Thoughts, comments on E6600 or Q6600 System

[Imp-erator]

Hi Folks,

I'm a college student considering buying a new stationary computer. For the last two years, I have only been using my laptop, which is very convenient but it has it limitations.

I will for most part use it for software programs that is needed regarding my education, example; Matlab, etc.
But with a new system, it would be nice to play a game or two now and then.

In the end, the cost is what will affect my decision most. One system is almost two hundred $ cheaper but one doesn't buy a new computer that often. With any recommendations, please try to keep the system price below 1800.

Considering two different systems; either Duo core or Quod Core

Common Components
1x NZXT HUSH Black SECC Steel/ Aluminum/ Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer $90
1x EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card $280
2x CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $248
1x Western Digital Caviar RE WD5000ABYS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s $135
1x SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor – Retail $350
1x LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM $32
1x ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - $35

E6600
1x MSI P6N SLI-FI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard $115
1x Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 $226

Approximated price = 1550 + Keyboard, etc

Q6600
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor $345.00
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard $130

Approximated price = 1690 + Keyboard, etc

Power Supply
Antec NeoHE 430 ATX12V 430W Power Supply $80
With either of these system I'm not sure if the power supply may be too week or not.

I have not included, Keyboard etc... price should be $75 +/- $20.
All prices here are taken from Newegg, which isn't the best choice every time.


If anyone has recommendation to either system, it will be greatly appreciated. I say it doesn't hurt to get a second opinion.

 

[Bigredmeanie]

Welcome to everyone's boat. Generally you will only notice a difference in the 2 processors if you do a lot of editing, either graphic or video. Or a lot of multitasking. Otherwise just get a dual core. The E6600 is a great chip.

and don't let any of the bleeding edge people here convince you otherwise.

 

[emp]

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1(DC 3000:1) - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001096&Tpk=SAMS UNG%2b226BW%2bBlack

EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082&Tpk=320- P2-N811-AR

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565

Western Digital Caviar RE WD5000ABYS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136143&Tpk=RE%2 bWD5000ABYS

LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106073

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134&Tpk=ARCT IC%2bCOOLING%2bFreezer%2b7%2bPro

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050&Tpk=Ga-P 35-ds3r

Antec NeoHE 500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply 100Vac to 240Vac +/- 10% UL, CUL, TUV, CE, FCC, CCC, CB, C-tick - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103940&Tpk=Ante c%2bNeoHE%2b500

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029&Tpk=E675 0

SENNHEISER HD201 3.5mm w/ Adapter to 1/4" (6.3 mm) Connector Circumaural Closed Back Headphone - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106455&Tpk=Senn heiser%2bHD201

Approximate before rebates & Shipping: $1457

You still need to add a keyboard and mouse, but this is a better list (just tweaked it a bit, you did an overall good job). I upgraded the PSU to an Antec NeoHE 500, because that's the one I use with my GTS and I know it works properly.

 

[dt]

if you have money get that q6600.

i would get it because i do a lot of video trans coding and video conversion. if there is a way for me to get a q6600 and a 8800gtx with all the other parts for 1500 dollars and still can oc my system i would do it.

 

[capthook]

sort of a side track, but...

did anyone else notice that yesterday newegg had the q6600 for $299 (as opposed to the anticipated $269 price tag) and today its up to $345? I was going to order it last night but got busy... What's the deal?

EDIT: WTF??! It just went up to $375?! Literally 1 minute after I posted this... am I going crazy/looking at the wrong thing?