The next step is to choose the processor and the memory (next pay day!!). I’m stuck between the Q6600 and the Q9450. Reading the reviews the 6600 is an excellent overclocker, but the 45nm core of the 9450 does better. The down side of the 9450 is the 1333MhHz bus speed, which does not seem to leave to much room for increase here. Will the mobo take overclock from the rated 1333 maximum? If so, it may be worth the extra dosh for the extra lifespan this chip will give. Likewise what is the best memory, 5300, 6400 or 8500?

 I’m going to be trying my hand at overclocking, but I’ll try it out on this old rig first.

 Once again, thanks for the help and I hope someone out there will be willing to carry on with the process.

 Aremjay.

I’ve made the ‘giant’ step of buying the case, a Jeantec Phong II, due to the reasonable write ups as a top hardware choice in the mid-tower class.

From now on it gets technical. As this will be an “as cash is available” project, I’ll be buying the least time sensitive parts first, so my next move wil be the PSU. I’ve been looking at the Enermax Galaxy range, but I hav not made up my mind yet (see my forum begging for advice). I’m looking at including Quad core Intel CPU, SLI mobo, and the best mid-range graphics available at the time of purchase (but these are going to be the last bits bought). For storage I’m considering some solid state drives for normal use and a large SATA II drive (or two in mirrored RAID) as main data storage. As far as RAM goes, the choice between DDR2 & DDR3 will be made as I buy the mobo depending on the price at the time.

All for now, back to thinking and (hopefully) considering advice from the experienced ones out there.