Should I Build Q6600 System or Wait 4 NextGEN?

[k1ngkong]

I have been planning a Q6600 System for close to a month now ever since I heard pricing was to be slashed in half by late July.

But now with Intel/AMD NextGen processors on the horizon im kind of worried I might start off way behind the ball building on last Gens chassis.

My goal is to have a viable Gaming Rig that will last me 2 good years @ least & I don't plan on playing anything Above 1360x1024.
Cost vs. Performance is important to me.

Here is my build could you give me some honest advice?

Proc :Q6600
MB : 680i SLI MB w/ 2x 16xPCI-E
Memo :EPP/SLI 4-4-4-12 800mhz Ram
Graph : 8800GTS Fac. OC 320MB
HD : 250GB Maxtor Sata2
Case : New Case
Power :EDIT*ANTEC True Power Trio 650w

I'm not going to buy another 8800gts for 2x16x SLI until I deem one isnt good enough.

Total Cost w/ 1 8800GTS $817 (not including HD, and PS)

So should I build this when the Q6600 drops or could I get MUCH BETTER performance soon after for about the same money?

P.S. If its important I have now an Athlon 4000+ San Diego (2400mhz) Single Core 333Mhz ddr1 x800xt agp videocard.

 

[MooseMuffin]

Is that psu going to handle a gts and a quadcore? Other than that, I think you'll be ok for 2 years.

 

[k1ngkong]

not sure its the one i have now, if it doesnt I will replace it with an SLI beast so i wont have to do it later.

 

[Heyyou27]

I wouldn't trust that PSU with an 8800GTS and a Q6600.

 

[deusex]

I'm going with an OCZ GameXStream 600W for my Q6600/8800GTS...

 

[exarrkun]

i would be lying if i said no...
because i also will buy a q6600

 

[FallenSniper]

Yep, change the PSU and you will be set.

 

[k1ngkong]

Will my ram run at least close to optimal if I choose to use the EPP settings? The FSB is rated up to 1333mhz and the ram is 800mhz 4-4-4-12 timings. I heard I should have my ram running 1/1? not so sure what that means.

 

[MooseMuffin]

1/1 would mean your ram and fsb are running at 800mhz. Without dropping your multiplier, that puts you around 3.6ghz, which you definitely aren't going to reach on air cooling with a quad core. A 667 fsb/3.0 ghz is a reasonable air cooling goal if you buy a good heatsync/fan. If you don't plan to OC, 533 ram is fine, but with 800 ram being so cheap, you may as well buy it anyway and just run it slower.

 

[Hatman]

Computer tech gets "significant" improvements all the time its done cleverly so that youll just keep dishing out that money to keep up!

Seriously youll have to buy sometime and with the q6600 drop just around the corner theres no better time to do it.

 

[MooseMuffin]

I feel fairly confident in saying you will never need 2 psu's unless you're running a server with redundant power for failover purposes. And you aren't. The p190 is future proof in the sense that there will never be a future in which it makes sense.

(Starting the countdown until someone posts a link about 2 psu's being the future and making me look like a jackass)

 

[bydesign]

Too lazy to look up the amps but wattage wise you fine with 600W+. I run a with a 620W and GTX with 4 HD's and it's more than enough for Q6600 OC'd and stays under 80%.

 

[MooseMuffin]

You're recommending a $450 1200W case for someone who is currently spending $817 on his whole pc that will work fine with a 650w psu. I understand that you've managed to use 1,100W with your 22 harddrive, multi-box setup, but you can't possibly think that its an appropriate recommendation here.

 

[FallenSniper]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129154

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106

Either of those would be fine. The Q6600 now costs $500 @ newegg. So with the drop it should be $250 now.

 

[FallenSniper]

I doubt his needs will change enough to justify paying an additional 350-400 dollars on a case. But whatever, it's passed, nobody cares.

That's why this is a Forum.

 

[Hatman]

Better off buying a cheaper case and a seperate PSU to install in it, 1200wtt for those specs isnt nesesary and TBH I cant see any future enhancements even needing anywhere near that.

 

[k1ngkong]

yah i dont think i will need anything like that, I will have one hd, at most 2 opticals, 1 floppy, and those other things quoted.

My near future (2-3 Years) will be to add another 8800GTS & maybe a Bluray drive if I dont get a PS3.

Thanks all I feel much more confident that I have made the right choices.