Spec me £1500 All in!

[*Chris]

Ordering the PC right after exam time, so I would like to finalise the spec.

I would like it to include watercooling, the best GFX card (GTX), a quad-core (if possible) and all the other necessary things for overclocking.

Things like monitors, keyboards, mice and mats are not necessary, but a case capable of sorting out the watercooling is.

My main worry (apart from the price ) is the watercooling part. Will i see much benefit when overclocking? Is it worth it? How much skill is required to set it up? How long with it be able to sufficiently cool upcoming equipment (eg: is it good enough for next-gen processors)? And will it be totally silent if all the appropriate equipment is obtained?

Thanks again for your time.

 

[*Chris]

Operating systems are also not needed, but I'm still wondering if i should future-proof for vista with 4GB ram ;<

 

[hiroofheroes]

E6600 (really not worth the price premium of quad core at this time - better saving the money and buying a yorkfield at a later date) Just get a dual core and clock it as high as possible.

Intel P35 based DDR2 motherboard (to ensure penryn/yorkfield compatability)

2 kits of 2x1gb geil ddr2 800 (can't beat that value for money)

Single 8800GTX (although there could be an argument for a x2900xt given its cheaper, will probably improve in performance on future driver updates and will allow for a crossfire upgrade route)

Case choice would be baste of personal taste, but when watercooling a removable motherboard tray comes in very handy for in-situ leaktesting.

PSU - no need to go overboard, any good brand with at least 600w and all the appropriate connectors will do.

Watercooling - go for a triple 120mm rad and a swiftech rad box and mount the radiator on the back of the case. A few quiet fans (personally I like undervolted panaflos and yate loons), paired with a laing DDC+, swiftech apogee (similar performance to storm on dual cores and better cooling for MCM should you go for a yorkfield later on) for cpu, any gpu only waterblock (don't go for a 'full' block, some ram sinks and undervolted 120mm fan cooling graphics card (may be mounted on case as in the case of lian li's etc. otherwise McGuyver a mount). T line or Res is a personal choice. Go for 7/16" tubing on 1/2" barbs and make sure you get good clamps. Use distilled water with additive (zerex is good).