Some help with a quad core build?

[DRYJESUS]

Hey, I need a little help with a new quad core build. Any suggestions are welcome.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Mostly gaming, homework, and occasional video editing for fun.
2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
Only around $700-$800 since I already have a video card (Radeon HD 4870 1GB)
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
Canada - Preferably from NCIX.
4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
Intel-- no AMD please :)
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Radeon HD 4870 1GB
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Yes, but i want to be cautious not to ruin any of my parts... (I haven't oc'ed before)
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Boxing Day.

Thanks for any help! If you need any information, just ask :)

[geokilla]

Your ATI 4870 is an AMD part you know ;). Anyways, a general idea of what you should be able to get for around $700 to $800. Of course, I can't give you the exact prices now due to Boxing Day and the massive sales.

Intel Q6600 or Q9450
ASUS P5Q Pro or Gigabyte EP45 series
OCZ/G.Skill/Patriot/Mushkin/Corsair 4GB DDR800 4-4-4-12 or DDR1000 5-5-5-15 if the price difference is only say $5
Seagate/Western Digital/ Samsung 640GB hard drive
OCZ Vendetta 2
Corsair HX620

The case I'll leave it up to you since we all prefer different designs and style and sizes. Good luck, have fun, and don't forget to make a worklog. Oh, and don't forget to price match, even though I'm not sure if NCIX would let you do price matches on such a busy day.

[DRYJESUS]

Originally Posted by geokilla

The case I'll leave it up to you since we all prefer different designs and style and sizes. Good luck, have fun, and don't forget to make a worklog. Oh, and don't forget to price match, even though I'm not sure if NCIX would let you do price matches on such a busy day.

Well, I would like a window on the side and good cable management. I'll probably have to wait until boxing day to choose my case. I've been thinking of the Antec 900 or 1200...
I believe that no stores price match on Boxing Day. How can I find out what the prices will be on NCIX? Is there a flyer? I don't want to line up at NCIX at 5am, not knowing what I want yet.

[jak3_dude]

well that rules out core i7 I guess, since you'd need 700$ for mobo/cpu/ram only...

Two Quad Cores I constantly hear raved about are the Q6600 because it's a monster overclocker and the Q9450. The former is bit less than 200$ and the later is a bit over 300$ both before taxes

My personal opinion would be to get a Q6600. DDR2 vs DDR3 would be your call. If you go for DDR2, Mushkin Redlines are raved about to no end as well. The ASUS P5K motherboard is also a highly like mobo. Corsair TX750 is a 750W PSU that provides very good bang for your buck and can handle just about anything people throw at it. Search for the AAKS 640, very fast 7200RPM hard drive. Case is highly personal, but to give you an idea

-Q6600 190$
-Redline 70$
-Asus P5K 105$
-WD 640GB AAKS 75$
-Corsair TX750 120$

Total 560$ before tax and price matching

NCIX has Pricematching, they match anyone from canada so long as it's in stock.

This leaves you with the rest for a nice case and some after markter coolers

[Nodscene]

Man, if you can find a Q6600 for $190 please let me know!

[jak3_dude]

Originally Posted by Nodscene

Man, if you can find a Q6600 for $190 please let me know!

d'oh I went to newegg.com again instead of .ca

yeah, 220$

[DRYJESUS]

What speeds do you think I can overclock a Q6600 with aftermarket coolers?

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by DRYJESUS

What speeds do you think I can overclock a Q6600 with aftermarket coolers?

3.2 maybe 3.4 .. anything higher would require water and or a good chip.

[DRYJESUS]

Okay, so far I'm getting:

Mobo: P5Q? Any more suggestions?
Video Card: Radeon HD 4870 1GB

For all the other parts, I'll get those at NCIX for Boxing Day.
But I',m still not sure about the mobo...

[DRYJESUS]

Okay, it's come down to this.
P5Q Pro, or P5K Deluxe? This is what people are telling me to get, and I just saw someone ocing their q6600 to 3.5 with the P5K on air.