Hey everyone,
I'm building a rig to do a lot of HDV editing, Photoshop, After Effects, etc.
I was looking into both DDR3 and DDR2.  Out of these two builds which one do you think will perform better and offer highest return on my investment?  
By the way, I'm planning on overclocking the Q6600 to around 3.0Ghz.  Do you think it will work with the following builds?
 
DDR3 Build:
 
ASUS MAXIMUS EXTREME LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $349.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813131235

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model HH80562PH0568M - OEM $199  (just purchased from Microcenter!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115018
 
Patriot 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC34G1333LLK - Retail $359.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6820220278
 
or
 
DDR2 Build:
ASUS P5E WS Professional LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813131236
 
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model HH80562PH0568M - OEM $199  (just purchased from Microcenter!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115018
 
G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK $144.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6820231166
 
 
DDR3 Parts: $908.99
DDR2 Parts: $533.98
 
Difference: $375
 
Thanks for your help and suggestions.

What's your video card going to be? That's an important component.
 
Go for the DDR2, by far. If you go for the 2x2gb of DDR2 800, that'll only cost you $80.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122
 
That board is listed at $270, and that's definitely not worth it. Be wise like I am and get off the ASUS teat, they're not worth the trouble.

I have an Asus Maximus Formula, 4GB(2x2) DDR2 and a Q6600, no reason to go for DDR3 Just yet so stick with DDR2 especially with the prices there going for at the moment.

I agree.  there's no real advantage of buying ddr3.  I'm more of a kingston guy 2x2 gb ddr2 800.  I also like the value ram b/c of the low memory voltage.  but hyperx is really good also.

The memory fabs went overboard when predicting the demand for RAM when Vista was released, and the slow adoption rate left the channel packed full of supply.
 
DDR3 is nutty expensive, I am guessing, to allow the fabs to clear out DDR2 inventory, so they keep prices high.
 
Also, was it me or was DDR2, for pretty decent latency, short-lived? Just seems like yesterday everything was all about DDR1.
 
I just don't see any performance benefit when 4GB can run you 500$ I mean, you can change platforms later on for that savings by going DDR2.

I say go DDR2 for defo, there is no question about that. However there is NO point what so ever going for 4GB of DDR2 ram. I say double it and get 8. It will only cost you $80 more.
 
But defo go with the Patriot DDR2 ram mentioned above. They are beasts.
 
Good Luck

yeah, actually scottoliver, you make me worried.... I am thinking of grabbing 8GB of DDR2 for my next build, and leaving it in a drawer. If the channel runs dry I'd have to donate a kidney to go 8GB DDR3.
 
Everywhere I look, amazing quality DDR2, almost for free.

So it looks like everyone is in on the DDR2 bandwagon???
 
Will I see a performace drop by going to the DDR2 800:  
G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122
 
I do like that I could get 8 gigs for the price of 4 gigs of my original choice of:
G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6820231166
 
Will I still be able to OC with this new RAM?
 

I OC'd my Opteron 165 from 1.8Ghz to 2.73Ghz using value-bin Crucial Rend RAM, 2Gb in Dual Channel. Without touching the voltage or the timings on the RAM. (I am not THAT experienced OC'ing).
 
This was with the stock cooler, I think the RAM you want would only be limited by your skill in OC'ing.
 
I don't know how much harder it would be to OC if you have all your memory slots full though...

Thats what I'm getting at.  What is the sweet spot for this system?
All I want is performance and I would like to give the Q6600 as much RAM as possible without slowing it down.
 

 
Overclocking your computer and its main use is high definition video editing is not a wise decision, unless you don't mind artifacts in your edited video.  
 
The X38MCH with DDR3 provides the widest and fastest bus transfer speed between the processor and memory.
 
The motherboard you chose seems too expensive by $60 to $80.  
I would skip the Q6600 and purchase a cpu with a 333MHz core clock (1333 FSB). Too bad you already purchased the Q6600. A processor with greater L2 cache will improve (decrease) the time it takes to process video.  
The 4GB Patriot DDR3 Kit (PDC34G1333LLK) is an excellent choice and the price is good too.
 

As for Mobo go with Asus Rampage Formula  
It has latest X48 chipset and DDR2 support and OC very well
Ram go DDR2 but be carefull with 8GB cause it is somehow not easy to OC when 4 memory dimms are full
Usually you can OC better with 2 dimms full

I think a 3.0Ghz OC is not asking much from this Q6600 and from what I've heard it's very stable.  I still want to OC this system and edit HDV.
I'm sticking with the Q6600 of course because I've already purchased it.
 

Smart choice with the Q6600.
Like others have said go the ddr2 route, you wont seee a REAL performance diff.  (unless you use like a memory benchmark) and yes with both builds you can overclock that q6600 to 3.0ghz easy.
 
And I have never heard of artifacts in HD video if you overclock a CPU
(Unless its unstable of course).  Just run prime 95 after the OC and make sure you stable.  3.0 is not much to ask from a q6600.