Please help me decide between these CPUs

Please help me decide, I can't do it on my own. I would like to uprade the T5450 CPU in my 6831FX, but cant decide which one to choose...here are the CPUs I was looking at:
-Intel Core 2 Extreme X7900 (2.8Ghz but can overclock to 3.0 Ghz, 800Mhz FSB, 4MB L2 cache): $325 Is it safe to use this in Gateway FX? I heard that earlier Extreme processors killed a lot of notebooks (+a little "off topic": XPS M1730 BIOS lets this CPU to OC to 3.2Ghz...why does Gateway BIOS only lets it to 3.0Ghz??)

-Intel Core 2 Duo T9500 (2.8Ghz, 800 Mhz FSB, 6MB L2 cache): $315

-Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 (2.4Ghz, 800Mhz FSB, 3MB L2 cache): $195

(Prices include shipping)

Please tell which one should I choose. And also please describe it why. Thank you!

 

How are you getting the T9500 that cheap anyway?

And yes, it's perfectly fine in the Gateway. Look at all the X7900 and X 7800 users, it runs hotter, but it's still usable.

Because Gateway locked its BIOS. Why did Gateway lock it? Possibly to prevent the same issue you're worried about. Higher OC = less stable = possibly more problems.

 

If u want to play safe go for the T9500....it shud mostly satisfy ur computing demands..
if u r into overclocking go for the X7900....u might have to do something about the heatsink....the extreme editions are gud but the 0.2ghz inc in clock frequency wont make it better than the T9500....u shud probably compare the T9500 with the X9000 (if that is u can get a good working cpu ordered from china)....i got mine and it worked flawlessly....
or u may try getting ur hands on a good engineering sample....although it wud have been brutalised enough but will have the multiplier unlocked..

 

I miscalculated and wrote wrong price for that, corrected now

 

that is still very cheap compare to newegg, which sells T8300 for 250$

 

Okay, that makes a lot more sense.

The question is, are you comfortable with overclocking your laptop?

If you are, go for the X series. If you're not, stick to the T9500. However, I would suggest for you to grab the T8300 or T9300 instead.

 

Yeah, seriously. I want to buy a T8300 for my laptop. Where are you finding it for $195? I've not seen it below $226.00.

Matt

 

x7900 will offer no advantage over x7800 both o/c max 3ghz.
they run hot and as such unless in a cool room i would suggest to avoid the 3.0ghz mark. as such the advantage over t9300 or t9500 are minimal and the t9xxx run cooler and are more power efficient.

all this said i am very happy with my x7800.

in the end it depends on how much you pay for it and how you will use it.