Need help with some parts..

[CrimsonGX]

I've lurked here back in 05ish when people were OCing Opterons instead of the X2s, haven't really kept up with computer tech since then.

I've got harddrives taken care of, planning on using my 70 gb raptor and 250 gb WD. Using my old DVD drives. I plan to use my 7800GT for another two months before I drop in a new Graphics card into this. I won't play much other than WoW and CSS. I don't plan on overclocking.


What I'm looking at is:
Q6600, I know some people will say things about E8400s and others will defend the Q6600, but this is pretty much set
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115017

RAM: mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (Any other suggestions are welcome)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146731

Motherboard: Drawing a blank here. I'd just like something nice that wont give me problems. Looking to spend around 100-120

PSU: PC Power & Cooling 610w (More power than I need, but it's $90 and I've heard good things from magazines in the past, any suggestions are welcome..)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817703005

Case: Antec P180 in Black from frys/outpost.com for $97 total using in store pickup. I was looking at the tempest, but it'd be around 140 after tax and shipping.

 

[DSF]

What are you doing with the computer besides light gaming? The Q6600 is really a waste for WoW and CS:S. That could be handled easily by an E7200.

The PCP&C isn't going to be as quiet as other PSUs in its class due to the 80mm fan. Not jet engine loud, but loud enough that it doesn't earn its "Silencer" label. Maybe that's why Newegg doesn't refer to them that way anymore? High quality PSU, there are just quieter ones in the same price range if that matters to you.

Are you overclocking? If not, the P43 chipset provides stability and PCI-e 2.0 compliance at a very nice price.

 

[Shaker8]

Hey Crimson,

Try this it helps them out when they know everything, and you will get better responses

PLEASE when POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

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.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?


The above information IS NEEDED, in order that WE can help YOU make wise judgments on YOUR purchases

 

[CrimsonGX]

What are you doing with the computer besides light gaming? The Q6600 is really a waste for WoW and CS:S. That could be handled easily by an E7200.

Really just that.. Nothing terribly intensive(not Crysis or anything like that, anyway), WoW, CSS, maybe some spore and warhammer later in the year.

High quality PSU, there are just quieter ones in the same price range if that matters to you.

Although I don't think sound would really bother me, I'd be open to any alternatives in the the same price range.

Are you overclocking? If not, the P43 chipset provides stability and PCI-e 2.0 compliance at a very nice price.

Don't plan on overclocking, main reason I came here was for suggestions on the motherboard, In the past(when I lurked in 05), anandtech always had nice threads about known issues with boards and solutions.

PLEASE when POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

eh, kind of felt it was pretty straightfoward.
1. Stated in OP, some light gaming, WoW, CSS, Warhammer and spore in the future, nothing too cutting edge.
2. I don't have a set budget, I posted parts and if there's any better alternatives in the same price range(whether lower, or $10-20 higher), I welcome any suggestions.
3. US, planning on ordering most of the stuff from newegg, I'll to tigerdirect as well.
4. Not really any brand pref, only thing I could really say is I'd like to stay away from crucial ram..
5. Listed in OP
6. Browsed first page, found similar threads about needing help deciding on mobo. I'll check out older threads and take a look at the Motherboard forum.
7. Not OCing
8. Next week

and, thanks for the replies

 

[betasub]

DSF & Shaker8 both make good points. It's good to start your thread (or edit the OP) to show all the relevant info (you'll get most responses based on your spec/questions there).

Re: PSU, not sure if you can find a bundle deal to get an Antec PSU with that P180 case. A Quattro would be overkill for your gaming demands, but an Earthwatts would be good replacement for the PCP&C if your budget bites

 

[DSF]

I have to say, I think your fixation on the Q6600 is a mistake with your usage. 90-100% of the time you'll only be using two of the cores at most, and for that kind of application the E7200 would be faster for a fraction of the price. Do you have any idea what kind of video card you intend to move up to? That would influence the power supply decision.

 

[CrimsonGX]

For some reason I actually thought I mentioned encoding and backing up DVDs. My goal with the new parts is to run WoW while ripping a DVD to transfer onto my PSP, be able to alt tab and look something up online quickly/chat with friends, as well as play some games that coming out. That was my main reason for opting for a Q6600 rather than one of the higher clocked duals.

PSU, not sure if you can find a bundle deal to get an Antec PSU with that P180 case.

Not really aware of any bundle deals right now with the P180 other than the one with the 850w psu(that's $290 with shipping/tax), with the outpost.com thing, I can snag the P180 for $97 with tax. Then get the PCP&C for around 90

Do you have any idea what kind of video card you intend to move up to? That would influence the power supply decision.

I'm not up to par with graphics cards at all, but something in the 200-250 dollar range would be nice, an 8800GTS or 9800GTX in that price bracket? I'd be up for an ATI card, but I'm not really sure what an equivalent would be. When I do replace the graphics card, I also plan on stepping up to a higher resolution monitor (1680x1050 or so, to replace my 17 inch 1280x1024). I'd really not worry about monitors right now, though.

What I'm really really interested in is some motherboard recommendations if I'm not overclocking. I don't think I'd run two cards. Main goal is stability. I'm clueless about mobos with Core 2s. I've heard good things from an online friend about Gigabyte with his Q6600, I've used Asus with my Opteron 170 and it ran great. But I'd like to know which ones have minimal issues.

 

[DSF]

Ah, Q6600 makes more sense then.

For someone who's not overclocking, the P43 chipset provides pretty good value.