 747MCP-EFIS-EICAS |

If you don't need to have it right at this moment, yeah I'd wait for the price cuts. not sure if that one will drop in price, considering it's fairly new. but you might be able to get a newer CPUThat Q8300 looks nice...

>I was all set to wait a couple of weeks, let it get cheaper,>and then pop in the e8600. Then I read this:>http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20080917PD213.html>>Is my upgrade plan still sound, or with the price drops is>there a way to go quad core (with at least 4gHz or better) at>the same $250 or less price-point?I am sure price cuts will be going around as the next gen platform is introduced. It

Between the CPU improvements, and the probable addition of better assigned multi-core support across the application spectrum (and especially FS11)- its a great time to be a Simmer :)I will wait a bit- but that e8600 and new memory makes 4.5gHz look very real!Best-Carl F. Avari-Cooper BAW0225http://online.vatsimindicators.net/980091/523.png| XP Pro SP3 with FS-GS System Unification | 2 x APC UPS | Coolermaster Stacker 830 SE | Asus P5E-Deluxe (X48) | e8500 @ 4gHz | Tuniq Tower 120 | EVGA 8800GT 512MB | Sony 40" Bravia XBR | 2 x 1 GB Corsair XMS2 | 500GB Seagate Barracuda 32MB SATA2 x2 (Acronis) | Corsair HX620W PS | CH Products Yoke-Pedals-Throttle Quadrant | Aerosoft 747MCP-EFIS-EICAS |

I agree that 4.5 would be very nice...but after seeing this from Nick:I can sneak peak the next gen a tad and say they are 'hitting the mark' even with the product only in alpha stage, something I have personally seen and can confirm. What we would know today as 5GHz+ clock calculations are taking place on 3.8-4GHz with next genI don't think he's telling us everything he knows. When the next gen are released, which is just around the corner, hopefully we'll be in for a very pleasant surprise. I think I'd just wait a bit.Regards,Jim Karn

Yes, Ive been contemplating the e8600 too but the 8500 does pretty well. Probably best to wait. Either the next generation will have a worse price performance ratio in which case get the 8600 or it will be a big leap and you've saved some of the money towards it.

I agree. That's a tough upgrade from 3.1 to 3.3 is ~ a 6% performance boost. Kinda xspensv for a $250 bill. Keep your power dry. Maybe the myoptomists really will get that 5/3.8 = 1.3, or 30% increase with a FS/Nehalem combo. At least that'll get us another notch or 2 of AG with the new Long Beach Queen. But really, that's gona be about it. On approach, 20 FPS goes to 26FPS + it takes an entirely mobo/CPU/(ram) set. For 30%? Both Ugh! And ho-humm. Personally, I'm holding out for my normal upgrade target of 1000% (10X). That'll be coming with the Nehalem 32nm shrink's core2 re-think, Sandybridge + FS11. Another 18 - 24 months ought to do it. HAng oN.

Hi;Sorry maybe a little bit off-topic.Can I have your opinions about upgrading from E6850 to E8600?About waiting for Next-generation CPUs for example Nehalem, I am worry because maybe my P35 motherboard can

>Hi;>Sorry maybe a little bit off-topic.>Can I have your opinions about upgrading from E6850 to E8600?>About waiting for Next-generation CPUs for example Nehalem, I>am worry because maybe my P35 motherboard can

>>Nehalem is a new platform. You can not upgrade to Nehalem from>your current board. Nehalem requires 3 sticks of DDR3 memory>and a new motherboard to function.>Nehalem owners MUST use 3 sticks? Not 2 or 4? That would be something.RhettFS box: E8500 (@ 3.80 ghz), AC Freezer 7 Pro, ASUS P5E3 Premium, BFG 8800GTX 756 (nVidia 169 WHQL), 4gb DDR3 1600 Patriot Cas7 7-7-7-20 (2T), PC Power 750, WD 150gb 10000rpm Raptor, Seagate 500gb, Silverstone TJ09 case, Vista Ultimate 64ASX Client: AMD 3700+ (@ 2.6 ghz), 7800GT

>>>>Nehalem is a new platform. You can not upgrade to Nehalem>from>>your current board. Nehalem requires 3 sticks of DDR3 memory>>and a new motherboard to function.>>>>Nehalem owners MUST use 3 sticks? Not 2 or 4? That would be>something.>>RhettJust like todays platforms will run on 1, 2, 3 or 4 so will Nehalem however just as todays systems require 2 sticks for dual-channel operation, Nehalem requires 3 for tri-channel operation and that function has more impact than todays dual design.

>>Just like todays platforms will run on 1, 2, 3 or 4 so will>Nehalem however just as todays systems require 2 sticks for>dual-channel operation, Nehalem requires 3 for tri-channel>operation and that function has more impact than todays dual>design. >>>Ah, I see. Tri Channel op. That is pretty interesting.I wonder if we'll see six dimm motherboards...doubt it due to space constraints. But I bet we'll see some 3 dimm boards!RhettFS box: E8500 (@ 3.80 ghz), AC Freezer 7 Pro, ASUS P5E3 Premium, BFG 8800GTX 756 (nVidia 169 WHQL), 4gb DDR3 1600 Patriot Cas7 7-7-7-20 (2T), PC Power 750, WD 150gb 10000rpm Raptor, Seagate 500gb, Silverstone TJ09 case, Vista Ultimate 64ASX Client: AMD 3700+ (@ 2.6 ghz), 7800GT

>>>>Just like todays platforms will run on 1, 2, 3 or 4 so will>>Nehalem however just as todays systems require 2 sticks for>>dual-channel operation, Nehalem requires 3 for tri-channel>>operation and that function has more impact than todays dual>>design. >>>>>>>>Ah, I see. Tri Channel op. That is pretty interesting.>I wonder if we'll see six dimm motherboards...doubt it due to>space constraints. But I bet we'll see some 3 dimm boards!>All Nellie boards will have 3 dimms, most 4. I have seen a few layout designs with 6 which is geared toward the server and the video editing and engineering/design workhorse markets

>Just like todays platforms will run on 1, 2, 3 or 4 so will>Nehalem however just as todays systems require 2 sticks for>dual-channel operation, Nehalem requires 3 for tri-channel>operation and that function has more impact than todays dual>design. >But why DDR3? Shouldn't DDR2 work as well?