Spec a box for around £500

[Xandos]

Hi guys, looking to build a new machine, to use for CAD and realtime 3D....

i7 is out, the q6600 seems the best choice for processor... I don't really have a clue which motherboards and memory is worth getting. Also, is it worth getting a high RPM hard drive or does that only make sense in my head? I need the graphics card to have some power, and be nVidia of course, does that mean the 8800 series?

To keep costs down I'd consider keeping my current case - the antec p180, would that be able to fit/cool this new system? Also, I have an oldish but relatively unused 500W PSU, but it's probably worth putting some money into a more stable/quiet one?

Thanks for the pointers.

Overcocking would be nice, but probably not to a ridiculous degree.

 

[EvilOne]

Antec 300
P45 motherboard (P43 if you dont want the raid controller).
2x2GB 6400 DDR2 (most kits will be good to overclock upto 3.6 on Q6600)
Q6600, Get a 3rd party cooler, stock wont overclock well for a quad.
640GB F1 hardrive, cheap quick and decent storage.
Check graphics card section for better info on which card to get, i dont know how much power you need for CAD.

Q6600 is very easy to overclock, just keep an eye on the temps.
The 500W powersupply should work well, unless you get some crazy power hungry graphics card.