Please keep in mind this is mostly for graphics/video workstation and some gaming and will be air cooled...

Intel Xeon X3350 Yorkfield 2.66GHz 1333MHz
8 GB DDR3 1600MHz (7-7-7-18 G.skill)
ASUS P5E3 PREMIUM

Should I reasonably be able to get this above 3.0 GHz or higher and still be stable (best case senario)?

What if I use DDR3 1333? Any OC at all?

I am still trying to learn about the ratios..

Thanks!

Basicly ASUS allows you to run RAM in Linked/Unlinked mode (not so sure about performance penalties). In linked mode you can run 1600MHz FSB 1600MHz RAM (1:2 ratio Memory is dual channel DDR so basicly 4x 800MHz)
You could also run 1:1 but that would mean you underclock your memory alot (at half the rated frequency). Everything in between is also possible but timings might suffer or benefit from it.

400MHz FSB : 1333MHz RAM means you have to run at a ratio of FSB:RAM 3:5 (I'm not sure if your board supports that ratio, check the manual).

X3350 uses a multiplier of 8 (8x400MHz = 3.2GHz).
This should be attaind at close to stock voltage (VID) or maybe a few % bump. Stability should not be an issue but with overclocking you never know.

Just in case you haven't bought the hardware yet I recommend you go with DDR2 memory as it will save you alot of money. DDR3 offers no real benefit and costs an arm and a leg.

Agreed with the above. DDR2 are dirt cheap, and the performance is more than enough. Perhaps a 2x2GB set will be a good choice.

OCing is different for every chip, so you can't be guaranteed 3GHz. However, you can pretty much expect at least 3GHz.

Andrius

Thanks for the tip. I have not purchased yet. What configuration would your recommend if I drop to DDR2? I have a budget of 2k-3k USD for entire system.

My main requirements are:

1. 8gb RAM

2. Quad core running at 3.0Ghz or above stable on air (45nm preferred) without going to extreme version.

3. Asus mobo with all features

4. Needs to last. My employer will purchase, but I will not be able to upgrade for 2-3 years.

@pcbuilder
I'd stick close to what you were getting: prices are from newegg.com

CPU Xeon3350 or Q9450 (same specs) if you can get it cheaper.
(you could also get QX9650 stock 3.0GHz if you can fit it into your budget)

---
XIGMATEK S1283 COOLER ($40)
ASUS P5E ($225) or ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA ($300)
8GB (4x 2GB Corsair DHX C4 ($194)
2x 640GB WD6400AAKS ($220)
NEC AD-7203S ($30)
Corsair TX 750W PSU ($120)
Cooler Master RC-690 CASE ($100)
Totals to $1000 without CPU/VGA

$350 for E3350 or
$1029 for QX9650 - 3.0GHz stock (easy overclock to 4GHz).
+ ($250) a good 8800GTS Graphics card for upper limit estimate.
---
$2300 system.

Monitor keyboard and mouse for $700. Or whatever you can justify.

Good luck with your build.
EDIT : If you need links for the hardware let me now.

Andrius

I had actually put a config together at newegg that was really similar. Please review these parts and let me know what you think.
___________________

Antec P182 ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ($170)

ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA Motherboard ($300)

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Quad ($1030)
----OR----
Intel Xeon X3360 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Quad ($564)

Do you know if the Xeons are unlocked multiplier like the Extremes?

If I go with either CPU will the 1066 ram make a difference with one more than the other?

2 x CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 ($366)

-----Or I can get 2x 4GB G.skill 1066 for $280 (what do you think? both are 5-5-5-15)

EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB ($260)

ZALMAN ZM750-HP ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V 750W Modular ($190)

Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10000 RPM SATA ($140)

2 x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA 3.0Gb/s ($180)

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N ($34)

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit ($190)

ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler ($66)
-----do you know of better/quieter one available at newegg?

_________________________________

Is there any benefit for going with 1066 RAM? Will it help my OC?

Also, I already have a DAS keyboard, mouse, and 2 24" Samsung 244T LCDs at 1920x1200

I am also trying to keep every thing as quiet as I can as well...

Indeed this is a great build.

My comments:
Antec P182 ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ($170)
A very good, very quiet case, maybe a bit expensive.

ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA Motherboard ($300)
You could save $75 and take P5E (if you need to) the difference (in expected overclocks) is minimal.

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Quad ($1030)
If you can afford this there is no better option.
Overclocking becomes as easy as changing 1 BIOS setting (4GHz on air is quite easy).

----OR----
Intel Xeon X3360 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Quad ($564)
Do you know if the Xeons are unlocked multiplier like the Extremes?
These Xeon chips are not unlocked (8.5x is the maximum here). This is the equivalant of a Q9550.

If I go with either CPU will the 1066 ram make a difference with one more than the other?
Is there any benefit for going with 1066 RAM? Will it help my OC?
With a QX9650 you can pick cheaper 800MHz RAM.
If you want very high 4.0GHz+ overclocks on the Xeon this RAM might be worth it.
I'd rather have the QX9650 for this build.

2 x CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 ($366)
-----Or I can get 2x 4GB G.skill 1066 for $280 (what do you think? both are 5-5-5-15)
The difference in RAM performance is minimal to none.
Corsair DDR2 800MHz costs under $200 for 8GB, I'd stick with that.

EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB ($260)
A very good choice. You can pick a cheaper model/brand if you find one but it should be a 8800GTS.

ZALMAN ZM750-HP ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V 750W Modular ($190)
This is quite an expensive pick.
I'd stick with my Corsair TX 750W for $120 recommendation as it's $70 cheaper and offers top quality (unmatched value).

Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10000 RPM SATA ($140)
2 x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB SATA 3.0Gb/s ($180)
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N ($34)
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit ($190)
No real comment here. I'd go with 2xWD6400AAKS as they are a bit faster, but they cost $40 more.

ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler ($66)
-----do you know of better/quieter one available at newegg?
This cooler is way overpriced for the performance it offers.
XIGMATEK S1283 is the current king of the hill. If you want silent but excellent go for
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme + Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 120mm fan (a classic excellent cooler)

With the Antec P182 that won't be hard.
The Raptor drive might be a bit loud. Maybe 3x WD6400AAKS would be a better choice but I don't think you'll have to worry about that.
I think you're good to go with these selections.

Andrius, you rock man! Thanks for the propter review. I really appreciate your help.

Regarding the Corsair TX750, I see that it only has a single 12v rail - if I decide to go SLI will I need more than that?

Also, for the drives, I wanted to have a nice fast boot and a raid 1 mirror for the data. Are you saying go with 3 in a RAID 5 with 2 partitions? Or to just go with 2 mirrored drives total as RAID 1?

If I can afford the raptor is their any reason not to go with it? I would think the slight noise increase would be worth the performance.

I wish the new velociraptor would come out.. I would definitely get one of those.

I don't think you need to worry about PSU rails that much. The Corsair TX series got excellent reviews (EDIT: links : http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2 [...] su-750tx/1 http://www.hardocp.com/article.htm [...] RodXNpYXN0 ). SLI won't work on this board (it supports CrossFire for AMD/ATI cards) I also think it's better to buy one high performance card every 18-24 months instead of going SLI. But I don't game much so that's a bad area to get advice from me.

SLI boards in a pro-workstation are a big NO NO today. Data corruption issues are unresolved for now on NVIDIA 7x0i chipsets.

3 HardDiskDrives:
I meant use a WD6400AAKS instead of a Raptor for your boot drive and keep the other 2 in mirror RAID0. For RAID5 to offer performance advantages you need a hardware XOR engine. Onboard RAID5 is software based (IE the CPU does all the work). The WD6400AAKS will be alot quieter than a Raptor (don't get me wrong I have 2 Raptors and they rock for performance but they can get loud while seeking). If you are considering a Raptor drive you'll likely love it (I was never sorry I got them).

The velociraptor is just around the corner I think. Just tell you're employer to get one when it comes out (or you can get one yourself and have your game system on it.

If you are planing on getting RAM natively higher than DDR2 800 be aware that there will be compatibility issues. Many users reports and my personal testing has shown that there is a very good chance you will run in to issues with RAM higher than DDR2 800, such as DDR2 1066. I recommend you get quality DDR2 800 RAM and run them at 1:1 ratio or overclock the RAM. This issue dose not apply to DDR2 800 RAM that has been overclocked.

Recommended CPU is in bold. Along with answer about unlocked multi. Go with a Corsair TX750. Trust me that PSU will handle 8800GTX SLI.

Agreed.

I recommended DDR2 800MHz RAM and QX9650(it offers less value, but you get 4GHz at 400MHz FSB) for exactlly the same reasons.
For graphics work the system will benefit greatly from the higher clocks and RAM won't be an issue.

So, just to clarify, I can use the CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 (2 sets = 8gb) and should have no worries getting to 4Ghz on air with the QX9650?

Shadow, with the 2.5Ghz cpu, I will probably be limited to an stable oc of 3.2 or so, don't you think?

Also, what kind of compatibility issues? There are tons of comments on the G.skill memory page on Newegg where users are using the exact same thing.

The product page for the board notes DDR2 1200/1066/800 as the memory standard.... will I not be able to get a 1:1 ratio with 1066? - sorry, I am still not 100% understanding how the ratios work.

I want to learn and for it to be correct as this PC will need to last me for 2-3 years without any upgrades.

Andrius, I am thinking to wait for a couple weeks and see if the velociraptor hits. I have a raptor in my current pc and it rocks, so will likely stick with it.

Thanks guys for all your help. I am sure my questions seem noobish. I have slipped behind a bit and it has been a while since I built a new one. I am typing this on a P4 3.2Ghz running on a Asus P4C800E-deluxe!

My current work computer is a Pentium D 860 - man that thing is LOUD and way too HOT (runs at 165 all day long) . I cannot wait to get this other PC going.

ASUS motherboards allow you to run RAM unlinked to the FSB (not sure about other brands).

The RAMPAGE Formula runs FSB 400MHz at stock settings. In linked mode FSB:RAM are linked by a RATIO.
FSB:RAM = 400 : 400 (800MHz DDR, DUAL CHANNEL) means a RATIO of 1:2
FSB:RAM = 400 : 533 (1066MHz DDR, DUAL CHANNEL) means a RATIO of 3:8

With unlinked mode you just type in the values.
FSB = 400 (or 1600 if it's "quadpumped" ).
RAM = 400 (or 800 for DDR).

Corsair kits work with RAMPAGE no fuss (a friend has the dominator kits but he's running a Q9300 @ 466MHz). He went cheap on the processor but all out on the RAM.

So he is running dominator 800 or 1066?

I would prefer to not have 4 extra little fans with the dominator...

Agreed. The Gigabyte boards do not run in unlinked mode (may be except a few).

Will the FSB of the CPU matter? I think the QX is a 1600 and the Xeon is a 1333. What if I go for 1200mhz ram? Wouldn't that bring me up to 600Mhz RAM freq? Does it give any real world improvement to use a unlinked if it gives slightly higher speed or am I just spinning my wheels?

FSB:RAM = 400 : 400 (800MHz DDR, DUAL CHANNEL) means a RATIO of 1:2
Isn't this 1:1?