New entry level gaming pc build

[Zico]

Originally Posted by dirtydog

The stock cooler is perfectly adequate unless you are going for a major overclock.

My Q6600 when modestly overclocked 25% to 3GHz runs at about 45c idle and 60-65 full load with the stock cooler and that is well within comfortable limits for the chip. And being 65nm and a quad it is one of the hottest Core2 chips I think.

Are you planning to buy the Scan pre-built system? Because won't changing the cooler void your warranty? Also bear in mind 775 coolers are an absolute bitch to fit and remove. When I changed chips I had to take the board out, there was no other way of fitting the cooler.

Buying Q9550 parts.

If the stock HSF is likely to deal with a low clock then I won't bother with after market. Not looking to go wild with it (maybe 3.4Ghz as per Divine's clock).

[dirtydog]

Originally Posted by Zico

Buying Q9550 parts.

Good decision

If the stock HSF is likely to deal with a low clock then I won't bother with after market. Not looking to go wild with it (maybe 3.4Ghz as per Divine's clock).

After looking into this out of curiosity it seems the 45nm quads have a smaller cooler than the older quads like I've got, so in that case it might well be advisable to get a 3rd party cooler now. Especially as it will be easier to fit it out of the case.

[divine]

I'm using the Fenrir on mine, virtually silent under load at 3.4GHz, temps not broken 60 yet. It is HUGE though, so worth checking it will fit in the case.

The Akasa 965 is a very good value cooler also and will cope with 3.4GHz I would have thought, might be a touch noisier.