Upgrade advice

Gorsh · 19 Dec 2007 at 15:53

Hi folks, my first post in this forum. I would like some advice on my choice of components for a rebuild. Here is my present planned components to go with my Antec P180 case, Antec Truepower II 430w PSU and existing SATA and optical drives.

Q6600 CPU
Abit IP35 Pro
ATI HD3850 Pro
RAM?
Vista 64 Ultimate/XP SP2 Pro dual boot

I plan to overclock the cpu with the help of my Arctic Freezer 7 Pro cooler (or is there a better inexpensive alternative?). I have built several previous PC's but this will be my first overclock.

Firstly - is there any advantage (other than saving money) on getting a E6750 instead of the Q6600?

I am unsure what RAM to buy, 2x2GB PC6400 or 2x2GB PC8500, is there any real advantage in the much more expensive 8500? and which brand would you suggest - I keep seeing mention of Crucial and OCZ in the forum? My thought is to get 4 GB RAM rather than 2GB to help the Vista 64, or is 2GB plenty?

I would welcome other hardware suggestions - bearing in mind I am looking for value for money as well as performance. I play a few games and use CS3 and Lightroom quite a bit.

Many Thanks
Gordon.

Gorsh · 19 Dec 2007 at 19:38

Update on my thoughts:

I am now thinking the OcUK bundle http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-003-OK&groupid=701&catid=339&subcat=791 is a good way to go, then add the HD3850 Graphics Card.

Has anyone got any comments or other suggestions please, I would particularly appreciate views on the 6400 vs 8500RAM?

Gordon

melbourne720 · 19 Dec 2007 at 20:08

Welcome to the forums! - longer reply on the way

melbourne720 · 19 Dec 2007 at 20:12

RAM: Any 6400 RAM should do. Geil is on special at the moment, so get 2x 2x1GB kits and you should be set.

A quad core is literally double the chip the e6750 is. However it does get warm so I would suggest you get a Tuniq Tower to cool it.

Oh, and I would get a 8800 GT but that ATi card isn't bad either. Hope that helps. If you have any trouble with the P180 case build let me know, as I built my system in that case.

Gorsh · 19 Dec 2007 at 21:22

Thank you Melbourne720, the Q6600 it is then.

Does anyone know if the Tuniq Tower will fit the IP35 Pro and my Antec P180 case please, as it's reported to be very large?

One other thing has come to mind - is my Antec 430w PSU powerful enough?

Thanks again
Gordon

melbourne720 · 19 Dec 2007 at 21:30

The Tuniq does fit in the P180, here is it in mine:-

The Abit IP35 Pro does work with the TT.

I would go for a corsair 520W, to be on the safe side.