bit-tech Shopping: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 Quad Core Processor

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Months

Strengths: Fast, four cores, overclocking ability, huge price cut, stock fan is quiet.

Weaknesses: The stock fan/heatsink will need to be replaced if you are overclocking. 2.66 GHz stock speed is a little slow compared to other chips available today.

Summary: There has been a huge price drop for the Q6700. The Q6600 is only $55 cheaper but it's also 260 MHz slower than the Q6700. The Q6700 has a x10 multiplier making it better for overclocking compared to the Q6600. I am currently running this chip at 3.0 GHz, but with sufficient cooling, I'm sure it can reach at least 3.5 GHz. Four cores is especially useful for future proofing because new apps and games will take advantage of all the cores that are available. This chip is on the 65nm tech so it will be compatible with most motherboards without a bios update.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 5 Days

Strengths: Excellent price/performance ratio after latest price cutsG0 stepping for lower temp & higher overclockQuad cpu cores for "future proofing"

Weaknesses: Higher wattage consumption than dual coreMajority of apps still do not support multi-coreLower default cpu clock than newest intel CPUs

Summary: The Q6x00 processors are beginning to show their age, which isn't bad as the prices have come down to dirt cheap levels. The Q6700 runs at a stock speed of 2.66GHz in contrast to the latest processors that run over 3GHz stock and have 1333MHz FSB support. However, the latest batch of Q6700 have very good overclocking potential, allowing performance to easily exceed current cpu stock speeds. My processor is currently running at 3.4GHz and runs WinXP rock solid and passes several hours of torture testing with MemTest and StressPrime. For those who have older systems (e.g. 975X chipset, etc) that don't support the latest Intel processors, the Q6700 is the top of the line. Ignore the QX6700 (Extreme) which is still massively overpriced and not likely to outperform Q6700 at all for most users. For others with newer motherboards, it may be worth purchasing a newer dual core cpu instead with a higher stock clock speed, as performance of most programs still is primarily dependent on core clock speed rather than number of cores. Other downsides are the higher energy consumption (even at idle) of quad core processors compared to dual core counterparts. Also, anyone purchasing this processor is strongly encouraged to find an aftermarket heatsink/fan. The included unit is actually decent for default settings or slight overclocking. But best results can only be achieved with a better HSF. I am using Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro with MX-2 thermal grease. Best of luck to all...

Rating: 10

Time with product: 4 Days

Strengths: Am a newbie to oc and wow this chip takes what you give. I got to oc to 3.6GHZ the mobo handled it, but my OS(Vista Ultimate 32bit) was reseting it.

Weaknesses: none, But what I researched it is to buy and after market heat sink. that the one that comes with it is not that great

Summary: Plus came with a game Unreal tournament. S**t, what can I ask for? Plus I used ASUS SILENT SQUARE EVO and things keeps it cool at all times 23-32C w/o & w/ load. Plus Artic Silver 5 Compound. It drop it from 42 to 29C.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Weeks

Strengths: Quad Core, 2.66GHz, Overclocking Monster!

Weaknesses: Way too expensive! Look around or wait for a good sale and buy the OEM version. That way you can choose your own cooler! I found a short mega sale and got the OEM for $259! So look before you buy!

Summary: I have this on an EVGA nforce 780i mobo with 4GB Corsair Platinum memory. Two EVGA GeForce 9600GTs in a Raidmax Smilodon Extreme case. I'm using a ZEROtherm Nirvana cpu cooler and it works great. 35C idle, 49C Load. I Oc'd this monster to 3.0GHz and it's stable as can be. Haven't used 3DMark06 yet cause I'm still tweaking but I'm sure I will get a high score! Using Windows XP 32 bit which will only recognize and use a little over 3GBs of the memory but I already had the memory so I put it all in.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 30 Days

Strengths: This CPU is amazing; very fast and rock solid.

Weaknesses: YEP, it's expensive.

Summary: I used this CPU in my son's latest "Frankenstein computer". It has allowed him to run all of the games that he's loaded at max settings, such as DOOM 3 and GHOST RECON (Adv. War Fighter). He really loves it and so do his buddies at college.