OK - i'm gonna do the conroe thing - help me get divorced :)

[dangel]

...by spending my money

I've got some of that there Corsair DDR2 (4 gigs) on pre-order with ebuyer and so.. I guess i'd better get with the program and jump ship. Recommendations for a conroe newb? Here's my requirements:


Memory - sorted - Corsair 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-5300/5400 (667/675MHz)CL4 with Heat Spreader (2 of these - so 4 GIG in total)


CPU
---------------------
- i'm going to overclock, and on water too. What's my best bang for buck? Is 4mb cache preferable to 2?
--------------------------


Waterblock
-------------------------
- 10mm pushfits to go with my asetek gear - recommendations on a new wb for the cpu? I was probably going to go with a new antartica cpu block (asetek).
--------------------------


Motherboard:
---------------------------------
- tricky this one. I'm running RAID 0 on nVRAID right now so i _guess_ an nVidia chipset would make life easier - but i can transfer easily enough to a new RAID set as i've got a massive backup drive.

Am I best of with an intel chipset or a 680i (or whatever) job? Pros/Cons?
What's best for overclocking?
The RAM will probably do at least 800mhz, perhaps clear 1000mhz so?
Should I worry about quad core support?
I'll probably watercool the chipset (meh, why not?) too.

------------------------------------

My thanks as always for your valuable advice

[toolsong]

For mobo, probably one with the new P35 chipset

http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2989&p=8

[Sprite]

CPU - E6420/E6600
Mobo - Asus P5K or Asus P5B Deluxe or Gigabyte DS3
Waterblock - Swiftech Apogee GT ?

Dont bother W/Cing chipset, just adds flow restrictions and is pretty pointles, but if you must...

[dangel]

Ok, so the ASUS P5K Deluxe right?

[dangel]

CPU - E6420/E6600
Mobo - Asus P5K or Asus P5B Deluxe or Gigabyte DS3
Waterblock - Swiftech Apogee GT ?

Dont bother W/Cing chipset, just adds flow restrictions and is pretty pointles, but if you must...

I hear you, and fair enough on that one Apogee GT looks like has been discontinued - GTX is replacement? Can i stick 10mm push fit barbs on it?

Just reading up on the 6420 versus 6600 Lots of learning to do - which is part of the fun!

Edit: so literally just clock speed? Which is a better choice (multiplier wise) for OC?

[Sprite]

With the Apogee blocks they both have G1/4" thread I think, just remove the preinstalled barbs and change 'em for 10mm barbs or w/e

Coparison of GT and GTX here:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swapgtxexpeb.html

And you were right about the GT being discontinued (my bad ) but Specialtech still has stock of the GT and it's only £34.99, you can get free delivery with them aswell (google specialtech free delivery)

http://specialtech.co.uk/spshop/cust...ctid=3394#tabs

[dangel]

With the Apogee blocks they both have G1/4" thread I think, just remove the preinstalled barbs and change 'em for 10mm barbs or w/e

Figured as much - thanks for confirming

And you were right about the GT being discontinued (my bad ) but Specialtech still has stock of the GT and it's only £34.99, you can get free delivery with them aswell (google specialtech free delivery)

http://specialtech.co.uk/spshop/cust...ctid=3394#tabs

Yeah... about that - i'm on **** and have signed up with specialtech but can't seem to see how to get the free delivery - am I being stupid ?

How do you find your DS3? Stable?

[Sprite]

Well im having problems with my X1950XT on my DS3, so in summary, with ATI cards, no

I'd probably go with the P5B / P5K Deluxe. The problems could just be me but seeing as you have an X1900XT it'd probs be better not to risk it.

And for free delivery type in the four letter name of the site into the coupon code box at the basket review page.

[dave87]

Figured as much - thanks for confirming



Yeah... about that - i'm on **** and have signed up with specialtech but can't seem to see how to get the free delivery - am I being stupid ?

You have to use a voucher, I'll PM it to you

[dangel]

Yeah tried that (the code) and it says not valid - i'll contact them directly

Well i'll be going 8800GTX later this summer but if you're having issues i'd probably avoid it - i want a good solid stable board without too many bios bugs (stop laughing - it can happen)

I like ASUS boards but after hearing about the Commando..
Their support/web site is just.. horrible too. Generally solid board tho

[dangel]

You have to use a voucher, I'll PM it to you

Cheers matey

[Clunk]

You wont get very far overclocking with 667 memory mate, 3ghz before you start, and thats with a cpu that has a 9x multi.

Try and aim for at least PC2-6400 for overclocking. (Just noticed you say itll do 1000mhz, if youre sure, then forget this bit).

[dangel]

You wont get very far overclocking with 667 memory mate, 3ghz before you start, and thats with a cpu that has a 9x multi.

Try and aim for at least PC2-6400 for overclocking. (Just noticed you say itll do 1000mhz, if youre sure, then forget this bit).

3ghz before I start? I'd be pretty happy with 3ghz to be absolutely honest. I know these crucial sticks will do 800mhz easily but have heard of much more (hence my comment). Any comment on which cpu and multipliers therein? Thanks for the info

Edit: reading the OC guide "To give you a rough idea of what Ram to buy, PC2-6400 ram, will give you a theoretical CPU overclock of 3.6ghz on an E6600/E4300, 3.2ghz on an E6400 and 2.8ghz on an E6300, these figures represent the maximum CPU overclock without even overclocking the ram. More on the ins and outs of that later on."

I'm leaning toward the 6600 as it has a higher multi than the 6420..

BTW does buying your missus a new saucepan at lunchtime count as a 'i love you' gift?

[acrobat]

BTW does buying your missus a new saucepan at lunchtime count as a 'i love you' gift?

lol shaky ground. Its up there with a crate load of slimfast

[Clunk]

Well, its just that usually, when people say "I'm going to be overclocking" I always think they mean having a good crack at it, rather than just a mild overclock, thats all

What will you be doing on the PC mate? The 4mb cache is handy for some stuff like video encoding, but in general, you wont really miss it.

Theres always the E4400, which has a 10x multi, I'm not sure in the difference in price at the moment, but if they are similar, then the 6600 is the way to go.

Motherboard wise, I would recommend the new P5K deluxe wifi. It is nice and fast, well made, overclocks like a menalist, and so far has been pretty much problem free for me.

680i boards are problematic, and unless you really want SLI, then avoid them.

You might get away with the saucepan, but half a pig would be better, and a deep fat fryer.

[dangel]

lol shaky ground. Its up there with a crate load of slimfast

Now there's a good idea... maybe on the way home

Well, its just that usually, when people say "I'm going to be overclocking" I always think they mean having a good crack at it, rather than just a mild overclock, thats all

Ouch Go easy i'm on one of those low-clocking X2 systems lol

What will you be doing on the PC mate? The 4mb cache is handy for some stuff like video encoding, but in general, you wont really miss it.

I might do a bit of that but mostly gaming.

Theres always the E4400, which has a 10x multi, I'm not sure in the difference in price at the moment, but if they are similar, then the 6600 is the way to go.

Motherboard wise, I would recommend the new P5K deluxe wifi. It is nice and fast, well made, overclocks like a menalist, and so far has been pretty much problem free for me.

Ok, sounds good to me really - i got done with el-cheapo MBs many years back when I realised they er.. suck This the one - http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=591501 ?

680i boards are problematic, and unless you really want SLI, then avoid them.

OK - def. puts me off 680i then. Not that fused as I said i can re-raid with a new controller.

You might get away with the saucepan, but half a pig would be better, and a deep fat fryer.

You should probably cut down on the horror movies