xorbePeople are simply used to appliance wattage numbers. *shrug* They see a wattage, that's how much it uses!

This is not a Xbox MW3 forum, there must be a better explanation, well ...I hope at least :)

HoodThat CPU at that speed performs on par with an i3-2120, a CPU no serious gamer would even consider in 2013 (or 2011 for that matter). I you don't believe me, look at this chart;
www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html
The Q6600 is the 4th one from the bottom of the chart, scores 2962 CPU marks, I'm adding a generous 30% for the overclock, ~3850, even though it probably would score less due to it's limited memory bandwidth.
My brother still has the same CPU as you, but he's not a gamer, and he doesn't overclock. I mess with him regularly, about does it runs on electricity or does it have a waterwheel to power it, etc.
If you're still not convinced, download Passmark Performance Test, run it, and see how many CPU marks you score. My i5-3570K overclocked to 4.6 GHz scores a little over 9000.
What games are you playing? My guess would be older DX9 games if you are still happy with the Q6600.

I always try and make this point but people seem to think CPU's are entirely irrelevant. As a frame of reference, I had a Q6600 with an HD5850 for a while. I played the MMO Rift, and I was getting ~30fps on medium settings. I upgraded to an i5-2500k, and at stock speeds I was playing on high at ~40fps. CPU's do matter for a lot of games. I cringe a bit when I see someone with a Q6600 OC'd with a GTX580 or HD6950's in crossfire or some shit. I know the rationale is always upgrade to a whole new system, then get a new GPU, then get another one to crossfire\SLi them, but you hit a point where getting a new CPU would probably yield better performance than a second GPU...

Seriously, Intel just pisses me off.

I just can't bring myself to buy their products with their current business practices.

They shouldn't be charging $30 extra just for the ability to overclock.

That is complete crap.

Eric_CartmanSeriously, Intel just pisses me off.

I just can't bring myself to buy their products with their current business practices.

They shouldn't be charging $30 extra just for the ability to overclock.

That is complete crap.

Why not?

KantasticWhy not?

Because locking a feature that every processor used to have and then charging $30 to allow you to do it again is a step backwards.

Technology shouldn't move backwards.

RCoonIf it aint broke, fix it 'til its broke :toast:

roflmao nicely done there good sir :toast:

so all in all the 4770k is about the same as the 3770k just with a new graphics chip? :confused::confused:

Eric_CartmanBecause locking a feature that every processor used to have and then charging $30 to allow you to do it again is a step backwards.

Technology shouldn't move backwards.

Yes, since the CPUs that don't overclock offer some nice features that play a role in stability and performance. You don't get things like VT-d and vPro when you get a k edition skt1155 CPU, which is a good reason why I decided to go with the 3820 (sans vPro, I really wanted VT-d, 8-dimm slots, and the 40 PCI-E lanes though). I get the features I want and I can still overclock, thanks for the bclk straps, my limit it something like 5.5Ghz (which I will never reach. :) )
Who needs a K edition CPU anyways? :p

I think Intel is well within their bounds to do this though. Also consider if Haswell has a bclk strap, we might see non-K cpu become overclockable again (like the 3820), but we shall see.

xenocideI always try and make this point but people seem to think CPU's are entirely irrelevant. As a frame of reference, I had a Q6600 with an HD5850 for a while. I played the MMO Rift, and I was getting ~30fps on medium settings. I upgraded to an i5-2500k, and at stock speeds I was playing on high at ~40fps. CPU's do matter for a lot of games. I cringe a bit when I see someone with a Q6600 OC'd with a GTX580 or HD6950's in crossfire or some shit. I know the rationale is always upgrade to a whole new system, then get a new GPU, then get another one to crossfire\SLi them, but you hit a point where getting a new CPU would probably yield better performance than a second GPU...

Well this basically sealed the deal for me, I'll have to buy a new computer.

It's actually kind of funny, there is a lot of people on TPU sporting their q6600's that don't seem to realize the big rift that has formed. Yea some of us are overclocked to 3.6ghz+ but fact of the matter is, i drop in a 7870 and there really wasn't a huge increase in performance over my 4890 (it died). My system is really holding things back now.

Eric_CartmanBecause locking a feature that every processor used to have and then charging $30 to allow you to do it again is a step backwards.

Technology shouldn't move backwards.

You are looking it the wrong way round. They are giving a $30 discount if you are willing to forgo the ability to overclock :toast:

Eric_CartmanSeriously, Intel just pisses me off.

I just can't bring myself to buy their products with their current business practices.

They shouldn't be charging $30 extra just for the ability to overclock.

That is complete crap.

I have no problem with the extra $30 tbh, it's not $100 after all, and a little extra for some enthusiast feature is understandable, me thinks. What I don't understand is that why on earth would they take away features like vPro, VT-d and Trusted Execution if I go with an unlocked CPU? I understand that you can still easily OC the non-K 3770 to 4.3Ghz, but it's still a "let down" imo.