Best VfM Quad core CPU, Mobo & RAM.

[R.O.S.S.I]

Bit out of the loop with cpu's and mobo's as of late.

Just wondering if someone can recommend me the best value for money (power for pound) quad core cpu, mobo (features for pound) and ram (2 or 4gb) as i'm thinking of doing an upgrade.

Not into overclocking anymore, so it will just be run at stock with some nice cooling.

 

[Inazuma]

You must be really out of the loop. Most Core 2 Duos (even the 1.6 Ghz ones) can be easily OCed over 3Ghz with decent air.

 

[semi-pro waster]

If you just want to run it at stock then something like this fits the bill. If you want to buy another cooler then maybe an Arctic 7 Freezer Pro would be a good option at ~£15.

Gigabyte GA-P31-DS3L Intel P31 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £44.99
(£52.86) £44.99
(£52.86)
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail £144.99
(£170.36) £144.99
(£170.36)
G.Skill 4GB DDR2 PQ PC2-6400C5 (2x2GB) CAS5 Dual Channel Kit (F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ) £51.99
(£61.09) £51.99
(£61.09)
Sub Total : £241.97
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £8.25
VAT is being charged at 17.5% VAT : £43.79
Total : £294.01

 

[R.O.S.S.I]

You must be really out of the loop. Most Core 2 Duos (even the 1.6 Ghz ones) can be easily OCed over 3Ghz with decent air.

Not that much out of the loop, i know they clock well but i dont really wanna bother messing around with overclocking, used to be into it, but its just messing about, like my stuff to run nice and cool and quiet.

 

[R.O.S.S.I]

If you just want to run it at stock then something like this fits the bill. If you want to buy another cooler then maybe an Arctic 7 Freezer Pro would be a good option at ~£15.

Gigabyte GA-P31-DS3L Intel P31 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £44.99
(£52.86) £44.99
(£52.86)
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail £144.99
(£170.36) £144.99
(£170.36)
G.Skill 4GB DDR2 PQ PC2-6400C5 (2x2GB) CAS5 Dual Channel Kit (F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ) £51.99
(£61.09) £51.99
(£61.09)
Sub Total : £241.97
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £8.25
VAT is being charged at 17.5% VAT : £43.79
Total : £294.01

OK, can anyone go a step up on that spec? Didnt realise it was that cheap. What about Ram that runs lower than CAS5 and a mobo which is better than that? and the next best up intel quad core chip than that?

 

[spicypixel]

The difference between the Q6600 and Q6700 isn't much of a issue, motherboard wise step up to a P35 chipset based one, like on of the Gigabyte series. The difference in price over the 2.4ghz Q6600 doesnt fit your need for value for money. You could always get a passively cooled ATI 3850 for graphics if you wanna burn a bit more cash, looking at £100-£120ish mark for that.

 

[therealnerd2]

You've got to realise overclocking some of these chips isn't really overclocking.

If you're worried - shove your cpu up until it maxes out, then settle on half way between stock and the maxed point. You'll have absolutely no added stability or heat concerts and a much faster PC.