C2D E6400 (ASUS or GIGABYTE) and cooling

[mikieboyblue]

Hello everyone,

I am looking at a C2D E6400 (not the 6600 because it isn't worth the extra 100 bucks). I am completely new to Intel and therefore need help finding a motherboard. I have identified two. I am looking for a board that will OC well and run cool. I also need help with cooling for the chipset and the CPU. The rest of the components I'll be buying are:

OCZ 2GB (2x1GB) OCZ2G10002GK
SAPPHIRE 100146DDVIL Radeon X1600XT

Anything else one would need is being stripped from my AMD box.

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DQ6 (~$203)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128323

ASUS P5B Deluxe (~$190)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131045

1. Thoughts on the motherboard?

Chipset cooling:
On my current AMD system that died due to a RAM slot failure I was using a VANTEC ICEBERQ for many years. I have no clue what to use on these Intel boards. Could someone provide suggestions that are both moderately priced and will produce about the same amount of sound as the VANTEC (about nothing). I would want something copper.

1. What cooling device for the northbridge?
2. What cooling device for other components?

CPU cooling:
I used to have my AMD CPU cooled with air but the sound just got out of control...I moved to water cooling (all within the case) about 4 years ago and it was lot quieter but still kinda loud. My temps were as described in my sig. On hot days (90F room temp) they were about 49C full load.

At this point, all I need is a waterblock to water cool the Intel chip but I'm not sure if I would get better results than with some quiet air cooling. I am attempting to balance cost/cooling/sound.

1. Water cooling or air?
2. If water cooling suggested water block?
3. If air cooling suggested HSF?

Thanks guys and gals!
Mike

[Merlin7777]

why not go with the gigabyte ds3? it makes for a great overclocker, plus it saves you at least $70.

[darkcow]

if you already have watercooling... why go back to air?


what kind of radiator do you have. because you can get a dual 120mm mcr220 with 2 yateloons for cheap.


i agree with the ds3, it'll do the job.


as for NB cooling. i wouldn't bother.... especialy with the p5b for dq4.

[mikieboyblue]

Thanks for the replies!

The only thing that the GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 lacks is a Firewire port, which, on occasion I use. But maybe not enough to worry about having it.

I do like the NB and SB cooling on the P5B and DQ6; although I am not sure how hot the Intel NBs get compared to the NF2 Ultra and VIA NBs I've had in the past that required active cooling. Another plus for the P5B is that is doesn't waste space with the useless parallel port...and I with they would get rid of the serial port at as well. But whether those ports are there or not is certainly not a make or break it issue.

As far as my water cooling, I am extremely tight on space at it is in the case. The system is kinda loud probably due to vibration against the steel. The fan I am sure is not the quietest. I have the following for my AMD 2600+:

Waterblock:
MAZE4 - Copper Top, 1/2 Brass Fittings

Coolant:
ZEREX

Pump:
Eheim 1250 w/ relay switch

Fan:
Sunon 120x38mm

Rad:
Unpainted Core (Brass Barbs 1/2")
http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=91

Tubing:
Clearflex 60 1/2" ID 3/4" OD

Thanks,
Mike

[mikieboyblue]

Hey darkcow,

Any suggestions on the water cooling?

Thanks,
Mike

[krazyshane]

Thanks for the replies!

The only thing that the GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 lacks is a Firewire port, wh....

You could always just add a firewire pci card for cheap. :shrug:

Shane

[soulrider4ever]

ds3 is a good choice..

also of note, gigabyte now has revision 2.0 out on dq6,ds4,and ds3 I believe, so shop smart.

[warlock110]

i like gigabyte... it's alot cheaper... but if u have money go ASUS.

[greenmaji]

The DS3 is inferiour to both boards listed.. ICH8 southbridge rather then the ICH8R, no Intel raid.

If your going for a cheap board.. the Biostar TForce 965PT is a better choice, the DS3 doesnt clock D9GMH ram as well.

as far as the two boards you listed.. the Asus is the better choice for overclocking.

[mikieboyblue]

Thanks for all your input guys! I decided to go with the Asus board. Hopefully it will all turn out well.

I still need to find a solid water block for this cpu though...and maybe some nice quite low profile 120mm fans and shrouds for my rad.

Thanks,
Mike

[Tarl]

I was kinda in the same predicament here recently. I have been with AMD since the Tbird 1.4ghz was released...wow, prob six (6) years+. Have never looked back because the superior performance of the AMD chips was just too much to ever go back to Intel.

However, the Core2Duos changed that. Intel is back in front. :)

I needed two (2) IDE controllers (Yea, I know, have not switched to SATA yet) so one of the few high performance motherboards that has 2 IDE is the Asus P5W-DH Deluxe.

Finally made the jump, picked that bad boy up and had my E6400 running STABLE at 3.0Ghz within an hour at default vcore. :)

Good choice of board.

[mikieboyblue]

Thanks Tarl...I has been with AMD since th KII/3 450 Mhz era...soooo long ago....and really feel bad for going with Intel since I still think AMD really does have the superior technology (integrated memory controller is something Intel should have done years ago)....

Anyhow, the board just came and after I get a few other parts I'll start to play around!

[greenmaji]

no problem on the input
and good luck with your build! :D