New build need some advice

[Lifay]

hello,

I'm planning on building a new computer this year.
the I7's are not within my budget so i was thinking of building a core2duo or quad computer.

this is what i'm planning to buy:

Motherboard:
p5q pro

Graphic card:
MSI R4850 512mb with dual slot cooler

Memory:
4gb kingston ram

HD:
Samsung spinpoint f1 640 gb

Case:
Cooler-Master cm690

PSU:
Corsair ATX 650W (20⁄24P, 650 Watt)

dvd drive:
Samsung SHS223F⁄BEBE

the only thing i'm not sure about is the processor. It's between the E8400 and the q6600. i'll be using the computer mostly for gaming and other basis stuff and i probably will be overclocking. oh, and i'm not planning to upgrade the computer for some while.

so the question is if i should buy an E8400 or a Q6600.

thanks

 

[Proximon]

If you look at near the top of my guide you'll see a section on CPU choice. Link in my sig.

 

[serpent1202]

The E8400 can OC to 4 gigahertz and will run games considerably faster than the Q6600, today. If your looking for 3 years down the road who knows, Maybe the Q6600 will be better for multitasking, and maybe games will be better threaded to use all four cores, but its not the case today.

I'd go with the e8400. I had this decision also about a month ago. I said screw it and went with the Q9550 for $120 more and eliminated the question. OC'd to 3.77 24/7 use and I couldn't be happier.

 

[4745454b]

What resolution and what games are you playing? I'm tempted to tell you to drop down to the 7200 so you can get a 4870/GTX260. This will provide a nice bump in speed. OTOH if you aren't planning on upgrading in awhile, you should probably stick with the Q6600. Its a lot easier to upgrade the video card then the CPU. You should get the quad, overclock as needed.

 

[Lifay]

the resolution of my screen is 1280x1024, any comments on my other chosen parts?

 

[4745454b]

All good choices? The only thing that looks overkill to me is the 650W PSU. Not enough for high end CF, yet to much for single cards. If you can find a nice 500-550W PSU, you can save some $$$. I would also stick with the Q6600. You can overclock it to get the frequency you need, you can't do anything to the E8400 and get more cores.

EDIT: I would not get the Q8200. Lower frequency, smaller multiplier, less cache, etc compared to the Q6600. Unless you can get one of the faster 45nm quads, stay with the Q6600.

 

[Lifay]

it's not that i won't be upgrading in 3 years, but i won't upgrade for sure in the upcoming year of 1-2.

 

[jonpaul37]

8400!!!

 

[XSmax]

E8400 will work good with your set up. I have the P5k Pro with this CPU and it works great. OCs very well and stable.

 

[Lifay]

i chose the e8400, thank you all for the help