Salvage or build?

I traded a Socket 939 processor for an Asus P45 mobo thinking it was a good deal. I still say it is but it was with the intention of later buying a LGA 775 processor. I have all the other parts including 2 sticks of DDR2 RAM although they're only 1GB each. I already have a P35 system which has a Q6600 cpu and 4GB of RAM. I repeat, I have most of the other parts: PSU, memory, HDD etc. The thing is, is it worth it to build the 2nd/extra system by just buying a used 775 cpu?

What should I do now?!?

I checked online for used ads, ebay and a couple of used/classifieds sections of forums but the prices seem high. There's some Q6600 processors for $100 and the odd E8400 comes up for about $120 - $140. But, it's that too much. Seems overvalued.

So, I looked at the newer Intel motherboards and processors and it looks like I could get a mobo for about $50 and an i5-650 processor for around $150. So, about $200 and just would need DDR3 RAM but that's probably another $80 or so? For $300, I'd have an upgrade but this hardware will soon be outdated, too, with Sandy Bridge coming up.

The other thing I thought I could do is get a slightly better cpu and look for Q9400 or Q9550 but that is about $200 to $280 depending on which cpu.

What do you recommend? Is there a cheaper alternative? I guess I could also just give up and sell the hardware (only two sticks of 1GB RAM isn't in demand and the Asus P5Q mobo probably won't fetch much, maybe $60?). I think I'd be lucky to get $100 for the bundle?

I probably should have sold everything and upgraded but I didn't have an extra computer at the time (that worked) so I kept the P35 system.

What ought I do now?

I know sandy bridge is coming out soon but you will waste money staying on the bleeding edge of hardware. The I5 seems like a decent deal to me..

if you're dealing with a few hundred dollars, but only what you need now and do a real upgrade/build when you have more money.

The i5 itself is $200, motherboard $100 and ram $60. I don't think you could sell those parts you have now for that much.

A bit low, actually.

You can get a low end one for $65.
Why would you go for the i5 650 though? that's a dual core. I'd personally rather have the Q6600.

"Note: USD equivalent shown below are approximates only and not necessarily the amount that will be charged on your credit card."

$210 for a 650? that's a rip. $210 is even more than the i5 760 can be found for.

It's a simple yes or no from your end. If you think a Q6600 system will not be powerful enough for you, you have no choice but to sell. If you do think it will be enough, then don't sell.

Definitely an option to consider though. Another point of selling, you could consider having a high asking price for the complete built system. Consider looking into both the idea of selling the complete system and the idea of selling off the components.

A. Good luck building a system for >$200
B. That is an option. I don't know where you get "fragile" from. The thing to note about laptops (no pun intended) is that to get equal performance to a desktop system, you need to pay 2-3 times the price.

I recommend leaving your current system as is and not wasting money right now.
As for the second system, you found a Q6600 for $100. That is a great deal. Get it and get it up and running so your money on the other components in the second system doesn't go to waste.

You haven't said anything about your computer uses that would indicate you have any need for a more powerful computer. So why build a new i5 computer?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK4ip08auGg

Current $100 quad vs Q6600:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/53?vs=122

-a lot of back and forth performance due to applications either benefitting from the high speed of the 635 or of the cache of the Q6600

Current $145 quad vs Q9400:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/76?vs=88


Now vs eachother:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/76?vs=53

I think both are worth it but I think the Q6600 is a bit more worth the money even though it is slower.