CPU Upgrade

[_lecro_]

Below is my current system !!

basically just looking for a CPU upgrade that will last a couple of years.
wont say money is no object but have got a bout 300 quid as xmas prezzie so that pretty much covers all current cpu's

Any ideas??

Manufacturer: lecro
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: Corsair 6GB DDR2 XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500C5
Hard Drive: 150 GB WD Raptor ,500 GB WD Caviar, 1TB Samsung F1 Spinpoint
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 5870
Monitor: SyncMaster 2433BW(Digital), Digimon 24" (Digital)
Sound Card: Speakers (ASUS Xonar D2X Audio Device)
Speakers/Headphones: Creative / Roccat Kave
Keyboard: Saitek Eclipse 3
Mouse: Razer Diamondback 3G
Mouse Surface: Errrr desk WTF else
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
Motherboard: XFX S775 nForce 680i SLI
Computer Case: CoolerMaster Stacker 830 Nvidea

 

[_lecro_]

This is cpu in its current state

And a shot from when i first got it and had it clocked to 3.2
I just followed a guide to get this , i have no actual knowledge of Oc'ing

Problem was i could never get it to run stable and had numerous crashes
also the NB fan used to go mad..
I had it suggested that the 680 was very good at Oc'ing so in the interest of reliability i returned it to normal.
Now after a recent gpu death i have a 5870 hence the cpu is a bottleneck at that speed
So im basically looking for tha fastest chip straight out of the box with potential to Oc if i also upgrade the Mobo at a later date.

Oh the cooler is a zalman 9700

 

[_lecro_]

I5 ? or I7 ? .. even I9
heard of 6 cores coming next year ..

I have read that I5 is better for gaming , which i do a fair bit of .
but i also need good performance from Photoshop and video encoding software

BTW ive already got dirt2 with my new gpu

 

[_lecro_]

Well ive been thinking about this all week
decided to go with the I7 theme..
Its gonna be a looker aswel as a cooker .
Found this mobo http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/motherboards/detail_overview.aspx?ID=en-us0000445
Only reason is its orange , which will be the theme of the new system.

Basically im gonna try to copy this system http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-003-OB
but just use parts that are orange yea i got a thing for orange ..
will be using a full W/C system most likely ,once i get upto speed with it

So cpu I7
ram .. MMM dunno something orange .. spose i could paint it but orange as default is better

This is the pic that made my mind up



looks sweet but i just want to change it to be black and orange..

Any thoughts

EDIT : old parts will go to my sons system

 

[_lecro_]

Crucial Ballistix RAM is yellowy orange.

Cheers bud ill take a look. one ones i'd seen were blue

Wait, is that a mini anvil inside the case!?

Yes it is lol.. btw thats not mine,its one i found on another forum.