Okay guys I have noticed that there are a lot of people offering helpful hints and since it has been over four years since I built my last PC I could use some advice on the configuration. I believe that I have a good choice for all of the components but I have been caught up in the cpu debate and left scratching my head as to which one to go with.

Here are the components I have ordered...the cpu is all that remains. I know that the Powersupply may be overkill but I am contemplating going sli in the next couple of months and want a powersupply that won't be stressed too much and is quiet.



Video: EVGA E-GEFORCE 9800GTX SSC 770MHZ 512MB Video Card

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64BIT

Case: Antec P182 ATX Black Mid Tower Case

Additional fans: Noctua NF-P12-1300 120MM Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan
Scythe Kama Bay Black 120MM Fan Mount for 3X5.25IN Bay

HD: Western Digital SE16 500GB SATA2 7200RPM 16MB Cache 8.9MS NCQ Hard Drive

Ram: OCZ Reaper Hpc Edition PC2-8500 DDR2 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15

P/S: Coolermaster 1000W Real Power Pro Sli ready power supply

M/B: EVGA Nforce 750I SLI Ftw

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12P LGA775 AM2 Heatsink Heatpipe Cooler


Now all that remains is to decide on the cpu. Q6600 or Q6700 or Q9450.

I am spending a good chunk of change and am not really looking to upgrade the cpu anytime soon so I want to make a good choice.

My plan is to run stock to start and then experiment with overclocking but nothing too extreme that would require a ton of noisy fans or liquid cooling.

These are the lowest prices I have seen to date...keep in mind these are Canadian prices.

Q6600 - $218.88
Q6700 - $285.95
Q9450 - $338.58

From what I understand the Q6600 is a workhorse and is fairly easily overclocked. My question is this...which is the best bang for the buck? Do I spend the extra $120 and get the faster cpu or simply overclock the 6600?

I put it to you guys which cpu do you think I should get?

Thanks,

Derek

Take a look at the Q9300:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115043 its like $280.

It based on the New 45nm too.

This is actually a fairly easy question in my opinion. If you don't want to upgrade the CPU anytime soon, the Q9450 is for you. 12 MB cache, higher clock speed, 45 nm, what's not to like? The Q6600 and Q6700 are both 65 nm, and while decent products, are simply dated compared to the Q9450. Another option is the Q9300, clocked at 2.5 but with only 6 MB cache size. Costs less but is basically inferior to the Q9450. The Q9450 is a superior product, and the extra $120 will save you from upgrading later, while the Q6X00 series is practically outdated today.

I recently went with the Q6700 after the price drop being fairly sure that I could get good overclock with it; also due to the lower multiplier on the Q9450 you may need a higher fsb which may or may not be a problem depending on your target OC. With mine I gave the CPU a little extra juice and it runs 9X400 for 3.6GHz @55 degrees C @load. Figured next upgrade would be new chipset and new chip anyhow so I dismissed future proofing attempts.

Q9450 is the one I would go with.

Ditch your motherboard and get one with an Intel chipset and actually is not buggy out of the box.

You don't need a 1K PSU, vastly overkill. Look at the Corsair 550VX or PC&P 610W.

Yikes can you return the parts? You made some bad choices...

Quite personally, I find the Q6600 to be at a very favorable price point right now. I wouldn't say the Q6X00 series is dated... yet. It's like owning a 2900XT graphics card. It was great at the time (well, not great, but I needed a comparison) and is still good going into the next series of cards.

The Q9450 is a great chip, but I can't honestly justify the price difference. It'll overclock better than the Q6X00 series, hopefully, but is it really worth that $120?

I am running a Q6600 and it runs rather warm. The 12MB cache vs 8MB is a nice thing in some applications.

Both are great CPUs, just $120 buys you a newer cooler running CPU.

I would say to go for the Q9450, which is the same I am getting... as for the motherboard, I have heard a few rumors about the 750i FTW, which is pretty unfortunate for an EVGA, I would suggest the 780i which isn't all that much more expensive, but is superior in quality. The rest of your parts though; can't complain... I think it's a decent build for the money. And are you planning on purchasing a second 9800GTX?

I had the same plan, but then after calculating the cost i've figured it would be better to go for a 9800 GX2 but stick with a 600 Watt OCZ GameXstream Power supply..

EVGA 9800GTX: {$349}{x2 if you want performance equal to the 9800 GX2}
Toughpower 1000W: {$289}

VS.

EVGA 9800 GX2: {$579}
OCZ GameXstream 600W: {$105}

Those are canadian prices... as well.