New computer, need help choosing CPU & GPU

[OrbitzXT]

I built a new computer about 2 weeks ago with the exact specs in my "System Specs". As you see I have a E6300 @2.8GHz and a 8800GTX. My 3DMark06 score is about 10750 and I now know after my purchase that my CPU, even decently overclocked, is bottlenecking my video card. Basically it was a waste of money to buy the GTX, because the GTS would get the same score with my CPU. People with better CPUs and the GTS outscore me, obviously this is my fault for not doing my research before hand. Long story short, I found someone who will buy my new computer for close to the price I paid, giving me a chance to start over.

So I'm analyzing 3DMark06 scores, using them to determine what configuration of parts would get me the most performance for my money. I'm not going solely based on them, but just as an aide and guideline. The top 06 score with the GTS is with a

"CPU:
Intel Core 2 3915 MHz
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU @ 2.66GHz"

I'm somewhat confused what overclocked processor this is. Is this the QX6700 or the Q6600? Even though the link on Futuremark's site leads me to the Q6600, I was thinking the 2.66 GHz is the clock of the QX6700. The Q6600 is about $500 less, and now the E6700 has a huge price drop at $337 on NewEgg.

I'm also confused about the information on Futuremarks site. It shows this...

Video Memory 512 MB 1024 MB

The 512 is mine, even though I have 768. The 1024 was someone with a high score. Is Futuremark just reading it wrong and I should assume 512 is 768 and 1024 is someone with 2 cards in SLI? Basically I'm looking to spend up to $2000, I want an 8800, GTS or GTX...unsure still. I would like a GTX if I get a good enough processor.

Last question, and I know I've asked a lot. But, the E6700 has a 10x multiplier. With my E6300, overclocking was simple, I just set the FSB to 400MHz and I had a nice stable 2.8GHz and stable 1:1 FSB : RAM ratio. Is it difficult for the E6700 to hit 4GHz with FSB at 400? I do not want water cooling, I was planning on using a Zalman 9700 as I have had a lot of cooling success with them in the past. How high can the 6700 overclock easily?

 

[Pinchy]

First and foremost, your current CPU is not bottlenecking your GPU. The only reason other people are getting higher scores than you with a worse GPU but better CPU is that 3dmark06 takes into consideration the CPU score a lot.

If you run a couple of games, im sure you will find that you will get a higher FPS, even with your worse processor, but better graphics card (UNLESS the game is heavily CPU dependent; for example if you add a ton of bots)

With the overclocking, the e6700 will OC a lot better than the e6300, due to the higher multi (doesnt have to have such a high FSB). BUT, it totally depends on the chip. Obviously, intel would use their "better" chips for their high range products (so they overclock better), but its not always the case. There is a guy on this forum who can OC his e6300 all the way to 3.9Ghz on air, and i have seen people with e6600's not getting that high.

 

[OrbitzXT]

Interesting information, I've run other benchmarks though. Counter Strike Source's, FEAR's and they all have the same out come with my GPU at stock and overclocked. But if I bench is twice with my CPU at stock 1.83GHz and overclocked at 2.80GHz the difference is night and day. Isn't this a clear indication of CPU bottlenecking? Right now I'm deciding between the E6600 and E6700 I think. The only difference I can see is a 9x multiplier vs. a 10x, and a $100 price difference. The E6600 is $234, E6700 about $330, and the Q6600 $540. My instinct tells me to go with the E6600 and I'll get a good overclock out of that and save myself $100. But as always I'm curious what others here think.

 

[Pinchy]

Well the higher the multi the better, but i reckon its not worth the upgrade unless you are moving to quad core.

Did you really get a huge difference in FEAR with an overclocked CPU? I know CSS gets a huge increase with an OC'd CPU (from experience), although i never got much of an increase in FEAR.

What kind of increases are you getting in CSS and FEAR with and without OC? See, with my old computer (had a P4 3Ghz and a geforce MX440), i always got a huge difference in CS:S when i upped the CPU from 3 to 4Ghz. Now by your logic that means that the MX440 was being bottlenecked by a 3Ghz P4 (which is really unlikely )

Hope that clears it up a bit