Best Core 2 Series Desktops-Results and Specs

[TOM@METRO]

Originally Posted by zonedude

Ok This is going to be my first attemp at recording and getting a computer. I would like to build something that can be used with the MBox and protools. I do not know what to build ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I am new at this. I was looking at Sweetwaters Creation Station to get an idea where to start. But they do not really give the exact data that is needed to buy the parts.

Read through this very thread, and the i7 thread, it's all here.

[TOM@METRO]

Originally Posted by ddemetrius456

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Wow... That's easy for you to say.

[daeron80]

Well, it's finally time to upgrade my home system. Juicin' up from a 2 GHz single core to a 2.4 GHz Quad! Very similar setup to others who have been given thumbs up, so I don't anticipate any issues, but I'll run it by for anyone who cares to peruse it, JIC. I'll be installing XP Home SP3, and sticking with PT 7.3 for a while.

Wish to goodness they'd put two PATA connectors on the new mobos. That would save me having to buy a new system drive. Still, it's under $800 total (mostly newegg), so I guess I can't complain. Too much.

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Antec Solo Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower
OCZ StealthXStream 600W PSU
ASUS P5Q Pro Turbo LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4Ghz Processor
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 RAM
512MB Asus HD 4350 Silent, PCI-E 2.0(x16) Video Card
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA System Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA Audio Drive
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The Q6600 will probably be new OEM, or I may risk a lightly used one. Either way, it'll be under $200. Most everybody is out of NIBs except Amazon, and they want $429.

I'll be using my "old" (6 mos old!) audio drive, 500 GB Seagate IDE, for backup. Paid about as much for it as both of those SATA WDs cost put together. Ain't that a kick in the pants? OK, I've used nearly all the emoticons now, so I guess I'm done. Post looks like a frickin' easter egg hunt.

[daeron80]

And - hey! This is weird. Some Q6600s have a part number starting with BX, while others start with HH. The HH ones seem to be more highly valued. What the heck's the dang deal?

[mano111]

Originally Posted by daeron80

And - hey! This is weird. Some Q6600s have a part number starting with BX, while others start with HH. The HH ones seem to be more highly valued. What the heck's the dang deal?

Sound like a question from 1-2 years ago. The HH are probably the lower power stepping so they should run cooler and OC better at stock voltage.

Regardless I think you should consider i7 system. If its out of your reach ($$$) and you must stay on socket 775 then try Intel Q9550 or Q9400 CPUs. Q6600 is somewhat dated - I'm still on it and while its very good, I wouldn't buy one today.

[daeron80]

Thanks, Mano. Yeah, the i7s are a little out of reach. I'm tempted by the 9550 - 12 MB of L2 and all. But $100 extra bucks, IDK. Especially since the 6600 has proven itself to be so perfectly compatible. Ordering tomorrow. Could change my mind by then.

[daeron80]

BTW, they'll be a few legacy bits in my system. I'm planning to transfer my old ATA optical drive, as well as two PS/2 components: a Microsoft keyboard, and a Kensington trackball. If that throws up a red flag for anyone, I'd appreciate a holler.

[mykhal c]

agree with Mano for the most part. Q6600 is very dated at this point. but so is the rest of the Qxxx series...pretty much. IIRC Q6600 (which i still have as my DAW) has a lower FSB but higher cpu multiplier than the other Qxxx. and like you mentioned smaller L2 on the Q6600. BUT there is soooooo much headroom in the Q6600 that if that is where your budget really is then it's a very solid choice, no doubt. i've got my FSB OC'd to over 1700. temps are low...all is stable. Q6600...still a very good/excellent choice for a locked-in budget IMHO

[daeron80]

Placed the order. All from Newegg except the CPU from a reputable ebay seller. NIB Q9550 for only $30 more than the Q6600 I was going to get. ::rubbing hands together:: After reading stuff about 65 nm vs 45 nm Lithography, I was leaning toward the 6600, but the extra L2 cache is apparently so important to PT that it's worth giving up a little sturdiness. I just won't overclock too hard.

[daeron80]

One mistake I made was ordering the mobo "Open Box." I was warned that it might not include all accessories. Collossal understatement. It came with no accessories. I'm now having to dload the manual and all the little individual files that would have been on the installation CD, one by one. Then I'll have to unzip them one by one. (Wherever is that tearing-your-hair-out emoticon?)

No cables either, but I'm not sure whether a mobo should include them or not. Funny, the hard drives didn't either. So, it's a trip to Best Buy just to grab a couple SATA data cables before I can boot up. Do those usually come with a mobo or hard disk, or is it expected to have to buy them separately?

Anyways, if you're ever tempted to save $30 by buying an open box mobo, just slap yourself.