Need advice please!

[JerryRG]

Hello everyone, great forum! I have learned a lot here.

This is my first home build, wondering if I could get some advice on these parts.
I have not overclocked in the past but have learned it is safely recommended with the right parts.
I want a game machine with the newer 45nm chipset, I have looked into the Q6600 and would be willing to go that route. I can wait for the E8400
I need to know about the 2 x 2gb ram appossed to 4 x 1gb because I have heard that the later overclocks easier?
I may add another video card later so I want a SLI motherboard.
Would I get basically the same performance with the Q6600 system?

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

GIGABYTE GA-EX38-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard
or
ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard
or
GIGABYTE GA-EX38-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard 45nm Ready SLI

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad (Crossfire Edition) EPS12V 750W Power Supply
or
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

CORSAIR 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Thanks
Jerry

 

[resonance451]

No reason to go 64-bit. Stick with 32. And 2x2gb is always better.

The Intel chipsets do not support SLI. If you want SLI, you have to get a mobo with an nForce chipset. For a Q6600, I recommend a 680i chipset, but be sure to very carefully research what boards you get, as there are a lot of duds out there.

Good choice on the HDD, and the case is a good standard case.

I would personally go for the Q6600, for a multitude of reasons, but you must be sure that you have the proper cooling if you want to OC it. Q6600s are commonly running for about $250 right now, and at some places you can even get them for $200. Much better deal than the e8400.

What is your budget? Pick one and stick to it.

For a mid-end system, a PSU like Corsair or Earthwatts with 550w will do you nicely, by the way. You don't need a 750w unless you're going for the SLI and a high-power processor.

 

[JerryRG]

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking the Q6600 was older and the new 45nm would be a better build for the near future.

Here is my Q6600 wish list:

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler

SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X 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 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor

CORSAIR 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick

EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Overclocked version at 670MHz

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

 

[JerryRG]

This would be a single GPU of course
Would another GPU be better for this setup?

Thanks again
Jerry