Overclocking a quad core with 8GB ram, possible?

[Cern]

I am about to build a new Vista 64-bit quad core system with 8GB ram (4 x 2GB sticks) and have some questions about overclocking.

Firstly, please don't post to say I don't *need* 8GB ram. I do very heavy graphics work and often have several graphics apps multitasking and working with very large files, so I want 8GB so that all apps have some breathing space.

I realise I won't achieve extreme overclocking running with 4 sticks of ram. But I want to get an idea of what might be achievable and my aim would be a relatively mild overclock of around 3.2Ghz if possible.

Motherboard
Asus P5Q Pro: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-280-AS
Is this a good motherboard for this level of overclocking? I've always used Asus in the past and have found them very reliable, so definitely want an Asus board again.

CPU
I'm trying to decide between the Q6600, Q6700 and Q9450. Which of these processors is most likely to get me to around 3.2Ghz and be stable with 8GB ram?

RAM
I've checked the qualified vendors list for the P5Q Pro to make sure what memory works in 4 x 2GB configuration and I'm trying to decide between:

G-Skill CAS4 PC2-6400: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-021-GS
G-Skill CAS5 PC2-6400: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-019-GS
Corsair CAS5 PC2-8500: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-148-CS

Which of these would work best for the level of overclocking I'm wanting to do? Is the PC2-8500 memory overkill?

Case & Cooler
Antec P182: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-070-AN
Noctua NH12-P: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-002-NC
Are these going to be up to the job? I want to keep the noise down as much as possible so are these a good compromise between cooling and noise?

Any advice gratefully received. Thanks.

 

[Cob]

You should have no issues getting to and running any of the three quads at 3.2ghz with 8gb. But forget about the Q6700. It'll do nothing that the Q6600 can't.

The P5Q Pro would be a good choice.

Personally I would go for the CAS 4 PC2-6400 G.Skill. PC2-8500 would be overkill. Run either a Q6600 or Q9450 on the x8 multi 400x8.

Don't know if the cooler would fit in the case, but the cooler would certainly be fine for running a quad at 3.2ghz.

 

[mk17]

I have a Q6600 @ 3.6GHz with 8GB ram using 2 of these Corsair 2*2GB kits.

Its now in a 343B cube under water, but previously I had it in a P182 using the Noctua NH-U12F at 3.4GHz. The cooler fit nicely without any hassle.

I'm using an IP35 Pro - but the Asus board you mention should be excellent.

 

[wuyanxu]

same as mk17.

using Abit iP35 Pro, 8GB Corsair 800Mhz RAM, q6600 to 3.6Ghz stable using Thermalright Ultra 120 extreme, no problem at all.

don't even need to over voltage all 4 sticks. but the MCH do need a little higher-than-average voltage. not much, just a notch higher. (eg. most people use 1.37v, i use 1.41v)

 

[MadMatty]

As above, no real issues encountered. Just had to push the mch voltage up a notch. pushed up fsb voltage a notch too, but havent tested if this is required or not.

 

[Cern]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like the Q6600 with CAS4 DDR2-800 is the way to go.