building new system... mobo help!!!

[iceman600]

im planning to build up my new system but i get stuck in finding the best mobo and cpu.

my first choice of mobo is XFX nForce 680i LT SLI

(http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... =P450-9102)

and i like a q6600 cpu.

but after reading some post here in LR i found out that 6/780i chipsets have trouble in ocing quad cores and its hot according to Fz1.

and i read the post of FZ1 building his sysstem with this ASUS MAXIMUS (SE). i like it...

Question:
1. how come he uses E6550 as his cpu insted of Q6600?
2. can i use Q6600 if i choose to get the asus maximus (se)
3. can i use a fan in cooling? coz im a newbi and dnt want to take risk using water cooling.

and if you have some suggestion in mobo pls do. im really stuck right now. cant decide wat mobo to buy. every mobo i checked have issues of something. need some help here!!!
thanks guys

[DMB2000uk]

I agree with Joe (FZ1) that 680/780 chipsets run hot compared to their Intel counterparts.

He is just using that CPU till the new dual core 8*00 series come out, then he plans to buy one of those.

For some Quad core isn't really needed yet as still not everything is multi threaded enough to make good use of it. Quads also run hotter than their dual core counterparts, and because of this are limited more in their maximum overclocks. But for others who don't upgrade their PC regularly, then quads are a better option for futureproofing. And for some, they are worth it because of heavy multi-threaded application use like video editing.

Yes the Q6600 will work in the maximus.

Feel free to use a fan based CPU cooler, the majority of people still do. Just be sure to buy a good aftermarket cooler to use (i.e. one better than the regular one intel gives you) so that it will run as cool as possible (especially if overclocking). You should look into getting the 'regular' version of that board that doesn't have the water pipe NB cooler preinstalled for best cooling of the board.

Dan

[iceman600]

so you think this is the best mobo for me?! coz if yes im getting it now!
do you think it wont give me headaches with this mobo?
im just gonna use it for gaming ussually and some photoshop and waching movies...

[martini161]

If you want to oc a quad then dont get a 680i chipset. get a p35 or x38. my 680i mobo cant get my quad over 1333 fsb even under water.