It's upgrade time - check my spec?

[Credo]

Rig spec check - Socket 939 > Core 2 Quad

I've been out of touch with PC hardware since I built the rig in sig a few years ago, it's now time to upgrade and get Vista!

Anyway - my first stab follows:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.66GHz 12MB-cache (1333FSB) Processor - OEM £229.11
Motherboard: Asus P5Q Deluxe Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £140.99
Memory Corsair: 4GB DDR2 XMS2 PC2-6400C5 TwinX (2x2GB) £70.49
Cooling: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775) £17.61
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (66I-01939) £69.31

Total: £527.51 + P&P

I plan to keep this rig for a couple of years, usage is gaming / photo / video editing. I'll update the 6800GT in a month or two, probably to an 8800GT.

Now the inevitable questions:

- Would a Q6600 be a more cost effective chip? I'm happy to OC as far as reasonable on air cooling. The Q9450 does look good, and has 12Mb of cache...
- Is it worth hanging on for more P45 board reviews or are these boards going to be pretty stable as they are incremental updates of P35?
- Is the Deluxe worth the extra?
- Is anything better than the Asus? I do like Asus...
- Please advise on memory - I'm currently reading up on how these Core 2 platforms work with DDR2...
- It's high time for Vista I think - would 8Gb be better for Vista, and will the mobo struggle to OC as well with 8Gb?
- I'm assuming my 600W Enermax is up to the job / will fit all necessary mobo connectors?

Budget is *around* £500.00...

Thanks very much for looking, your opinions are very much appreciated...

 

[Credo]

RE. my post above - would a DDR3 motherboard be a better investment?

 

[Glaucus]

ddr3 isn't worth it at the moment. By the time it is there will be new cpus out.

if your going dulux consider getting the wifi version for an extra £18 keeps things nice and tidy.

I take it you have a valid xp license have a shop around for vista upgrade instead. As far as I understand you don't need xp on the machine, you just have to type in the serial code. All the bonus of retail, with a price tag of £68 + a couple of quid for postage..

bang for buck the 6600 is better when overclocked and would give you lee way to get some extra parts if needed, or upgrade in other areas.

 

[Credo]

ddr3 isn't worth it at the moment. By the time it is there will be new cpus out.

if your going dulux consider getting the wifi version for an extra £18 keeps things nice and tidy.

I take it you have a valid xp license have a shop around for vista upgrade instead. As far as I understand you don't need xp on the machine, you just have to type in the serial code. All the bonus of retail, with a price tag of £68 + a couple of quid for postage..

bang for buck the 6600 is better when overclocked and would give you lee way to get some extra parts if needed, or upgrade in other areas.

Thanks for your reply. I'm glad you say DDR3 isn't worth it, because that's what I figured - the build after this will undoubtedly be Nehalem based in 2 years or so, and that's a new mobo and CPU anyway...

I'll need a full version of Vista, not an upgrade, the OEM version of Vista 64 Home Premium seems good value.

I guess this is more for the CPU forum, but when comparing the Q6600 and the Q9450, is there a world of difference, especially when overclocked to 3Ghz? Would the Q9450 clock higher?

Thanks again for your comments...