Building New System, Q6600, or Q6700...

Hello everyone, It's been a while since I've posted here.. I was hoping to get some info from everyone. I'm upgrading and doing my First Build. I kno enough that I'll be ok with doing it all.. I was hoping to get some info on Vista 64, I'm going to get 64bit, what I have now is 32. even tho I post here in 64 forum. lol. How is 64, overall can you do mostly everything, or is there still plenty of problems and hardware not compatible..

Here is what I'm thinking about doing for my build.. Everyone's thoughts and Inputs, or Changes on this system would be nice.. Please Share..

CPU: Q6600, or Q6700 (is 6700 worth the price difference?)
I can get a 6600 for $195 USD at moment.
Mobo: First thought. Nvidia 750i (Good budget MB)
Now maybe gigabyte ep35-ds3p, or ds4,
OR the GIGABYTE GA-EP35C-DS3R (no slot for Dual GFX, but has DDR3 option unlike the above listed. what Mobo you guys think?
Case: Cooler Master 690, with new Windowed Side Panel
PSU: Corsair 520HX, or 620HX, or an Earthwatts if I'm low on cash
2x2 RAM, Light Blue G-Skill, Maybe some Mushkin
GPU: 8800GT(S), or the 9800GTX (Keep my 8600GT @620MHz til i get $$ for others, & it has the Zalman VF700 w/ Artic Silver 5)
Optical: have 1 xtra, plus maybe a Pioneer DVDRW 20x cuz Cheap
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 32mb Cache
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme, or Tuniq Tower
And Anything else that comes to Mind.

This is What I'm planning on Doing, ya I still have to make some Final Choices on a few things.. overall I think it's a good setuip, with room for later, only can do so much, Tecnology will always have something newer. This will do me for a while at least.. Plus it's my First COMPLETE build, I've done partials plenty.. like current system.

Please Share ur inputs, if anyone has any of the items and wants to tell me about how it's workin for them. I'd really appreciate some Feedback and maybe someone help me decide on the Mobo, or a different PSU, something quiet, that will be mounted on bottom of Case.

Thank You Much!!!

My Rig: Sadly, a HP. I was stupid and in NEEED after my old partial build crashed..!! it was DIRT cheap with 50% off at Circuit City. Can't complain

ASUS Narra- -AMD X2 5400+ 2.8GHz- -XFX 8600GT XXX @ 620MHz- -2x2GB Patriot(Coming)- -250GB HDDx2- -Samsung SyncMaster 226BW 22Inch Widescreen-

When you install the Vista 64, only put one stick of RAM in until you do the SP1 upgrade and then the other upgrades. Install the other stick after the OS is up and running. Also get the drivers for your video card from the nVidia website. They have the signed version, while at last check, xFx and evga did not. Also make sure you flash the BIOS on your 750i that download of course you can get from the board manufacturer, but what the heck, while you are on the nVidia site you may as well download it as well. Get the latest audio driver from the realtek site if you are using the onboard sound. I'm assuming that the 750 uses the realtek audio same as the 790.

Just make sure you have the latest drivers for your stuff, Vista 64 is not always a happy camper when it doesn't get the latest drivers. Brink did a thread on the audio drivers, you don't have to read the whole thing (it's like 9 million pages lol) just the last page or two will contain the up to date stuff. Have fun. I built this rig, my first build, and it hasn't blown up yet............. although there was some serious thought of taking a sledge hammer to it a time or two...........

Damn bubba, you have quite the system there.. so ur sayin when I get it I will only put 1 of the 2x2GB cards in.. only one. then install OS, get all the updated drivers and what not. get those all going, then add the other stick.. also I hear with 64 you can only use signed drivers.. correct?

Also where can I get Vista 64... and not spend a Load of Cash!

I understand Microsoft just lowered the prices of all editions of Vista. If you haven't lately, check out your local stores for new prices.

Snarks

Well gunther, I am far from an expert, heck I'm not even a semi literate noob lol, but it's my understanding that you have fewer problems with the signed drivers. I had a ton of crashes from the start to finish and along the way learned about using just 1 stick of RAM, flashing the BIOS, and signed drivers. When I did it that way everything started working.

As far as cheap vista 64? Fry's sells what they cal an OEM version for half price. It's what computer builders use. The kicker is though that you get absolutely NO support from Microsoft. If you have a problem tough. Oh, they will answer any question for 60 bucks a phione call.......... it only take 2 or three phone calls though and you are past what the retail version costs. Also you can't upgrade it to anything else.

