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Trying to sort out a Core 2 Quad Build

MDE

MDE

Lifer
Before anyone asks, I encode and transcode a LOT of video while gaming, all four cores would be used (well, at least 3 of them).

Here's what I'm looking at:
Motherboard: DFI P35-T2RL
RAM: 2GB Mushkin DDR2 1066 (I'll probably get a much better deal from my Mushkin contact)
CPU: Core 2 Quad Q6600 Retail
PSU: Seasonic S12 SS-500GB 500W
Samsung SATA DVD burner

I don't have a set budget, but cheaper is always better. I'm upgrading the PSU because I'm going to use my current one in another system, and will carry over the following from my "old" system:

Hard drives
Big Typhoon CPU heatsink
Antec P180
Abit PCIe WiFi card
Radeon X1900XT 512MB
ATI HDTV Wonder
Analog PCI TV Tuner card


My main concerns are:

Are the PSU's cables long enough for the P180, and is there a better unit or cheaper equivalent?
Is there a better\cheaper motherboard that won't hinder overclocking?
Should I just get a new heatsink now and save myself the possible future trouble of taking the motherboard out to replace it?
Keeping the system relatively quiet. It sits inches away from my left ear, a hum is all I want to hear, so no active chipset cooling and the PSU has to be quiet.
 
You shouldn't have any problems with the length of your cables unless you are one of those people that like to run the cables behind the mobo tray or around the inside wall of the case. I have a Thermaltake Armor case and what I do is I wind up loose cable, zip tie it into a wad, and push it into an unused drive bay.

From what I have been able to tell, if you pay extra money for a better P35 board, most of your money is going into extra features and less into better OCing ability. Just look for a mobo that has all the features you are going to use and buy it.

If you definetly plan on getting a new heatsink, you might as well now. The Typhoon is still a very good heatsink, and if you don't want to spend a good $50-$60 on new one, then just reuse the Typhoon.

If you want a quiet PC, with a Q6600, and plan on OCing above 3GHz, you will need water cooling. 3GHz is a safe OC on air cooling, but if you plan on have a quiet, cool PC, I would only OC it a little bit if at all.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139001

This is a very good PSU. It is a little more expensive but it has recieved rave reviews.

Enjoy the new system,

Ryan
 
You shouldn't have any problems with the length of your cables unless you are one of those people that like to run the cables behind the mobo tray or around the inside wall of the case. I have a Thermaltake Armor case and what I do is I wind up loose cable, zip tie it into a wad, and push it into an unused drive bay.

From what I have been able to tell, if you pay extra money for a better P35 board, most of your money is going into extra features and less into better OCing ability. Just look for a mobo that has all the features you are going to use and buy it.

If you definetly plan on getting a new heatsink, you might as well now. The Typhoon is still a very good heatsink, and if you don't want to spend a good $50-$60 on new one, then just reuse the Typhoon.

If you want a quiet PC, with a Q6600, and plan on OCing above 3GHz, you will need water cooling. 3GHz is a safe OC on air cooling, but if you plan on have a quiet, cool PC, I would only OC it a little bit if at all.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139001

This is a very good PSU. It is a little more expensive but it has recieved rave reviews.

EDIT:

Sorry, I double posted on accident.

Enjoy the new system,

Ryan
 
It's good to see that I'm at least on the right track, and thanks for the PSU recommendation. Newegg doesn't really specify whether or not the PCIe connectors on it are 6 or 8 pin, and Corsair's site doesn't say either, would you happen to know?
 
It comes with 2x 6pin connectors. Yes, you are definetly on the right track with a P35 board and your other hardware. Good work!

 
Am I going to be losing much if anything by going with DDR2 800? It's a good bit cheaper and the Mushkin DDR2 1066 is out of stock at Newegg.
 
Nah 800 vs 1066 doesn't matter unless you're seriously overclocking the thing and running your memory faster than your FSB.
 
A lot of 2GB DDR2 800 (CAS 4) kits are known to consistently hit 1000+ Mhz with relaxed timings. While overclocks are never guaranteed, you can check recent customer reviews to form an idea. (Products from Crucial, Mushkin, Patriot, Super Talent, OCZ....)

Even if you have the worst luck and get stuck with something that won't go past 800MHz, it's not going to limit your overclock in any way (Q6600 has a x9 multiplier). You can get a quality pair for ~$100 and a MIR makes it even better.
 
Thanks, I didn't see that Ballistix last night. Hopefully the rebate doesn't disappear before I buy 😛.
 
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