Few Queries..

[IainM]

Hey,

I'm about to build a new system since my current is showing it's age..

I'm looking at getting something that will be fairly "future-proof"..

I've read a lot of threads regarding the Q6600 vs E6*** and i've chosen to go quad.

I was looking into getting a gigabyte motherboard with the new P35 chipset.. The ones that grabbed my attentiion were the ones that were DDR2 and DDR3 compatible.. The GA-P35C-DS3R looked a good choice since it had four DDR2 slots and an additional two DDR3 slots so if i did choose to take the step to DDR3 i could..

As for the RAM i was a little confused.. The board supports PC2-8500 but i wondered if i would majorly benefit from having it.. I was looking at the OCZ PC2 8500 Reaper HPC Edition but obviously if i wouldn't majorly gain performance i would drop down to a lower spec..

If anyone can shed some light onto whether the current components above will work well together or whether i'll face any problems i'ld be greatfull..

Thanks,
Iain.

[Queelis]

If there's such thing as future-proofing in the IT world, it's quad.

I wouldn't take a combo motherboard, as it only has 2 DDR3 slots, so you won't have much space to fill, and the performance gains will be nigh. You can't use DDR2 and DDR3 at the same time.

The PC2-8500 RAM is only useful if you are planning to overclock, and not even necessary. The highest supported standard is PC2-6400 (800MHz), so the higher clocks will only be used when you overclock. But since Q6600 is on a 1066MHz FSB (266MHz quad-pumped), 800MHz ram will be quite enough.

[vinnyT]

By the time ddr3 is is both plentiful, affordable and, most importantly, worth it (atm ddr3 doesn't show signifant gain over ddr2), it will prob be time to upgrade again. DDR2 will be around for quite awhile yet).

There's nothing (that I know of) wrong with the Gigabyte mobo, just don't buy it just because they say it supports ddr3.

[IainM]

Oh right thanks,

THe other thing that i forgot to mention was the fact that the motherboard actually supported PC2-8500.. Which is the reason that i was looking into getting the PC2-8500.. The board says on the it that it supports DDR II 1066 so i presumed that i would be able to use PC2-8500 without having to overclock..

Any further help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks,
Iain

[TMD]

If the motherboard supports it then it will run at that speed which is fine...but if i were you i would buy some good Pc6400...the GeIL Ultra Low Latency DDR2 for example...and run it at the higher speed. Ive got mine sitting with a E6600 and its clocked to PC8500 speeds and its just fine at stock volts

[IainM]

Thanks,

I'm going for the Asus P5K Deluxe Motherboard, C2Q 6600 and a set of OCZ PC2-6400C4 Dual Channel Platinum Revision 2 XTC Series..

Thanks for your help,
Iain.

[TMD]

Thanks,

I'm going for the Asus P5K Deluxe Motherboard, C2Q 6600 and a set of OCZ PC2-6400C4 Dual Channel Platinum Revision 2 XTC Series..

Thanks for your help,
Iain.

good choice!

[Blitzen]

Thanks,

I'm going for the Asus P5K Deluxe Motherboard, C2Q 6600 and a set of OCZ PC2-6400C4 Dual Channel Platinum Revision 2 XTC Series..

Thanks for your help,
Iain.

Nice set up.. I bought that OCZ memory and i love it.
Unfortunately when i bought the first set of 2gb i paid £129 for it ... 5 weeks later i bought another set for £67

Microdirect are the cheapest around for that one atm.
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(16746)...R2-PC6400.aspx

[IainM]

Cheers,

Just ordered a set.