Final Thoughts and Conclusions
Seeing the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 processor (4MB Cache, 2.33 GHz, 1333MHz FSB) trade blows with the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor (8M Cache, 2.40 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB) was very impressive. Why is that impressive? Back in 2007 when the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor was launched it cost $851 in 1,000 quantities. When the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 was released it was available for just $245 in 1,000 quantities. The actual street price today on an Intel Q8200 is just $169.99, so you are getting a great performing chip at a fraction of what it cost just two years ago. Not to mention that the processor we looked at today was built on a newer 45nm processor, uses less power since it is a 65W TDP part and is even more environmentally friendly thanks to being halide and lead free.
The overclocking performance was impressive, as anytime you can get a 1GHz overclock with minimal effort you can't complain about wanting more. With the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200S overclocked to 3.3GHz the processor came alive and felt like a whole new processor. Not a bad feeling for something that didn't cost you any more money.
If you are looking to build a system and are wanting to run a 45nm quad-core processor then give the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 a close look. At $169.99 shipped it will be hard to pass up at a time like now when consumers are starting to budget their hard earned money. With hundreds of LGA 775 motherboards on the market running Intel chipsets you also don't have to look too far to find a great motherboard to build a solid and stable computer. For those of you looking to build a HTPC or SFF, you should take a closer look at the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200S 65W TDP. The extra price might be well worth it to you since heat and noise are the main areas of concern when building one of those systems.
Legit Bottom Line: The Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200S processor isn't the fastest processor around, but it won't dissapoint and loves to be overclocked!
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