First let me say thanks to everyone for all the useful information I've found around here over the last year or so. Finally had to ask a question though, so here's my first post...

I want to build a new system around the E4300 chip on a budget of £1000. I already have an 8800GTX to put in it, and monitors etc. So this is my current shopping list:

MoBo: Gigabyte GA 965P-DS4
CPU: E4300
PSU: Silverstone 750W SSt-ST75ZF
RAM: 2GB Corsair PC2-6400 (800MHz) CL4-4-4-12 (with heat spreader)
Cooler: Noctua NH-U12F
Case: Coolermaster Centurion RC-532
HDD: 4 x Seagate 500GB (16 MB Cache 7200rpm) in raid-5
Fans: 2x120mm Sharkoon 1000 "golf ball"

I have this priced up at £1051 + Delivery but that's ok and by the time I buy it in a few weeks it should have dropped further anyway.

Any recommendations on any changes? The only thing that bothers me about it is that the motherboard doesn't support changing the frequency multipler, so I'm stuck at 9x.

Assuming I don't get a duff cpu this should go ok to 333MHz? Perhaps to 367MHz?

If it does go to 367 then the FSB is working at an effective 1470MHz. Are there any consequences for exceeding the 1066MHz norm that I should be aware of (other than wear on the parts)?

One of the sticky posts recommended 4-4-4-x rated memory for the E6300, does it hold for the E4300? I could save £25 by getting some 5-5-5-x rated OCZ memory instead if the impact would be negligable.

Thanks for any insight you can offer.

The CPU determines the multiplier adjustment. As far as I know the multiplier on the 4300 is not unlocked. You can adjust it down from 9x, but not above 9x. You didn't mention your MB specifically.

Generally PC6400 5-5-5-15 DIMMS have a lower default voltage than 4-4-4-12 DIMMS. If you are buying high end chips whether OCZ or other, you can generally achieve 4-4-4-12 timings with 5 CAS latency default RAM providing you have high quality chips. You can always bump up the voltage and get stable, tighter timings if need be in most cases. With the 4-4-4-12 DIMMS (at higher voltage defaults) the mfg. is guaranteeing the RAM will run that tight. Some MB (micros generally speaking) need the 1.8 voltage default (5 CAS) to run stable. HTH.