I am looking at getting a new computer for 3D/video rendering. The two options I am considering are either a QX6700 with 4GB of g.skill 800mhz 4-4-4-(12?) ram or x2 xeon 5310s with 4GB Kingston 667 value ram. Either way to add to that I would get an 8800gts and a pair of 150gb raptors in raid0. From the prices I have found both these options would cost within $50 of each other.

I would like to overclock the CPU if possible taking that into consideration, which would give me the best performance?

I would like to get this system within the next 2 months, so if their is a new CPU just round the corner that will give me better performance I will wait for that.

Also any suggestions on which motherboard to get for either option would be appreciated.

Go with the quad... from what i've seen performance is always better when all the cores are on one die, plus you'd be getting better ram.... now I don't know which one overclocks better, but I'd assume the quad.

That depends, you see, a Core 2 Quad uses different RAM than the Xeons which would use a 5000X chipset (unless you wanted to go 5000P) and those need FB-DIMMs... which are GREAT for huge amounts of RAM. If you don't need massive amounts than just go with a Core 2 Quad. Also... if you're a gamer you'll find it a little bit better to game on the Quad because of the lower latency RAM.

Hope this helps, if you need anything else just let me or anyone else know.

Thanks for the replies, but maybe I didn’t explain too well, the xeon I am looking at is a quad core xeon, but it comes in at a lower clock speed (1.6ghz) but with two of them that takes it to 3.2ghz which is higher than the QX6700 which is 2.66 (but from what i have seen that can be overclocked to around 3.2ish) which is why I am having difficulty choosing, the lower latency ram would be nice but if the xeons are going to give me a significant increase in speed, like would having 8 cores be faster than 4 at the speed? If the xeons can be over clocked then they would have a higher combined speed. Id be fine going with that, I just cant find any clear compassions between the two.

Well, what programs are you using? If you're using something that can take advantage of ALL 8 cores then do it, you wont' regret it.

main CPU intensive programs I will be using are 3Ds max, Cinema 4D, Adobe Premiere and Photoshop (Photoshop is the one that need more RAM right?)

In that case, go for the xeons, you might even be able to run multiple programs with that config, but you'll need lots of RAM, LOTS I'd say you'd need at least 3gigs, (the xeons can handle up to 16 DIMM slots, on four channels.)

with the xeon im planning on getting 4GB of 667, the ram i have found is kingston 667 value ram 1GB (4 of em) is this good ram?

works out to be the same price as good unbuffered ram, i dont want to spend too much on ram

Well, I have that exact same RAM, so I'll tell you right now, it's great.

thanks for the quick replies, ill probably go the xeon route

one thing left of me to find is a good motherboard, possibly with over clocking support, a few things i need are GB lan, IEEE1394 and at least 6 sata ports (pref 8)

Well, as far as RAM goes, the Xeons give you way more headroom and plenty of expansion, but remember, the latency may be a bit of a problem if you get to all 16 DIMMs, unless you only have 8.

8 or 16 DIMM slots? PCIe graphics or dual PCIe?

8 dimms are fine, duel PCIe would be nice

How's this

http://www.iwill.net/product_2.asp?p_id=108

It's from a reliable company, but remember: NO SLI, you can use dual graphics, but you can't link them without hacked drivers.

Need any more suggestions? Feel free to let me know

that board looks fine, but I was originally looking at an asus board

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx? [...] odelmenu=2

Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems to have SLI
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