Q9400 vs E8500 for Emulation

[H0R53]

What's better for emulation, the Q9400 or the E8500? The E has a higher single threaded rating than the Q due to its higher clock speed, but more cores will help.

 

Which would be better with a 1050ti 4GB Low Profile?

 

The CPU socket on my Optiplex motherboard has a broken pin and I'm too lazy to even try to fix it, so I have to order one (PCI slot was also broken), and they're only like $12, but I can make this one work by soldering a small ball of solder onto the CPU pad.

[Navbryce]

I would go with the Q9400 because it has more cores.

[H0R53]

2 minutes ago, Navbryce said:

I would go with the Q9400 because it has more cores.

Hmmm.

 

 

[Navbryce]

1 minute ago, H0R53 said:

Hmmm.

 

 

You do you, but it depends on what you're doing--sometimes more cores is better, sometimes higher clock speeds. In my opinion, more cores will limit you less.Old games typically take advantage of only one core, but more modern games usually can distribute the load across multiple cores. (Under the assumption you want to game)

[Jurrunio]

a P45 mobo is more important. Overclocked Q9400 is a good match for a 1050ti. Since your old mobo is already broken, get a better mobo.

[Guest]

Is this system going to be used purely for emulation?

[H0R53]

2 minutes ago, Navbryce said:

You do you, but it depends on what you're doing--sometimes more cores is better, sometimes higher clock speeds. In my opinion, more cores will limit you less.Old games typically take advantage of only one core, but more modern games usually can distribute the load across multiple cores. (Under the assumption you want to game)

My initial intent with this SFF computer is to replace my Wii as my media center.

 

Right now my Wii has the Homebrew channel installed, as well as a few emulators, and a full scale DVD player and media applet.

 

Unfortunately, it only does 480p on my 1366 media screen, which looks awful. This SFF Optiplex is the same size as an xBox One, so it doesn't take much space on the dresser at the foot of my bed (unlike the 32 inch TV it's hooked into).

1 minute ago, LeinadTM said:

Is this system going to be used purely for emulation?

I was planning on playing older DX9 games like Skyrim and doing emulation like Dolphin and PCSX2.

 

It has a DVD player, which is a plus for me as well.

Just now, Jurrunio said:

a P45 mobo is more important. Overclocked Q9400 is a good match for a 1050ti. Since your old mobo is already broken, get a better mobo.

This is an Optiplex SFF, no custom motherboards here. I also have not ordered the 1050ti yet, might get a 750ti LP if I can find one at a decent price.

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, H0R53 said:

My initial intent with this SFF computer is to replace my Wii as my media center.

 

I was planning on playing older DX9 games like Skyrim and doing emulation like Dolphin and PCSX2.

Go with the Q9400. Benchmarks don't lie, it's better for gaming, and being a workstation in general. http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core2-Quad-Q9400-vs-Intel-Core2-Duo-E8500/m244vsm13

[H0R53]

3 minutes ago, LeinadTM said:

Go with the Q9400. Benchmarks don't lie, it's better for gaming, and being a workstation in general. http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core2-Quad-Q9400-vs-Intel-Core2-Duo-E8500/m244vsm13

Okay.