The best Overclocked system

wannabedamned · 10 Mar 2008 at 18:55

I'm trying to get together the best overclocking system money can buy, I've finally got together some money, And can go forward and purchase now. Which is great.

But I want to spend money on.

A Quad core
RAM
Motherboard
Graphics card

but I want the most overclockable CPU, For instance, I want a processor that will overclock far, With More cache, for maximum performance.

Then I want 4gb or 8gb of RAM, I know a lot of peoples general opinon is that 8gb is a waste, but I'm happy to buy it, IF i can buy it, Put it into a motherboard that will allow me to get a good overclock. I'm unsure if any motherboard/8gb RAM/Quadcore CPU combo allow good overclocks yet, Am I right?

Then I'd like to also purchase the best Graphics card, That has the best Overclocking potential, Is that still a case of buying the 8800 GT? I'm right in saying the memory bandwidth is wider than that of the GTS, Allowing the GT to surpass the GTS and almost equal GTX on occasion. This is still accurate? And has ATI not got any overclockers out there that equal this particular card yet?

Then there is the most important part, The motherboard, It need to be able to handle the 8gb RAM > CPU overclocking combination, If thats no doable, then the best 4gb RAM > CPU overclocking combination.

I want this system to be tight, and perfect. I do understand that components are the luck of the draw, And i could end up with a dodgy chip which will put a spanner in the works. BUT, Let's say for sake of argument, Fate is on my side. What's the best bits of kit to build the BEST bit of kit

Oh, And just to add this onto the end of the thread, I'll obviously need a rock solid PSU to run the lot. Hiper is out of the question, As after the last one i had died and destroyed my Graphics card, I hate them :mad:

After all this build up of building a power house of an overclocking system, I do have to let you enthusiasts down slightly and tell you it's all to be done on Air Cooling

Hard drives and the like I can spec myself, I could probably spec this myself, but you guys deal with the best overclockers day in day out i'm sure. And that's what i'm looking for.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

All advice given, I will go look at various benchmarks and what not, as I do like to be thorough when purchasing new components

With regards to a budget.

it's not really a set budget, If i need to save for another week or 2 in order to add to my current budget to get the best system, I'll do that.

Smirnoff · 10 Mar 2008 at 19:05

In before all the " My £700 system is just as good " comments

wannabedamned · 10 Mar 2008 at 19:06

haha, maybe I should have stated a budget then.

Sub £1000 for the 5 items

Smirnoff · 10 Mar 2008 at 19:09

Pfft

Smirnoff · 10 Mar 2008 at 19:19

Pfft

Something like this then

wannabedamned · 10 Mar 2008 at 21:24

Is that really a good spec then? Or just the most expensive stuff for £1000

because we all know, the most expensive isn't always the best.

Smirnoff · 10 Mar 2008 at 21:39

wannabedamned said:
Is that really a good spec then? Or just the most expensive stuff for £1000

because we all know, the most expensive isn't always the best.

I look at it in more terms of Brand, Warrenty and quality

HIS card may be a little cheaper but one year warranty pffft, Asus with a 3 year warrenty for its gfx cards and motherboards is much better value for money tbh

Corsair offer a lifetime warranty on there ram i've also used dominator and it clocks well, were as the cheaper geil and OCZ ram struggle to run at its default timings. Also Corsair make some of the best powersupplys going it will last you years unless your going for Tri/Quad SLI or Xfire.

Some times the more expencive stuff is the best

In the end buying high quality parts with long warranties is the best way to go imho.

closeratio · 10 Mar 2008 at 21:42

You'd probably get away with a 620W PSU unless you intend on using watercooling etc.
Whilst the RAM probably is pretty good for overclocking you could just get some 800Mhz stuff and pump that up, provided you get some RAM that's designed for overclocking
And while the X48 motherboard is all good and dandy, if you did want to save some money you could go for a P35-based one, but I suppose it depends on how much you want to spend/save

Smirnoff · 10 Mar 2008 at 21:48

I'm running an IP35 Pro atm and cannot praise it enought, excellent overlocked and stability. Will be a sad day when its swaped for a IP45 or P45 foxconn board.

wannabedamned · 11 Mar 2008 at 18:02

Thanks for that buddy, And I'm not disregarding it, But I've been doing some research of my own. And have come up with a few possible alternatives, And would like input please.

Motherboard - DFI LANParty DK P35 T2RS
CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.66GHz 12MB
RAM - 4Gb Gskill PC8000 1000mhz

Graphics and PSU are a seperate issue really, but what do you guys think? RAM wise, I'm unsure it's the best, Is the Corsair spec'd above better?

I do like the mobo and CPU

wannabedamned · 13 Mar 2008 at 13:06

Okay, After a little more research.

I find out, no one needs more than PC6400 memory, because it can handle a 6600 at 3.6ghz, So going for faster, Would just be wasted money.

The 6600 overclocks to 4ghz, If cooled adequately and if you get a good chip.

The Asus Maximus Formula Intel X38 is the Dogs danglies of Motherboards.

The Tuniq tower is one of the best air coolers for the Q6600, And i plan on partnering it with a Scythe S-FLEX 1600RPM Ultra Quiet.

I have done myself a spec, And just wondered what peoples thoughts are. The memory has been chosen because I've used G.skill in the past, and i thought they were great, If you can point out better memory, Please do. Also, Please correct anything I've said, If it's untrue.

BFG GeForce 8800 GT OC 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) -
(£146.86)

Asus Maximus Formula Intel X38 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (£152.74)

G.Skill 4GB DDR2 PK PC2-6400C4 (2x2GB) CAS4 Dual Channel Kit (£75.19)

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz - OEM (£148.04)

Tuniq Tower 120-LFB CPU Cooler (£35.24)
Scythe S-FLEX 1600RPM Ultra Quiet 120mm Fan - 3/4 Pin (£12.91)

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g) (£7.04)

Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM - (£64.61)

TOTAL. - £653.15

Schnippzle · 13 Mar 2008 at 13:14

Wont really be the best oc-able system anymore though

wannabedamned · 13 Mar 2008 at 13:16

Schnippzle said:
Wont really be the best oc-able system anymore though

hmm, Would that be down to the 6400 memory or the 6600, i was under the impression the 6600 was the most overclockable processor on the market, With most the others, Being limited.

If it's the memory, I'll swap it.

Just so you know, I've also been tempted to go the water cooling path now. The air cooling is temporary