New Build...Did I make a mistake?

[Lazz]

Here is the system I'm putting together as soon as the TRUE arrives.

1. Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor

2. ABIT IP35-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

3. EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

4. CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX

5. Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

6. CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply

7. SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22" 2ms(GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor

8. LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA

9. Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

10. Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme / Scythe S-Flex

I have a question about 2 of the items...

Did I buy the wrong Ram? As I cruise around the site I see just about everyone running 2gbs of ram and not 4. I've read that 2 sticks of 2gbs are hard the Oc than 2 sticks of 1gbs. I just figured more ram the better. Also should I have gotten 1066 instead of 800? I thought that faster timings were better for Ocing which is why I went with the above ram, I could find 4gbs of cas4. Or does this even matter now????

Next, should I have gone with Vista 64 instead of 32? I've aslo been reading that I will not have use of all 4gbs of my ram with the 32bit. Is this true?

 

[JLK03F150]

I'm still running WinXP, but IMO you'll be better off with 2x2GB using Vista. Yes, the 64 bit version will show all 4GB and the 32 bit will only show you ~3GB. I think the system does use it even though you can't see it - I've never read a good novice level explanation (which I require- lol) of it though. If you can switch to 64 bit w/o a restock fee, go for it.

DDR800 runs at 400MHz, so you have room to overclock the Q6600 up to 3.6GHz (9x400) without overclocking your RAM. It should be a great combo.

From the comparisons I've seen, there's no performance difference between DDR800 @ CL4 vs DDR1066 @ CL5, but the higher RAM speed puts more stress on the north bridge. The DDR1066 is a good pick if you have a Wolfdale that can overclock up to a 500MHz FSB, but you'll never get that far with a Q6600.

Very nice looking build.

 

[VinnyTAMU]

I have a question about 2 of the items...

Did I buy the wrong Ram? As I cruise around the site I see just about everyone running 2gbs of ram and not 4. I've read that 2 sticks of 2gbs are hard the Oc than 2 sticks of 1gbs. I just figured more ram the better. Also should I have gotten 1066 instead of 800? I thought that faster timings were better for Ocing which is why I went with the above ram, I could find 4gbs of cas4. Or does this even matter now????

No the ram you bought should be fine for your needs. Lets assume that your ram won't overclock at all, that gives you a maximum overclock of 9 x 400 = 3.6GHz. Even if your memory can overclock most Q6600's have a hard time running any thing over 3.6GHz 24/7. The one trade off in going with 2x2GB vs 2x1GB is that 2x1GB sets typically have higher overclocking potential (both at increasing speed and lowering latency) vs the 2x2GB set. However since you are using VISTA, its probably a fair traidoff to get more memory.

Next, should I have gone with Vista 64 instead of 32? I've aslo been reading that I will not have use of all 4gbs of my ram with the 32bit. Is this true?

Yes, VISTA 32-bit will not be able to fully address all 4GB of your memory, you will see something around 3GB. If you purchased a retail (non OEM) version of VISTA, you have the ability to send in (for a minimum fee) for the 64-bit edition of the VISTA version that you bought.

 

[attack]

I think your build is pretty damn solid. I'd go for 64 bit, but you can upgrade for 5 bucks I think (I read that somewhere). If not 3gb is still good for now. I just got a laptop with 3gb of RAM and it's working great (it's a high end laptop running 32bit vista home prem, and when playing crysis, running steam in the background I'm still not going over 2.5gb)

 

[mrgoodwords]

Nice build...Stay with 2X2. What did you pay for the memory? I just built a very similar system and was looking at that set of DDR. I went with the GSkill tho as it was so much cheaper and had great reviews. I love the P35-E, you save $100 from Pro and unless you need RAID or SLI, you get just about the same options (Except IEEE mobo connector for the case). Don't forget to pick up some AS5...

 

[ScottinIndy]

Pretty darn solid looking build, Looks like you did your homework! Enjoy!