Need help with a new build

[oshia86]

Ok im building a new system soon and i need help. Unfortunately i've been an amd guy till now and i wanna switch to a intel quad core system. The thing is i know alot about amd systems and little about intels. So all im gonna need now is a new motherboard, processor and ram. The only thing im sure of is the q6600 with go stepping from clubit, so really i need help of a quality board and ram. My system specs are in my sig. Thank you for everything. This will certainly be used for gaming. And im looking for a decent overclocking board but nothing to over the top. I think i would be happy with 3ghz and want some ram will match.

 

[oshia86]

anyone?

 

[engiNURD]

Whats your budget?

Boards to consider:
Abit IP35 Pro
Asus P5K-E
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R

RAM to consider:
4GB: G.Skill PQ kit or Patriot ELK kit, DDR2-800 is all you need
2GB: G.Skill NQ kit or Crucial Ballistix, DDR2-800

Cooler to consider:
Tuniq Tower 120
Thermalright Ultra 120 + S-Flex fan

Formulas for Intel platform @ 1:1 settings:
(CPU Multiplier) x [Base FSB speed] = CPU Clock speed
2 x [Base FSB speed] = RAM speed
4 x [Base FSB speed] = Effective FSB speed

On Intel platforms, running the RAM higher than a 1:1 ratio with the CPU is mostly useless. All you need is a 1:1 config. Here's some possible clock speeds (as always with OC'ing, YMMV):

Q6600: 9 × 266 = 2.4Ghz, DDR2-533 << STOCK speeds
Q6600: 9 × 333 = 3.0Ghz, DDR2-667 << Nice OC
Q6600: 9 × 378 = 3.4Ghz, DDR2-756 << Good OC, near max for B3 stepping
Q6600: 9 × 400 = 3.6Ghz, DDR2-800 << Great OC, near max for G0 stepping

 

[oshia86]

Well im gonna have about $1500 to play with so i think that would be plenty for this.

 

[engiNURD]

Hm... why the upgrade? Your current rig specs look fine to me. You might want to hold off until Q1'08, when the new Yorkfield quadcore Intel CPUs come out. They're 45nm, so they require less voltage. Less voltage means they run cooler. If they run cooler, that means they probably OC better/easier.

Also the Eaglelake chipset is coming out around that time, too. Its basically an update to the Bearlake chipset (P35 Express family; G33/P35/X38).

Oh, and the new NVIDIA cards are supposed to come out during that time too, to replace the 8800GTX and 8800Ultra. You could always sell your old parts to help offset the cost of new ones.


But... if you must upgrade now...

Anyhow, wow, lots of $$ to play with. Upgrade your HDD while you're at it. Go for a Seagate 7200.10 Barracuda 320GB for around $80. Its most likely faster than your 160GB.

78MB/s: WD Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB, $160AR
65MB/s: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB, $80
65MB/s: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3300620AS 300GB, $60
52MB/s: WD Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB, $70
112MB/s: RAID0 'cuda's, 600GB total, $120 (ICH9R on P35-DS3R)

$276 - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 2.40GHz 8MB L2 LGA775 BX80562Q6600 SLACR
$180 - Abit IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 Express ($20 MIR)
$190 - G.Skill 4GB(2x2GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
$80 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200RPM SATA300 16MB Cache
$55 - Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme
$15 - Scythe S-Flex Fan SFF21E 120mm fan 1200RPM 49CFM 20.1dBA
=============
$796 + tax and shipping - $20 MIR

 

[oshia86]

Ya thats funny actually cause the hd is on the list to, i just didnt mention it cause i was sure about it, well to be honest ive been debating on this computer upgrade or a new top end swap on my cars motor (not necessary but just for some good horsepower). And the other day i played on a friends computer with a q6600 and it seemed much more responsive. Anyway i know my system isnt slow its just i have the money now and would like to up my processor speed some more and my dang 4600+ is at its max with stock volts and no matter what else i do i cant get it even 100mhz more and have tried with 2 coolers and boards. And btw great job on the list, and thanks.

 

[engiNURD]

My car hobby was too expensive for me... my computer hobby is much easier on my wallet, lol.

You can't go wrong with upgrading to a Q6600 right now anyhow, so go for it. It should last you quite a while.

 

[oshia86]

Ya i have a grand am 3400 and i ive done alot to it allready and was planning on installing a top end from a 3500 (used in g6) with some ported heads and manifolds and custom tuning putting the grand ma at about 240hp-ish and mid-low 14 1/4 mile. It would probably take the whole 1500 for that so ya its a little more expensive then computers but it isnt "outdated" in a year . Anyway thanks for your help its much appreciated.

 

[engiNURD]

Ya i have a grand am 3400 and i ive done alot to it allready and was planning on installing a top end from a 3500 (used in g6) with some ported heads and manifolds and custom tuning putting the grand ma at about 240hp-ish and mid-low 14 1/4 mile.

Not bad... but not sure its worth the $150 to me.

It would probably take the whole 1500 for that so ya its a little more expensive then computers but it isnt "outdated" in a year . Anyway thanks for your help its much appreciated.

Heh, thats SO true... but yah, no prob.