vanbuskirks

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Dec 3, 2008
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I am planning on doing a serious upgrade to my current 'rig'. Here's what I am planning and I have a couple different options I'm looking at. For a bit of background, I've never overclocked before... Here is the setup I'm thinking of upgrading to:

Case: Cooler Master (Not sure of model, but it's big and has 3 120 mm fans)

PSU: 600W Modular w/ 120 mm fan

MoBo: ASRock P43Twins1600 LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard (Rated for 1600/1333 cpu FSB, DDR3
1333 Memory Standard)

CPU: EITHER q6600 (Thinking of over clocking to 3.6 gHz , 1600 FSB) or q8200 (OC to 2.65 , 1600 FSB)

RAM: DDR3 1333mHz (Thinking of OC to 1600 to match FSB) or just get DDR3 1600

GPU: Either my old XFX 8600gt or a new BGF 9800 gtx (needs two 6-pin connectors, min psu = 490)

HD: 500 GB seagate
CPU HSU: ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink (Going to use ARtic Silver compound((Heard it's the best))

Any advice on which CPU or ram to go with for a novice OCer? Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated. I primarily game, but also run photoshop, make movies, and run some mildly intensive 3d graphics programs.

As of now, the only piece of hardware from the above list that I own is the PSU and the old 8600gt GPU. I can get all the other stuff on new egg for about ~$600. (The q8200 and q6600 are EXACTLY the same price)

Thanks everyone!
 

vanbuskirks

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Dec 3, 2008
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18,530
q6600, got it! But, should I get 1600 mhz DDR3 ram or get 1333mhz ram and try to over clock it? The mobo says that DDR3 1333 is standard...can I go higher than that? Or should I just buy DDR3 1600