PC Build advice please

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Hi guys,

I've had my PC for getting on 4 years now and have saved some cash for an upgrade. I'm looking for it to last a similar amount of time, but who knows. Can you comment on the selection below please and tell me if it seems sensible. Gone for the Quad over the new E6850 because I was planning to clock it to about 3GHz so comments on cooling appreciated.

thanks in advance.

*I already have a PSU and soudcard to go in the PC
*I picked the Leadtek ultra because it was no more expensive than some of the GTX OC cards.


BFG nForce 680i SLi (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "LGA775 Kentsfield" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme (Socket AM2/LGA775) Heatsink
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit Edition DVD - OEM - 1Pk (66R-00838)
Antec P180 Advanced Super Midi Tower Case - No PSU (Black)
Leadtek GeForce 8800 Ultra 768MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
Western Digital Raptor 150GB WD1500ADFD 10,000RPM SATA 16MB Cache - OEM
GeIL 4GB (4x1GB) PC8500C5 1066MHz Black Dragon DDR2 Dual Channel Kit
 
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As has been said many times before, do you actually use any software that is optimised for quad-core processors? If not, you may be better off with the E6850.

Everything else looks pretty good, apart from the motherboard would need to be changed if you did go for the E6850.
 
Don
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Benjarghmin said:
As has been said many times before, do you actually use any software that is optimised for quad-core processors? If not, you may be better off with the E6850.

Everything else looks pretty good, apart from the motherboard would need to be changed if you did go for the E6850.

Supreme Commander for one....

Other then that I think that you should fold for team 10 :)

Stelly
 
Soldato
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Chris C said:
BFG nForce 680i SLi (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit Edition DVD - OEM - 1Pk (66R-00838)
Leadtek GeForce 8800 Ultra 768MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
Western Digital Raptor 150GB WD1500ADFD 10,000RPM SATA 16MB Cache - OEM
GeIL 4GB (4x1GB) PC8500C5 1066MHz Black Dragon DDR2 Dual Channel Kit

Would drop the 680i motherboard, the P35 chipset m/b is where it is at unless you really need SLI.

Vista Ultimate not needed unless you need features from the Business version, Home Premium will be plenty.

Ultra FYI a waste of cash only gains a few FPS over the GTX, just get a GTX.

Raptor again not worth it, get a 7200rpm drive much better in the long run.

As for RAM might be worth getting a 4GB (2 X 2GB) Kit.
 
Soldato
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If you want it to last that long, you should get a P35 board, (P5k, DS3 etc). or the upcoming X38 promises even more longevity. That way you can upgrade whatever processor you get now, for a Penryn later.

You could save more by getting an E6600 now and upgrade to Penryn chip later.
 
Don
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Rezident said:
If you want it to last that long, you should get a P35 board, (P5k, DS3 etc). or the upcoming X38 promises even more longevity. That way you can upgrade whatever processor you get now, for a Penryn later.

You could save more by getting an E6600 now and upgrade to Penryn chip later.

You can use a 680 with penryn :p

Stelly
 
Associate
OP
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PSU is a Seasonic 700W

That ultra isnt much more than most standard GTXs was my thinking, on OCUK anyway.

RE using software for quadcores : Atm no, but i thought it was more future proof to go with that as games like crysis will be using more cores and I do like to do other things while im playing games as I use more monitors.

But thanks for the advice thus far, I will take another look when I get some time later and put a revised list up.
 
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I would go for the quad core and clock it to 3ghz as hes wanting it to last for 4 years, there may be some things in next couple a years that will use it.
 
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Ok I've had a read and changed some bits as advised, I'm gonna wait until after the 22nd to order so hopefully the CPU will come down a little.

My main concerns are

Case size - will it all fit in, I know the 8800s are big
Cooling - I want to clock the CPU, is the cooler Ive picked good enough for the job
RAM - Is this a good choice ? i want 4Gb is this the best kit to go for off OCUK (I like the customer service so prolly order all from there)

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "LGA775 Kentsfield" 2.40GHz (1066FSB)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 5000AAKS SATA-II 16MB Cache
Gigabyte GA_P35_DS4 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme (Socket AM2/LGA775) Heatsink
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Edition DVD - OEM - 1Pk
Antec P180 Advanced Super Midi Tower Case - No PSU (Black)
Leadtek GeForce 8800 Ultra 768MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express)
GeIL 4GB (4x1GB) PC8500C5 1066MHz Black Dragon DDR2 Dual Channel Kit
 
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