Looking back on an old journal entry, I saw that I hadn't updated by build log for the PC I'm using - deadly important to a comp-u-geek like me!

I finally moved over to Intel this January, building a machine around a Core 2 Duo e6600 I bought from a friend. It was always my intention to overclock the chip, and have had no difficulty in taking it to 3Ghz by only changing the FSB. Running on a DFI Lanparty p45 motherboard and cooled by an Arctic Freezer 7 pro, I'm pretty happy with performance right now, but I know the chip will clock to at least 3.2 should I need some extra headroom.

I knew I would be using Vista so I thought 4gb of RAM and a 64bit version would be the best way to go, and the Corsair XMS2 DDR2800 RAM I installed has proven quite overclockable, reaching around 980mhz.

For graphics horsepower, I'm using an ATi HD3870 512mb, which is the perfect match for my 19" widescreen monitor. Even Crysis has proved playable on maximum settings, a feat that proved impossible on the last build (admittedly this was to be expected, but it's still nice to finally play it the way it was intended).

Reusing my trusty X-FI xtreme music, DVD burner, 580w Hyper power supply and 500GB Hard Drive, I build the machine in my Antec 900 case in a few hours, spending extra time on cable management. Although I only have a 2nd generation 900, the two precut holes still proved very useful in hiding the mess of wires. Two UV cold cathodes now illuminate the motherboard, which has UV-reactive connectors.

The PC has been up and running for around a month now, and is proving 100% stable. I'm extra happy that I managed to balance the overclock with the fan speed of the freezer 7 pro, only spinning up when launching full 3D apps and idling around 45 degrees (centigrade).

As well as being my main work machine, handling image editing, web design and file hosting, the build now has enough grunt to handle editing HD video, allowing me much more creativity with my camera. Game-wise I've managed to keep most of my previous installs by being clever with partitions, and I've also added Fallout 3, STALKER clear sky, Dead Space, Red Alert 3 and Burnout Paradise to my collection - all of which the rig can play on ful settings.

NEW BUILD
Intel Core 2 Duo e6600 @3Ghz
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 pro
DFI Lanparty p45-t2rs PLUS motherboard
Corsair 2x2GB DDR2-800 RAM
ATi HD3870 512mb
Hitachi Desktstar 500GB SATAII Hard Drive
Creative X-FI Xtreme Music
Antec 900 case
Hiperpower 580w modular PSU