New Intel Setup

[SheZ]

Hey all,

Setting up a new Intel system after 4 years, hope you could provide some advice here.

Case/Cooling: I was going for the Kandalf LCS water cooled system, but I heard all these bad things about it in terms of the cooling quality, that I decided to forgoe it and go for either a Twelve Hundred or a Thermaltake Armor normal. I'll also move to Xigmatek HDT-S1283.

Processor: I'm a modest user, mostly HD movies, and I multi task alot, maybe like 8 apps going at one time, and many browsers. I've looked at the Quad and Duo-cores. One of course offers more threading (Q6600), the other a higher core overclock (E8400). These will be run off a P5Q-Pro board. And they will be attempted at overclocking. Q6600 is $30 more.

So my questions are:

1. what type of processor would you recommend between the two? I want my system to last for a while before having to upgrade again.
2. I also know the Q6600 runs hot, but what's the real difference against a E8400?
3. Will the Xigmatek do it's job to overclock either processor?
4. Was forgoing the entry level water cooling kit a good idea? Compared to an air cooler, difference put in is about $80.

Thanks,

Shezan

[SiM]

1) Q6600 will last a lot longer IMO. So go with that...
2) Differences... hmm, less cores, more cache per core, smaller production process.
3) That Xigmatech should get a very good overclock with both of those CPUs
4) Watercooling is a lot of hassle, for quite a small return. My opinion is, rather than watercooling spend the money on a faster processor

[Biscuit]

+1 Agree with sim

[SheZ]

1) Q6600 will last a lot longer IMO. So go with that...
2) Differences... hmm, less cores, more cache per core, smaller production process.
3) That Xigmatech should get a very good overclock with both of those CPUs
4) Watercooling is a lot of hassle, for quite a small return. My opinion is, rather than watercooling spend the money on a faster processor

Thanks for your points, I scrapped water cooling and going to opt for the Antec 1200 rather than the Thermaltake LCS systems

One last question though... I was originally deciding between E8400 vs. Q6600. I want a good overclock, and plan to hold onto system for 3 years or so. Right now as it stands, Q6600 is the leader overclocked against a E8400... but, now shops are selling latest G0 which runs 1.425 VID instead of the whole 1.325... I called NCIX and they say i'll get the newest, so high chances it's a latest G0... which is crippled alot... E8400 from what i know is still the same overclocker... Given that, is longevity still with the Q6600?

[PeterStoba]

1.425 vid is very high!

I'd go with an E8400, in 3 years i doubt much will have changed regarding 2-4 cores, and even if it has, i doubt it'd be much anyway.

go with an E0 chip!

[SheZ]

Here are my choices and in are in my cart:

Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Pro ATX
PSU: Seasonic M12 600W EPS12V 20/24PIN ATX Modular
Paste: Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound Paste
Cooling: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 Fan + Thermalright LGA775 BOLT-THRU Kit
Case: Antec Twelve Hundred
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core ($220) *OR* Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 ($190)
HD: Samsung Spinpoint F1 Series HD103UJ 1TB SATA2
Memory: Corsair XMS2 DHX TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX 4GB DDR2 2X2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 4-4-4-12 240PIN Memory Kit
Vid Card: EVGA 8800 GT - transfer component from other system

Everything is pretty concrete.. fits a nice budget and their quality parts... but now i'm torn between either E8400 and Q6600... the debate online is everywhere... but with recent changes with the VID so high for G0 has made the decision that much harder

I do occasional gaming... mostly watch HD movies, chat, music, audio edit, run many applications; system tray has about 8 items in the background, and about maybe 10+ windows open at one time from Outlook, Firefox, DIVX, word, photoshop, etc... Q6600 before I learned about the VID (which overclocking and Vcore upping causing temp problems) seemed the perfect choice for needs and not wanting to upgrade for a while... now i'm torn :|

[SiM]

Another solution. Get a E7200/E7300 then upgrade to quad in a year or two when games need them... For gaming there is pretty much nothing between E7200 and E8400 when overclocked

[staffsMike]

Another solution. Get a E7200/E7300 then upgrade to quad in a year or two when games need them... For gaming there is pretty much nothing between E7200 and E8400 when overclocked

I'd go one step further and get an E5200 pentium dual core

If you are going for a dual core at this point it might as well only set you back £50.

The E8400 has little benefits especially when the E5200 is overclocked, which it will up to 3.4Ghz with ease I shouldn't wonder.

So E5200 or Q6600 imo, I'd go with the dual if you are just gaming.

[Powderhound]

I'd get a Corsair rather than a Seasonic PSU;the Corsairs are made by Seasonic but tend to be slightly cheaper.