Current best bang for buck Quad-Core CPU? AMD or Intel?

[cheekster]

What is the supplied stock cooler like with an AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition? Relatively quiet? Would it need changing if later down the line I wanted to overclock the cpu to around 3.7GHz?

Any recommendations for quiet after market cpu coolers?

Thanks.

Cheekster.

[Pob255]

The stock Black Edition coolers are very good.

However as others have said, if you're currently using a q6600 you're really not going to get that much benefit out of a new quad core.

Depends on what you use your pc for but given your system specs
Get a decent p45 motherboard
Get another 2gb of DDR2 PC2-6800
aftermarket CPU cooler
Overclock that q6600 to around 3ghz

Maybe a new PSU as well for the increased load and stability for overclocking

Also get a new graphics card (depending on usage, if you play games that's what you need more than anything else)
And a new PSU to cope with increased GPU load.

EDIT: if that's one of thes dell backwards cases (motherboard on the left hand side, cpu at the front and psu at the top) then a new case would be required as well for any motherboard change.

[cheekster]

Not sure what makes you guys think I currently have a Q6600 (Core 2 Quad)? It's a E6600 (2.4GHz Core 2 Duo) that I have! Purchased from Dell around Sept 2006. Feel an upgrade is long over due. Planning on replacing all four of my existing desktops plus my Sony VAIO HTPC with my new "monster" system build.

Already purchased one of these Lian Li PC80B Armoursuit cases: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Lian-...m-Case-w-o-PSU

Plus three of these IcyDock (5 in 3): http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Icy-D...ap-Best-Seller

Three of these Adaptec 1430SA SATA cards: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127202

Have a ATi Radeon HD4670 Ultimate gfx card.

Main component after the new motherboard and cpu that I require advise on is a reliable quiet psu. Recommendations?

Plan to install Windows 7 Home which I have on pre-order.

Thanks.

Cheekster.

[Pob255]

lol sorry I missread
I've been working off what you've listed in your system tag thingy (what is that offically called?)









<=== E.G.

Personally I don't see any need to upgrade from a e6600 yet, personally I think just getting a good socket775 motherboard and overclocking that e6600 will last a good while longer.
Super cheap option would be to pick one up 2nd hand to see what you think, there may well be a load of 2nd hand 775 motherboards appearing when i5 comes out.