Asrock 4CoreDual-SATA2 thread I read the full thread and have questions.

[TungFree]

I read the Asrock 4CoreDual-SATA2 thread and am unclear about the Q6600 with it.
I do not play games nor over clock
Presently I have a Athlon 2 year old CPU and an asus Motherboard that does not let me use my ATI AGP card. I have a ATI AIW 9800 pro 128meg one AGP
The Q6600 quad enchants me and I will not yet spring for the new $1000 one
that is barely out. The Q6600 price drop makes me want to act on it.

Though I build my own computers I am a Teacher and time forbids me to be fully informed on what is the best to do with my money on a new system.

I use Photoshop lots of CD and DVD burning and a dozen windows open in IRC chats.

I posted another tread asking advice about motherboard and this oine was recommended.

What ram should I get for it? and how much? What size of power supply? I have some old power supplies about 350 watts in the closet, I have no Ram sticks.

As I read the ones here with Q6600 they all had problems setting things up and the advice was to set the Bios to default as it comes.

Will I have problems if I leave the Bios at default ?
I need Ram recommendations
Will my system run slower set to default as it comes on the board ( slower than the specs say on the Q6600?)

 

[o1die]

If you have to change memory anyway, I would go with a gigabyte GA-G33-MS2 board (about $114 shipped at newegg). Ebay your old agp card, and use the onboard pci-e video until you can afford another pci-e card. Gigabyte seems to be less picky about memory brands. Fry's has some ocz pc6400 1 gig sticks for only $20 after rebate, or you can check newegg or slickdeals for similar deals. Start with 2 gigs; it should be enough. Clubit has the "go" stepping q6600 (bare oem cpu) for around $272 shipped this weekend. Add an arctic freezer pro heatsink (around $12 with free shipping in the open box section at newegg), and you're all set. Until you get more money, you can try your old power supply. It might be enough with onboard video and speedstep, which slows the cpu speed for most applications to help it run cooler and use less energy. The go stepping q uses about 95 watts at idle, and less with speedstep enabled. You can leave the bios at default, unless you want to change the boot order. I use floppy>cd>hardrive. Save your money for a decent power supply. Don't go cheap. Minimum is a fortron fs 450w, about $50. If your old ps has only a 20 pin connector, you can order a 20 to 24 pin plug in connector for your old ps until you change it. They're about $5.

 

[TungFree]

interesting suggestion I will investigate what you suggested. I do not have any memory that is of any value.

Thank you