Compared to what? It's a great chip, but it depends entirely on what you're coming from...

Well I'm coming from a E6300 and comparing it to a QX6800 and im using it for gaming. Actually I got it on Ebay at a good price but actually bid on a QX6800 and got that one instead. For the price I'm wondering if I should keep it or send it back. It overclocks nice in the 720.

   I have two of them in 720's. One running @ 3.7, and the other running @ 3.4. I do digital imaging with photoshop......

    These processors are awesome

I'd say, it all depends on what your primary use is. If you're mainly gaming, then the Core 2 Duo Extreme is a great chip, and it'll likely be some time before games generally support even two cores, let alone four. If you do video editing and such, then you'd likely be happier with the quad core (even for more money).

 

If you got a REALLY good deal, then I'd hang on to it and consider your options later when prices on today's quad cores drop. I believe Intel's releasing a new round of processors in Q1, and so it's likely that the current top end will move closer to today's median prices.

I actually paid $450.00 dollars new in box won on a bid. What speed can u safely overclock to with stock air cooling in the 720??? The price is a reason why I dont want to get rid of it even if its not what i bid on. I do modern gaming.

If I understand correctly you wanted the X6800 but you bid on the QX6800. QX6800 is really good. It will be a lot better for your system overall. That was a pretty good deal you got it at about half of the retail price according to what they have it going for on Newegg. I would say it should do good and gaming and will continue to do good for future until they start utilizing all 4 cores. QX6800 is basically 2- X6800's in one package.  

 

I myself upgraded my E6300 to the QX6850 and I am not even looking back at core 2 duo's. Long live the quads!!!

 

XPS 710-->720
XP MCE

QX6850
4 GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer 1066
2x 160 GB 10,000 rpm (Raid 0)
2x BFG 8800 GTX OC 2 SLI
SB X-Fi Fatality

 

 

      I have one of each and notice no difference at all in the apps I run. Until software and games are developed to take advantage of 4 cores, the only difference you will notice are the Q's will run warmer, and maybe alittle quicker on intense video editing.

 

     Somehow I'm sure someone will blame MS or Dell for this,,,lol

I guess I will keep it for now, Its working pretty good. I currently have it at 3.20 and all is well. But yes I bid on what was a QX6800 and got a X6800. The person said if i wasnt happy I could return it, but I will keep it. That is the price I payed for it. What can I run this at saftely  with the stock cooler in the 720 I know Dell list the speeds for the QX6800 but not the X6800.

I'm not sure what motherboard and GPU is in your system, but if it's an nVidia chipset (and GPU, of course) then you could always install and run nTune, and let it test your system for the most stable combination of settings.

   One of mine runs @ 3.7, the other @ 3.4, with no issues at all.