PC Upgrade - Advice Needed

[Little_Crow]

I've decided over the last few weeks that my PC is in need of an upgrade. I've been holding out for AMD's new offerings, but can wait no longer.
Processor, memory and motherboard are all up for eviction.

My Current Setup:
Antec P180 Case
AMD XP 4000+
ASUS A8NSLI-Premium
2Gb Memory
BFG 7800GTX
150Gb Raptor HDD
Hiper 580W Type R PSU (ooh I'm a ricer)

After scouring various review sites and forums I have a good idea of what I'm after, but I would really like peoples own experiences as reviews can only give so much.

I've pretty much settled on processor : a Q6600 low power edition. But i need help deciding on cooling, motherboard, and memory.

I'm an avid gamer but I'm not planning on much/if any overclocking, so OC performance is not as important to me as reliability.

To narrow things down further I do have some preferences:

Cooling:
As I've said overclocking is not all important, but I do recognise the need for good cooling and with it, hopefully less noise.
Air Only please

Motherboard:
I'd quite like some decent on board SATA RAID, as I may buy a 2nd raptor. Failing that, recommendations for a decent raid card would be awesome

Onboard sound: I'm having major trouble with Bioshock and my Current on board sound so decent on board sound would be great. However, I know that most will recommend a separate sound card so suggestions for that would be fine.

I don't intend to be getting dual graphics cards any time soon, so SLI or Crossfire support is not important, just a WIBNI.

Memory:
To be honset, though I work in IT and use computers most of my waking life, memory speeds and timings baffle the hell out of me, I guess that comes from working with corporate machines that don't normally get overclocked. I need to read a good guide on it when I get a minute.
I'm entirely at your mercy here, again I'm not planning on overclocking, good reliability is more important.
I'll probably keep with 2Gb for now, depending on price

Budget
I don't have a particular budget, I was seriously considering a QX6850 but explaining to a semi-gamer (the sims) gf that I've spent more on a thin slice of silicon than we do on rent, did not paint a rosy future for my genitalia.

However the money saved will likely go towards a wii, so that should distract her from my new toys.

I know I'm asking a lot, but thanks all in advance for your advice.

 

[mp260767]

hi ya,

have a look into:

6600 quad
Tuniq Tower 120 cpu cooler
6400 memory all pretty similar
abit ip35 or ip35-pro motherboard

 

[Little_Crow]

Thanks a bunch, I hadn't come across either that motherboard or cooler (It's a monster) in my scouring of the internet, but they both look absolutely perfect.

Any recommendations on a soundcard? I've found some reviews and most agree that the onboard sound is pretty so/so (as expected).

I've got a set of Logitech Z5500's, which are great (my neighbours may not agree), I know it's pretty subjective, but is the Auzentech Prelude worth all that cash over an Xtreme Gamer?

Cheers for your advice, hopefully the order will go in tonight for all these new goodies.

 

[mp260767]

being as u mentioned bioshock, i have one the xtreme music which does the job for me, but out of the 2 you mentioned i'd go for the prelude.

 

[Little_Crow]

Ok I've gone exactly on what you first posted, it covers everything I wanted so thanks very much.

I've also gone for the Auzentech prelude, after all that money saved I needed to feel a bit indulgent.

I've also added in some molex to motherboard fan adapters, thats the one thing that grated me on an otherwise awesome case.

My order has been placed and the happy little OcUK elves are winging my order to me.

thanks for your help.