recommendation for newbie

[wearywanderer]

I'm new to overclocking and am thinking of buying my first new PC in 3 years to replace an aging P4

I was hoping someone could give me recommendations on which components to choose - I've picked a few. Any suggestions/pros/cons are more than welcome!

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Cooling:
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

RAM:
G.SKILL DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166
CORSAIR DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
CORSAIR XMS2 DHX DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145194
Crucial Ballistix DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148069

Motherboard:
Intel BOXD975XBX2KR LGA 775 ATX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121059
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 ATX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128337
ASUS P5K DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 ATX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131182

Video card:
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318


I hope to OC the processor to about 3.2GHz
I read in a forum that DDR2-800/PC2-6400 should be enough for regular aircooled overclocked LGA775 processors - is that true? What then is the benefit of a DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) RAM?

Thanks in advance!

 

[aevm]

Check out the GA-EP43-DS3L or the P5Q Pro. They are based on newer chipsets.

DDR2-800 is enough for 3.2 GHz. The AC 7 Pro is good for that too.

$31 more gets you a HD 4850, and it's worth it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102747

 

[wearywanderer]

DDR2-800 is enough for 3.2 GHz. The AC 7 Pro is good for that too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102747

Thank you!!
Any reason I should go for one or the other among:
CORSAIR DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
CORSAIR XMS2 DHX DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145194

Thanks a million!

 

[the last resort]

the DHX ram will have better cooling, which if you are overclocking, may be nice.

 

[aevm]

Just be careful with the DHX because it's taller. With the Freezer 7 it's fine, according to newegg reviews, but with some larger coolers it might not fit.

 

[wearywanderer]

Thank you very much... That's very useful info!

 

[Shadow703793]

Agreed with avem on the 4850(providing this is a gaming build). If it's not a high res(less than 1400*1200) gaming build get a 8800GS.

As for RAM just get DDR2 800. Try and get a P45-DS3L not the P43.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345
If you are on a budget and want a board less than $90, get the EP35-DS3L($83).

Also for the HSF, consider the XIGMATEK S1283. see review: http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

 

[aevm]

Hmmm, good point, I forgot to ask if it's a gaming PC. I just assumed so, what with the 8800GT in the first post. If it's not for gaming, even a $19 HD 3450 may be enough, or a $24 8400GS. Those are silent and consume less too.

 

[wearywanderer]

Agreed with avem on the 4850(providing this is a gaming build). If it's not a high res(less than 1400*1200) gaming build get a 8800GS.

As for RAM just get DDR2 800. Try and get a P45-DS3L not the P43.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345
If you are on a budget and want a board less than $90, get the EP35-DS3L($83).

Also for the HSF, consider the XIGMATEK S1283. see review: http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

How does the ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299 fare against the P45-DS3L?
I did read about the XIGMATEK S1283 but it sounded like installation needed some real effort...

Yes, I will be using the PC for gaming, though, its the occassional C&C3, Q4 and Bioshock... but I also wanna future-proof it to some degree

 

[aevm]

The P5Q Pro supports RAID. It also supports Crossfire, even though it's only at x8. The second PCI-E x16 slot on the P5Q Pro can also help if you want 3 or 4 monitors - you just stick a $30 HD 3450 or 8400GS in there.

Yes the Xigmatek is harder to install than the AC7 Pro. Any cooler is harder to install than the AC7 Pro, come to think of it. But, on the other hand, the Xigmatek will let you reach higher clocks. If you get it make sure your case is big enough first, and remember to get the retention bracket too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019

 

[Shadow703793]

^+1. I would expect both P5Q and the P45-DS3L to OC about the same since both are on the same chipset.

 

[bonecrush]

why don`t you try this asus maximus 2 formula mobo its good looking has good overclocking potential
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131319

 

[aevm]

Why? Because the price s##ks

$270+$11 shipping is too much for a P45 motherboard. For example you can get a P5E Deluxe X48 for $50 less and it does Crossfire at full 16x instead of 8x. Or the P5Q Pro P45 which costs $141 less and does Crossfire just as well as the Maximus 2. As far as overclocking is concerned, I doubt that there are major differences between these 3.

 

[iluvgillgill]

get a better cooler as that cooler would get you Q6600 to 3.2Ghz.i have both and it gone above 70C.3Ghz is achievable on the AC7 nothing higher.

 

[Triknives]

I read on newegg reviews ( i know...lame but someone did say it), that the GA-EP45 doesnt support 45nm chips out of the box. Isn't that rather stranage? I thought the P43/45 was the most updated chipset? I guess its just a simple bios update. Just thought it was strange. Im hopin someone on these forums is using it. Would love to get a response on how well it OC's.

 

[iluvgillgill]

its just a BIOS update. but the person is likely have bought the earlier BIOS version so his chip is not supported out of the box. but i think the ones you get now should be up to date.