CPU Recommendation Please: C2D E6300 or E4300 ?

[Oilpatch]

I'm building new OC rig for Vista Pro and have being reading lots to learn but I'm still fuzzy on RAM vs CPU. so need your advice please.

I already have Vista Business, box, PATA DVD-RW, HD's and 128MB PCI Express X16 ATI Radeon X800 SE that I'm going to borrow from my 2 year old Dell until I can find a deal, I do not play games and am NOOB at OC.

I've ordered from www.ewiz.com:
1) Artic Cooling Freezer Pro 7
2) Four 1 GB Sticks of SuperTalent DDR2 667 CL5 SuperRigid with heat spreaders

I'm pretty well decided on GA-965P-DS3 for Motherboard as little extra price vs S3.

Q1 Should I buy the E4300 or E6300, I understand that both will work on MB, question is more around RAM?

Q2 As I have HSF on order should I get OEM or retail CPU?

Q3 The MB has 3 onboard USB 2 connectors for up to 6USB ports, other than two to front of box, what can I use the other 4 for?

Q4 Anything wrong missing for my new build?

Thanks in advance for advice.

 

[Oilpatch]

Bump, would like some advice please as want to order today, thanks.

 

[kyosuke]

Most people would probably say the E4300, especially if you're going to Overclock since it has a higher multiplier.

Relatively they're both the same processor, except the E6300 has a higher FSB (1066 v 800 on the E4300).

 

[gazukull]

I would do ahead and lean towards the e4300, especially considering your memory choice. Also, I think general consensus says that you will have a tougher time OCing with 4gb's. -G

EDIT: I would get 2GB of ddr2-800 and go that route...

 

[TurdBurglar]

I recommend 2x1gb sticks of DDR800 RAM as well for overclocking. It's essentiall the same price as 2x1gb of DDR667. 4gb is overkill for the majority of users anyway.

 

[Oilpatch]

Thanks guys, read a whole bunch of threads and I thought 667 was sufficient to get to 2997 on the E4300 so I've already ordered it, too late now to go to 800 RAM. So E4300 it is. Also, sadly I didn't know that problem with 4 GB & OC, my problem.

Any problem buying an OEM E4300 on say eWiz to save $12 as I ordered the Arctic Cooler?

Lastly, what are the extra USB connectors on the MB for (I have no idea)?

Thanks for your help.

 

[kitchenshark]

The extra USB ports are pin headers on the motherboard, usually located along the bottom edge or bottom right corner. The motherboard box may or may not include the cables necessary to plug into the headers. If it does include such cables, it'll attach to the mb and then attach to a backplane slot.

EDIT: Generally an OEM CPU is fine, I usually purchase OEM to save some $$$ and it's always worked out for me. BE WARNED though, OEM CPU's usually come with a vastly reduced warranty. 30days to 1year depending on the manufacturer and site. Retail CPUs usually have a 3 year manufacturer warranty.

 

[Oilpatch]

Thanks kitchenshark

OK, so USB headers are for expansion to extra USB sockets in a card slot at back, if supplied.