Upgrading to C2D - Maybe - Convince Me!

[undefeatedone]

Ok, so I have a wad of Christmas Cash sitting in my wallet not doing anything.

My X2 4400+ has a TSC Core Sync issue VERY BADLY (it was a very early 4400+, possibly even a sample before they were released mainstream). I cannot even run my Counter-Strike:Source if I set it to one core in the Task Manager, and I've tried everything to keep it synced and the game stable. Right now, it's not even overclocked.

I have the DFI LP NF4 Ultra-D and the famed OCZ VX PC4000 Gold (yeah, that Winbond UTT that is capable of 2-2-2-5 1T @ 265). I recently bought an OCZ DDR Booster, but it doesn't like to keep my ram stable, and it didn't fit well. I've never been able to get 3.5V into it, and my PSU (the PCP&C 510W SLI) doesn't like the 5v rail Vdimm jumper mod, so I'm not going to attempt it. Overall, OC-wise, my PC has been pretty boring.

After these crazy Conroe price cuts, and a discovery of decently-priced DDR2 along with the amazing EVGA 680i, I was thinking about upgrading to C2D.

Here's what I got so far (open to suggestion):

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit (can somebody find me something better than this for under $250?) also, does this work well with the EVGA 680i?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231087
$224.99

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813188009
$249.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 4M Dual Core 1066MHz Socket LGA 775
http://www.stalliontek.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=CPC2D%2DE6600OEM
$279.99

I also need a decent CPU cooler, and after talking to a friend, I guess I'm years behind with that. I thought the XP-90 was still good :S I'm willing to spend up to $55 on a nice one that will give me a 3.5GHz+ OC.

This is my last build for a while. I'm a Junior in high school, so I'll be going off to college soon. This will be my last desktop (I'm getting a laptop for college) probably for a LOONG time :( I want this last one to be a monster that is a great OCer.

[XenatR]

for a hs, get a tuniq tower, and arm it with a 110cfm silvertsone 12cm fan ;p

[damnnit]

There are lots of other brands for 680i boards, if you wait you can check of DFI's 680i. Rd600 board from DFI should also be out sometime in Jan 07. Possible pricecut for intel cpus Q1-Q2 07 also. Tuniq is a good air cooler.

EVGA board has lots of problems, you should read up on it first. Ranges from memory issues (destroyed memory sticks) to Raid problems. Sound issues when running SLI also.

Your E6600 price is pretty high priced. Ram you can spend a lil more and check out the xtreme bandwidth forum threads.

[XenatR]

if youre willing to spend more on you memory, go with the G.Skill HZ 6400 2x1gb C4

for def.

[undefeatedone]

Thanks for the mobo advice! Wasn't aware of that. The eVGA 680i C2D OCs killed the P5Bs. That's what really caught my eye, I didn't bother checking anything else. The reason I wanted a 6600 is because of the multiplier (I don't like mem dividers) and that bit of extra cache.

I trust Nvidia and I like DFI, so I'll take a good look at DFI's 680i.

Would it be more price/performance efficient to spend a little more in the RAM area ($350 and an e6300) or the processor area ($280 for an e6600 and some $250 ram)? Say, for playing Counter-Strike: Source?

[phelan1777]

Your E6600 price is pretty high priced. Ram you can spend a lil more and check out the xtreme bandwidth forum threads.


umm not really considering according to pricewatch, the next one up is from NEgg and they want 322$ b4 S&H. It was 312 for a while, so 279 is not bad at all considering the alternatives.

http://www.pricewatch.com/cpu/core_2_duo_e6600_2.4ghz.htm


I have been looking at the prices and what who is saying about what because I too have been debating moving over to C2D.

I have seen the G.Skill HZs and Team Xtreem RAM mentioned/used quite a bit and I am also waiting for the DFI board as well.

[undefeatedone]

Is there anything that compares to the Intel Badaxe 2 for CPU overclocking and stability? I don't care about FSB as long as it can hit 500 easily.

I was thinking of the Badaxe 2, or a P5B-E 1.02 (how would I go about making sure I get a 1.02?), or a Striker Extreme (I can preorder it for $311). I'm mainly concerned about max cpu clocks and gaming performance, and I don't ever plan on going SLi.


EDIT: It looks like the 680i boards aren't viable options for me. They run much too hot, apparently burning:


if you take nothing I say here serious, atleast take this one point and listen for a second.

these boards run really.... reaaaaaaaally hot.
my Asus board here has heatpipes all over it, but after about 5 minutes of it on, its clear the heatpipes on this board are doing little to nothing for this board. this board should not be run with any form of passive cooling if you intend to overclock.

eVGA board has lots of problems, like Damnit said. SLi is overkill, which raises the price of the boards, some of the "nice" ASUS 680i options are hitting FSB walls at or below 500MHz. 650i doesn't clock as well as its cheaper counterparts, has IDE trouble, and may have the same heat problems, so that's out too.

It looks like it's between the P5B-E (I'd hope to get the 1.02), the LANParty UT ICFX3200 (RD600 chipset), and the Badaxe or Badaxe 2. I'd quite like to learn more about how the Badaxes' clock, and if they have any major problems, for instance, with excess heat (needing active cooling), or if they don't like some RAM. These mobos have very appealing prices, don't look like they have very many issues, and seem to overclock well.

Does anyone know of major issues that would keep one away from buying one of these boards (like an intermediate overclocker such as myself)? I'd like to make a decision on the 3 parts soon, so I can replace this problematic 939 X2 setup.