Questions concerning new systems using ASUS P5Q-Deluxe & P5Q-VM motherboards.

[FridayXIII]

For my main computer build I would like input on the components I am planning on using. I will be using a Intel Q9559 Core 2 Quad processor, a ASUS P5Q Deluxe Motherboard with either 8 Gigs total (4 x 2GB) running at 1066Corsair Dominator or Mushkin XP Ascent memory. The cooler I plan on using is either the Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer or Xigmatek HDT-S1283 coolers. There are a few question I have concerning these components. Will I run into clearance issues with the CPU Cooler using either of the memory. The QVL memory listing for this board lists the Corsair Dominator as being compatible running on both Channel A & B slots and the Mushkin Ascent being compatible running only on Channel A. Looking through the postings on the Mushkin forums it seems the Ascent 996616 memory is supported on both Channels A & B even with its larger heatspreaders. Has anyone had any experience with running 4 sticks of either memory at 1066 on the P5Q Deluxe, and what type of a experience should I expect.

Both of the CPU Coolers the Sunbeam and XIGMATEK seem to be almost the same cooler. Other then some slight design differences in the fins and heatpipes and mounting hardware. In performance FrostyTech.com mentioned that they basically mirrors each other. The questions that I have concerning them are will I have clearance issues with the memory and which mounting method would be the best. The Sunbeam plastic ring and clips or the XIGMATEK retention clips. And could a bolt through mounting system be used instead of the the Intel pushpin design.

I am also building a secondary computer using a Intel E6750 Core 2 Duo, ASUS P5Q-VM Micro ATX Motherboard, Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro, with Kingston HyperX (2 x 1GB) KHX6400D2LLK2/2G DDR2 800 memory that I currently own. The memory isn't listed in the boards QVL but similar Kingston HyperX memory. Is 4 sticks of this Kingston memory supported by this motherboard. I also would like to know peoples experience with this board as I haven't found many useful articles or reviews for this motherboard. Also, I am not dead set on this board, so if anyone has any recommendation for other micro ATX motherboards that support 4 sticks of the above memory I am interested to hear about them.

Edit Note: I also thought about using a GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3. What would be the best choice of the two as in stability, performance, compatibility.

Primary Computer

ASUS P5Q Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P45 Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5Q-E
Item #:N82E16813131296
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131297
$189.99


CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF - Retail
Model #:TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF
Item #:N82E16820145197
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145197
2X Memory Kit = $236.98

-or-

mushkin XP 4GB ASCENT w/ eVCI technology (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996619 - Retail
Model #:996619
Item #:N82E16820146789
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146789
2X Memory Kit = $259.98


Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120mm "Core Contact Freezer" CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #:CR-CCTF
Item #:N82E16835207004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835207004
$39.99

-or-

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #:HDT-S1283
Item #:N82E16835233003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233003
$31.99


Secondary Computer


ASUS P5Q-VM LGA 775 Intel G45 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5Q-VM
Item #:N82E16813131345
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131345
$118.99


Thanks,

-FridayXIII