What, no support.. thats pretty lame, as in you can't call and ask for help while having problems and stuff like that.. I never call Microsoft anyways.. I always find my answers to EVERYTHING online. all my problems have been solved in forums like this and a website called Atomic! Does the OEM still have automatic updates and all that Jazz.. It's just the same as everything else but no 24/7 hour support. I could live with that. I'm not going to ever call microsoft anyways. and you can't upgrade.. upgrade to what??

your a noob huh.. doesn't look like it by ur system specs. but then again, lots of people don't kno much and get sweet machines built.. Thanks for the info tho.. I'll look into OEM Vista 64

Yeah you can do the updates with the oem version. Make sure you download sp1 or get a disc with it on. Here ya go, try this link:

Newegg.com - Operating Systems, Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows Vista 32, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Media Center, Linux

Look about halfway down the page and you'll see the Ultimate 64bit with the SP1 included. Looks like it's 20 bucks more. Only you can decide if it's worth $20 to just pop in the cd and let the installer do it's work or download the massive file and then install it after installing the original OS.


As to my system? Yeah I was too stupid to know I couldn't build it so just went ahead and did it. What I like is that I have room to upgrade to the 1600 MHz processors and RAM when they get down in price. Heck the 790 will take up to 2000MHz of SLI ready RAM (whatever that is. LOL by the time I decide to get it, I'll know.) I see they are working on an 8 core CPU, wonder if it will need a special Mobo? Just damn, I think I've picked a never ending "hobby.'' Looks like I'll never get my wood shop built now...........

EDIT: Oh. Here, have a beer.........

Ya a beer sounds nice, I'm drinkin a Bud Select right now actually.. but thanks.. want one??

So question.. Vista Ultimate 64 bit, or Vista Home Premium 64 bit. Whats the Difference of the 2. and I'd rather save the 20 bucks.. get 64 and download the medium sized but downloads plenty fast.. SP1 and then install it. I don't need to pay extra to get it already on the disk.. although I need to do some checking, cuz I don't kno the difference between the 2 different 64 bit vista;s. If anyone knows please share the info with me.. also I got my case today.

The Cooler Master 690, I took some pictures with it next to my brothers Antec 900, I personally like the CM 690 much better than the 900, the Antec looks nice and cool, but the CM is much better overall, better quality. better inside also, tooless design, Wire Management. Place to hold screws in case you need.. It's much better on the inside.. It's not just all looks and fans like the 900.. Although don't get me wrong. the 900 is a badass case, I just like mine more.. Here's some Pics!.

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/34/img2899uf4.jpg

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/6955/img2900lc6.jpg

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2711/img2906pd5.jpg

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/9112/img2907gr9.jpg

Well in short Gunther, being an idiot, I had to install and re install my OS about 14 or 15 times because it would lock up and just refuse to work because of my lack of knowledge about the hardware configurations. Initially, I decided that it was the Vista not my ignorance in computer building (always blame someone else first right?) so I took my OEM version of Vista Home Premium 64 bit back to Fry's and made them credit the price to a retail version of Vista 64 bit. Of course all they sold in a Vista 64 bit retail version was the Ultimate which cost 200 dollars more (or virtually 3 times the price). on hind site knowing it wasn't the OEM version, i wasted 200 bucks. Well not really 200 bucks because I went from Vista Home Premium to Vista Ultimate so it was in reality a smaller chunk of change. I checked other box stores and no one sold a retail version of the 64 bit version in anything other than the ultimate, so basically I got ultimate because I needed the 64 bit system.

Whether you need the Ultimate, Premium, or Basic 64 bit is really up to you and no one can make the decision for you. Ultimate encompasses ALL the features in the Basic, Home Premium as well as the Business versions and adds some extras. Personally, looking at the prices a t Newegg for all the different versions, I just don't think the dollar figure from even the basic to the Ultimate considering what I spent and what you are going to spend on your build. What are we talking, 1 or 2 percent of the total price tag? r is it more like .1 or .2 percent? But that is your decision. I'm tighter than Dick's hatband on some things and realistic on others. Here is a comparison chart with links to explain the feature. Darn but you are a lazy feller lol.

Compare Editions

Let me know what you decide please. I'm the nosy sort, I mean curious type.........

EDIT: About your case. LOL here I got cheap. The cooler master IS wicked, but when i got my antec 900 it was on sale for 75 bucks. I agree with every thing you say about the two and I don't care about looks, but on the case I went with the price. The ANTEC was MUCH cheaper at the time. Now they are back up to 150 or so..........

hmm..... now i really don't kno Home premium looks fine, although it doens't have back up and restore.. thats a little iffy, cuz that feature comes in handy... don't worry I'll keep little Curious posted.. MMKay

P.s. I got my Tax refund today.. so the Mobo will be ordered any day now, much sooner than I thought.. YAY