Core2Duo Build for gaming

[mispulpfiction]

I am buying this rig for gaming. Mostly WoW right now, with some CSS, and Battlefield 2.

Mostly concerned about combination of MB, RAM, video card, power supply combination. I am pretty set on going with the 6600 proc.

One specific question is: Do I need this expensive/fast ram to OC this baby? I would like to get the proc to around 3.6 (on air), depending on my luck.

So...how does this rig rate? as far as complimentary parts for a semi-high end build?

and btw the longer i wait, the more i lean towards an 8800GTS instead of the 7950.

Thanks for the input.



Product Description Unit Price
LIAN LI PC-V1000BPlus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $219.99
Model #: PC-V1000BPlus II
Item #: N82E16811112058

ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $214.99
Model #: P5WDH DELUXE/WIFI-AP
Item #: N82E16813131025

EVGA 512-P2-N637-AR GeForce 7950GT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP KO Superclocked Video Card - Retail $285.99
Model #: 512-P2-N637-AR
Item #: N82E16814130066

CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply - Retail $189.99
Model #: CMPSU-620HX
Item #: N82E16817139002

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail $316.00
Model #: BX80557E6600
Item #: N82E16819115003

Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC22G8500ELK - Retail $369.99
Model #: PDC22G8500ELK
Item #: N82E16820220161

Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM $219.99
Model #: WD1500ADFD
Item #: N82E16822136012

Scythe SCINF-1000 120mm CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail $57.99
Model #: SCINF-1000
Item #: N82E16835185027

 

[engiNURD]

Since you wont be using crossfire, go for a P965 Express board instead, like the P5B-E or DS3. Or if you want SLI capability, go for the P5N-E SLI.

3.6Ghz? Lets do some math... The E6600 has a stock cpu multiplier of 9:

3.6Ghz/9=400, so you need 400Mhz base FSB to reach 3.6Ghz. 400Mhz base FSB means 2 * 400 = DDR2-800 ram.

So unless you want to run the ram higher than 1:1, or push that CPU higher, there really is no need for higher speed ram with that CPU. Now, if you drop the CPU to the E6400, and want 3.6Ghz, thats a different story. The E6400 has a stock cpu multiplier of 8:

That would be 3.6/8=450Mhz base FSB, meaning you'd need some DDR2-900 ram, or ram capable of that speed.

So no, you don't need DDR2-1066 to reach 3.6Ghz with that CPU. If you got the E4300, which also has a stock multiplier of 9, you still wouldn't need that high speed ram. The E6300 has a multiplier of 7, btw, so I'll leave that math to you if you're curious about what ram you'll need. Most, if not all, Core2Duo CPUs can reach upwards of 3Ghz, usually capping out at 3.6Ghz on good air cooling.

 

[moosey]

Looks good. For o/c on an e6600 you should be fine with a 975X board, you don't need the real high FSB of the P965 boards to max that CPU. I'd also take a look at the BadAxe2 in addition to the Asus. Nice build overall.

Also, you'll be fine with this memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220144

 

[ap3rtis]

You could cut down to the Corsair 520W power supply to save some money. Could then put that towards the 8800gts. just a thought.

 

[engiNURD]

You could cut down to the Corsair 520W power supply to save some money. Could then put that towards the 8800gts. just a thought.

Yah, drop the RAM to the DDR2-800 Patriot sticks that moosey posted, saving you $115. Drop the mobo to the P5B-E, saving you $65. Drop the 620W down to the 520W, saving you another $40. Thats a total of $220 savings (not counting rebates) that you could put towards an 8800GTS or GTX. You'll still be able to reach 3.6Ghz very easily, and now have a better video card to go along with it.

While you don't need the high FSB speeds that the P965 Express chipset based boards are capable of, you also don't need the crossfire functionality of the i975X chipset. Therefore, instead of wasting money on the 975x, go for a cheaper solution that will give you the same OC'ing results with the E6600. The 520W Corsair is more than enough power for such a system.

 

[belmicah]

Yah, drop the RAM to the DDR2-800 Patriot sticks that moosey posted, saving you $115. Drop the mobo to the P5B-E, saving you $65. Drop the 620W down to the 520W, saving you another $40. Thats a total of $220 savings (not counting rebates) that you could put towards an 8800GTS or GTX. You'll still be able to reach 3.6Ghz very easily, and now have a better video card to go along with it.

While you don't need the high FSB speeds that the P965 Express chipset based boards are capable of, you also don't need the crossfire functionality of the i975X chipset. Therefore, instead of wasting money on the 975x, go for a cheaper solution that will give you the same OC'ing results with the E6600. The 520W Corsair is more than enough power for such a system.

Tap, Tap, Tap.

Good post