New mobo and CPU

[Wii]

Chirstmas is coming soon and I am unhappy with my AMD Athlon 64 x2 4800+ in FSX...
I am thinking of upgrading to the Intel Q6600 and leaving AMD behind because it is better for gaming. The only problem with this is that there are a handful of Micro ATX (max size for my case unless I buy a new one and that is a bit out of the budget as I am pushing it as it is lol
CPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

3 Mobos...

Intel (doesn't look that good from the reviews...)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121355
Intel (Looks decent)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121357
Asus (Fits what I need)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131336

Opinions? Experience with any of these or the Q6600? Nick!?

[Wii]

Also, can anyone advise some good RAM?

This looks good and it's 30 bucks!!!! 8-)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267

[NickN]

I have never used any of the micro boards however the last one should do 400MHz in a clock which will place the Q6600 at 3.6GHz

If you wish to maximize that clocks ability then you need good DDR2 1066 memory and of course setting up 800 or 1066 memory and a clock means manual settings.. the motherboard is not going to run the memory at the correct speed on 'auto'



1066 for best perf is going to be either

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820146789

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145197


and you will need a good CPU cooler installed to clock the Q6600

the OCZ Vendetta 2 is what I would suggest


If you can not afford the ones I posted be aware the DDR2 800 sticks you posted can have fit issues becasue of the heatsinks on them. Some towers are too tight to allow them to fit with the CPU HSF or video card.. I cant tell you if the parts you are looking at or have now will be a problem with those sticks

[Wii]

I've changed my mind a bit here, I don't think I will get the Q6600 or the new mobo (budget won't allow...) so I think I will go for something cheaper...
maybe new RAM and a better CPU cooler for OC'ing my athlon 64 x2 4800? You're right, it probably wouldn't fit in my case as I have a very small case.
My (current) motherboard's max for RAM is DDR2 800 (PC2-6400)
I currently have 3gbs (2x1gb and 2x512mb sticks) PC2-5300 RAM and my CPU is at 2.5GHz. Will overclocking the CPU (with the help of a new fan) and getting new RAM help me out in FSX any? If not I won't bother.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

I have not gone looking for fans yet so if you know of any good ones let me know!


Thanks