ok so I'm looking to build a gaming computer for high end games like crysis and such. And I know the basics. All I have decided on is an evga 780i mobo

ok I've narrowed it down to the Q9300 and the Q6700 I've heard good and bad things about both which should I get

Well it depends on whether or not you're really planning to overclock, and if so, how much. The Q9300's 7.5X multi might be harder to hit high overclocks than the Q6700's 10X multi.

However, it it were me and that was my choice I'd pick a E8400. Oh wait, that's not one of the choices. Just kidding. You could go with the newer tech of the Q9300, 45nm (spelled cooler), and you can still take it past 3Ghz. If you're considering the Q6700 you may want to take a serious look at the Q6600 as it is better price/performance and you can still overclock the sh** out if it, quite easily. The Q9300's 7.5X multi is not an overclocker's dream.

My .02

well how far can you take the 9300 while keeping it stable? Cuz Id like to keep that FSB speed

That's a question I can't truly answer, since I don't have a Q9300 but I'd think with a good mobo (say an X38/48) that can do a 1600+FSB you should be able to get to at least 3Ghz-3.15Ghz and possibly a quite a bit beyond.

Well its a battle between feb and OCability. What can the 6600 go to with the x38?

Well, we know the X38's will do 1600FSB...and the Q6600's multi is 8 so you're looking at 3.2Ghz without even straining the mobo. ...but you're gonna want some really good air cooling. Get a Xigmatek S1283 or TRUE with a good fan and have some fun. I've heard of people easily taking their Q6600's to 3.6Ghz. That's a bit high for my tastes but as long as you're not stressing your mobo, ram, and you're keeping the Q cool....

So I guess ill go with the 6600 but do you know how it will work with 780i?

So I guess ill go with the 6600 but do you know how it will work with 780i?

Q6600 runs at 3.6ghz on 1600mhz fsb. 780i runs at 1333mhz natively, and should oc reliably up to 1600mhz. But consider buying chipset cooler because 1600mhz is high oc for 780i and it will run hot. x38 runs at 1600mhz natively, and is guaranteed to oc q6600 to 3.6ghz, without even overclocking the motherboard.

so I should get an x38 instead then

It's up to you. 780i should let you go to 3.6ghz, it's fine if you don't plan to overclock further. You may need to spend some time trying different chipset voltages for it to run stable. You may also need to install chipset cooler, as it runs hot. The advantage is it supports sli.

X38 will let you up to 3.6ghz much more easily, since you're only overclocking the cpu, and the motherboard is running stock. It's easier for noobs to overclock. It supports crossfire and use PCIE2.0.

I'd really recommend an X48 over an X38. ...basically the X48 "officially" supports the 1600 FSB and its not much more expensive. You may get better overclocks out of an X48 when compared to an X38 (which is still a beast). I'd avoid a 780i unless you just have to have SLi. Why? Well, a 780i is basically a 680i with PCI.E 2.0 eh? Not that the 680i were bad, I have a Asus Striker Extreme sitting in the closet and it served my old E6850 well. ...but it aint no Rampage Formula.

well thanks for the help I'll definately look into the x48

X48 cost much more, and benchmarks show almost identical fsb ceiling and temperatures. Nearly all x38 boards officially support 1600mhz fsb.

Basically, you get almost no performance increase over x38. But since x48 prices have fallen so far, it's now a viable choice. It was $350+ just a month ago.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128336

In some cases, but in the case of the Asus Maximus Formula vs. the Rampage Formula the difference is relatively negligible ...like $20.