Help me choose

[jcll2002]

Ive gathered 1k to "fool around with" for my computer. I have some really hard choices to make because they are so similar but can make a huge difference.

Let me give you some background first-
I just got a 7950GT KO from RMA so i have like 75 days until the eVGA step up runs out. I was thinking about stepping up to the G80. It would only cost me about $300 to do this. That said, I was thinking about upgrading to c2d (well not thinking, just thinking how exactly i would do it). I wasn't sure whether to get an e6600, e6400, p5b-deluxe, p5w DH. You know- the standard questions. Anyway, I don't really do any video encoding or anything like that.

My ultimate goal is to hit 3.6ghz or greater with the CPU. I'm watercooled. That said, I know it's really hit or miss, but i don't want to spend an extra $150 or whatever it is when i could have gotten the same clock or close to that. Anyway, here is what I've narrowed it down to.

e6600
P5B-Deluxe
crucial ballistix 10th anniversary 2gb ddr2-667

e6600
P5B-E
crucial ballistix 10th anniversary 2gb ddr2-667

e6600
P5W DH Deluxe
crucial ballistix 10th anniversary 2gb ddr2-667

e6400
P5B Deluxe
crucial ballistix 10th anniversary 2gb ddr2-667

e6400
P5B-E
crucial ballistix 10th anniversary 2gb ddr2-667

Yes, I'm open to other ram suggestions also.

I've seen on the conroe overclock database that the clocks really aren't that far off between the e6400/e6600. Ive seen people crap out at 3.2ghz for both. So, i really don't know what to do.

I'm 16 years old and obviously money is precious

 

[hUMANbEATbOX]

with watercooling, either a e6400 or e6600 would give you an equal shot at 3.6ghz, imo. i can run 3.6ghz with my e6300, on air even.

the main difference is, the extra cache of the e6600. you need to decide if it is worth it to you.

 

[batboy]

If you are on a tight budget, get the E6400 and O/C the snot out of it. The P5B would probably handle 450 FSB better than the P5W DH. That Crucial RAM should also handle 450 FSB with a little extra voltage and more relaxed timings. The vid card thing is up to you. I would think the 7950 could handle anything you throw at it. Are you a hardcore gamer with a big widescreen monitor?

 

[jcll2002]

kinda hardcore but not really, and i have a nice big WS monitor .

The cache really doesn't seem that important outside of superpi times. I'm tempted to go with the e6400, but i just keep thinking that ill only get like 3.2 ghz you know?

Yeah, the more I think about it, i dont need THAT much CPU power, so i should "save" my $100.

I think i should spend the extra $50 and go with the Deluxe p5b rather than the p5b-e because of the extra chipset cooling. am i thinking right?

 

[TankGuys]

6400. From everything I've read, you won't see a whole lot of performance advantage with the 6600. There's a HUGE OC database thread going @ hardforum (blah, yea I know ) that shows a lot of 6400 users getting much higher clocks than 6600 users. You lose the 2mb of cache, but for most uses, you won't miss it - and for saving $100, it's usually a good trade off.

 

[jcll2002]

^^yeah i was just looking at that DB and thats what made me wonder in the first place

 

[ghosty1234]

Follow Badboys advice. Take the 6400 and push the hell out of it.
But i would prefer the P5B Deluxe.
Your Crucial will handle such FSB with a little more Voltage.

 

[{FKR}Loki]

E6400 P5B Deluxe Non wifi

Your going to love and 3.6 would be no sweat watercooled.

I wish I kept my E6400 it did 3.8 with 1.5v 24/7

Which reminds me I need to change my siggy...