The Q6600 is indeed an aging part, but still a great processor for current gaming needs. Keep in mind, NewEgg.com shows the Q6600 is out of stock. ;) They also show your PSU & Optical drive are out of stock as well. :(

For $219, you could very likely get something better than the Q6600 these days anyhow.

However, if you did purchase a Q6600 and a P45 board, you should get at least a 3.2Ghz OC. The cooler you've listed is kind of spendy in my opinion. I'd suggest the Xigmatek unit in my signature. It's close to half as much, and is one of the best rated air coolers out there. Does very well on the Quad Core chips with the 775 socket.

I'd suggest either looking at the newer Intel Quad Core chips available, consider the Intel i7 920 (more expensive CPU, Mobo, & RAM), or consider the newest AMD Phenom II (don't get original Phenom) chips.
 

techwizard08

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Clearly you don't know what you're talking about...it's low-medium end :p
 

DeadlyD

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For high end to me it isnt what most people think im not like "00MGGOORZ 100 FPS IN CRYSIS IM TEH SHIII" I mean atleast 25+ fps in most games, and thats high end to me.
 

raybob95

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A Q6600 is medium-high end. Go look on dell. You have to spend well over $2k to get an i7. Most of the people I know who buy from Dell buy PC's for $1000 with Core 2 Duos, NVIDIA 9800GTs, and a 500GB HDD. That is considered low-medium. Core i7 is Very high end. Although soon, it'll become mainstream.
 

ohiou_grad_06

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Why not consider a phenom 2 build?

Some of the other guys can give more insight, but how about this gigabyte am3 board fo 80 bucks?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

Maybe a phenom 2 x810 for a budget quad

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103650

If you want to spend more, maybe an x945 for 225

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103675

Or they've got the 955 BE for 245.

Which if that gigabyte board I showed works with the 955, that might be your ticket, bc you'd save 40 on the board, spend 20 of that on the better chip, then the other 20 could go toward the ddr3 memory since it's a little more than ddr2. But on the whole, I'm guessing with a setup like that, and using the same video card you are listing, I bet that system would scream.
 

techwizard08

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You know for $2000 alienware will send you an original gameboy and a t-shirt that says "I'm a slave to brands and will fork over all my money for a label"

You realize just a few years ago Polo and Lacoste were ~30$ a shirt. Now it's $90. I'm sure its the stitch quality improving ;)
 

techwizard08

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Proximon pointed out to me the other day that newegg has a very good bundle going for the phenom 2.8 ghz going. I'll try to dig up the link somewhere around here...