CPU, what to do?

[linktoinsanity]

Hi there, I'm planning on buying a new motherboard to give my main pc RAID support as well as improved support for my graphics card. I would like to get a new cpu if possible so that I can leave my current E8400 and motherboard intact and transfer the old motherboard to an even older computer and then get a quad core cpu and overclock it to at least 3Ghz.

However would this be a good idea? I have an E8400 which has served me well and is currently far from slow (at stock). The MSI P35 motherboard is the weak link, due to lack of RAID support and other problems such as slow windows (both XP and Vista) installations and bad overclcoking (which may also be the cooler). However for ease of upgrading I would like to get a new CPU (Q6600? another E8*00? Q9**0) aswell as memory (1066Mhz as opposed to current 800Mhz) so that I can just swap it into another system at a later date.

What would you recommend? Have I got some bad ideas, would it be cheaper and not too performance damaging to go for a different motherboard that is cheaper but only supports 800Mhz memory and not buy the 1066Mhz memory? The Geforce 8800GT is fine for me atm, but I'll probably upgrade it at a later date.

If it helps, current system:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 CPU (@ stock speed = 3Ghz)
4GB 800Mhz Corsair Memory
MSI P35 Motherboard
EVGA Nvidia Geforce 8800GT
2x 500GB Seagate 16mb cache Hard Disks (NOT in RAID)
1x 1TB Seagate 32mb cache HDD (much faster than 500GB Drives)
2x DVD Drives
RAID Controller (to add 1TB drive)

As I said, I might just get a DFI motherboard, new cpu cooler (instead of intel stock one) and maybe a new seagate 1TB hard drive or two, depends on what your advice is? The motherboard has got to be replaced, but the rest seems to be fine, but whilst replacing the board, may it be better to replace a few other things?

I'm sorry if the post doesn't read too well, I have trouble in putting my ideas in writing Any advice would be very much appreciated.

 

[mame]

If i had that system already built I would just make sure all the chipset drivers were installed and get windows all sorted out. Later on I would see what kind of overclock I could get.

I dont really think it would be worth the hassle of changing the motherboard personally. The CPU is fine also. Upgrading from 800mhz RAM to 1066mhz RAM is a tiny tiny upgrade and not really worth throwing money at.

You have a good system there, it jusst sounds like it needs a bit of time on it to set everything up.

 

[linktoinsanity]

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll follow it, but I may get a new heatsink and a couple of speedier hard drives (the 500GB ones seem slow now, since I got my 1TB drive)

When overclocking, what do you think of this hsf?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-017-AR

Thanks.

 

[mame]

You're quick to spend money ! yes it would be better than the intel HSF but since you already have the intel fan installed, why not wait untill you start overclocking to see if you need it. As far as standard HSFs go, the intel s775 ones to seem to be quite good (athlon xp anyone!) You might even find that you hit an FSB wall or just a CPU OC limit before temperatures are too much of an issue.

I would concentrate on getting all drivers installed and getting windows running perfect before you go swapping any components or overclocking. Windows XP runs fine on a single core athlon XP 1600+ with 512mb RAM so if it doesn't for you then something isn't right.

 

[linktoinsanity]

Thanks, sorry if I've not been clear, but my windows installations actually runs really well, what I meant in the first thread is that windows setup installation takes longer on my E8400 (it pauses between different sections), longer than my previous p4, with both vista and xp. I currently have xp pro sp3, chipset drivers, the lot running quite well (once it has finished installing). I'm just one of those people who gets bored and wants to upgrade and I have tried overclocking with this motherboard, but the system fails some of the math's tests (gives wrong answers) in Orthos so I was thinking it might be a heat problem? Or is it I am unlucky with my CPU? Also, I'm aiming for a quieter pc, hence the hsf change. (Also currently thinking of changing my video card, getting one with faster fps, but still got to weigh up all the pros and cons!). Thanks for your advice though.