The rig I have in my sig seems to be slowly dying (XFX says the SATA controller is bad); and as it isn't under warranty I have a decision to make. Should I keep my Q6600 and get a new motherboard, or get a socket 1366 system to last through the rest of college? Here are the options I've currently come up with so far. Socket 775 Upgrade Gigabyte GA-EP45T-USB3P for $140 OCZ Gold 8GB DDR3 for $190 Total:$337.85 after shipping and handling Socket 1366 Upgrade 1 i7 930 for $290 Asus P6X58D-E for $215 G Skill 6GB DDR3 for $134 Total: $614.98 with combo deal Socket 1366 Upgrade 2 i7 930 for $290 Asus Rampage III Gene for $240 G Skill 6GB DDR3 for $134 Total: $639.98 with combo deal All of them have USB3, but the P6X58D-E and Rampage III Gene also have SATA III which will be useful for the future; especially if I buy the C300 256GB that I have my eye on!
"to get through college" would suggest 'just' a new mobo to continue supporting what is still a great cpu in the q6600. However, if you have the cash spare, investing in a i7-930, given the seemingly paucity of what Intel are planning to offer in the near future, could be a good investment.
I should have phrased that better, I'm hoping to keep it longer than just through college (2 more years); but that will be the minimum amount of time I'll be keeping it.
The problem with SATA-III on current motherboards is that it is fairly slow. If youreally want that a PCI-E add on card will work much better.
I'd just get the new mobo and RAM for your Q6600. As a side note, I wouldn't bother with 8GB of RAM. These are $75 after a mail-in rebate, and will knock your upgrade price down to just over $200. They're also i5/i7 compatible (voltage of 1.65V), so they'll easily carry over to your next build.
I would also stay with the Q6600. It's quad, quite overclockable, what more do you need? If it's G0 you can go much further than 3GHz. This CPU is quite durable and can handle some overvolting, but you must provide a good cooling. And what about 4GB G.Skill? They have produced fastest 2GB DDR2 sticks ever (F2-9600) and 4GB should be enough for an average user. I would get a second hand s775 (p45 or x48) with ddr2 for about 50 quid max and wait for Intel next step regard s1366 platform.
Firstly im assuming that the SATA controller is not dead and is working "(XFX says the SATA controller is bad); ". So if it is still working there is no need to get another motherboard. But if it isnt working properly or if it stops working you should get another motherboard. There is another option. But im not sure about it. You should ask someone. I saw some SATA controller cards on the internet. If if it possible to use them you can manage with them. but as i said earlier pls ask someone about it. And as for your computer, if you think that that PC is ok for your work keep it. Its still a very good PC. The Q6600 and the LGA 775 platform is ok even at present. But it all depends on whether you need a powerful PC or not. And if 4GB of RAM is insufficient for you, upgrade it. But befor buying check whether you need 8 GB or such expensive RAM cards. And if you can solve the SATA controller issue it wont be necessary to upgrade to an i7. You will manage for another 2 years.
Keep the Q6600. We'll see the next round of chips early next year. That SATA controller is a excellent idea.
replace the motherboard, keeping the Q6600 Your at college, and the beer/girl fund needs all it can get!
