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[redsmurf]

Here are the intended specs for my new system:

CPU: Q6600
RAM: 2 GB in Dual Channel
Motherboard: -
HD: 1 performance drive + 2 TB storage
Video: already have an 8800 GT

Goal: Looking for a build that is "the best bang for your buck" with maximum potential for overclocking. It will be used for a ton of heavy Photoshop plus casual 3D & rendering. Want to stay in 32 Bit XP at this time and will eventually transition to a 64 Bit.

Based on my goal & intended specs outlined above, I need the following recommendations:

1. CPU: what model of the Q6600 to look for? (ex- heard certain models have lower yields)
2. RAM: what is the best 2GB Kit available?
3. Motherboard: what is the best motherboard to use and overclock with the Q6600 & RAM?
4. HD performance: Solid state drives still out of my price range, but need something like a Raptor?
5. HD storage: what 2 TB configuration gives the best bang for your buck?


Please reply to any of the above questions, thank-you.

 

[rgeist554]

1. Find the Q6600 with G0 stepping. I'm pretty sure it OC's the best.
2. Anything in DDR2 800 or 1066 with tight timings - Ex. 4-4-4-12. (Geil, Crucial Ballistix, OCZ, etc.)
3. Gigabyte P35 series are great OCers, but so is ASUS (P5 series) and ABIT.
4. Not too sure here.
5. No comment.

 

[singingigo]

The Samsung Spinpoint F1s are the fastest 1TB drives on the market, challenging and even beating the WD Raptor. See http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/11/21/samsung_overtakes_with_a_bang/

With that kind of performance, you may not even need a third OS drive, although if you want to, a WD AAKS (smaller is fine) and just partition the first 20-30 GB...that will give comparable performance to a Raptor at a much lower cost. See http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/244583-32-35gb-partition-31ms-seek-75mb-read-write-heart

 

[Shadow703793]

Get a P35-DS3x

 

[zaaephod]

I've read several arguments about the B3 and G0 stepping on the Q6600. You might want to read up on it yourself, but it seems that the G0 cools better, allowing for higher overclocking. There has been a lot of testing on this, and other differences between the two. sorry I don't have a link.