Advice on mobo upgrade?

Good Morning All,
Recently upgraded my RAM and tried to overclock my CPU. OCing the CPU (Q6600) didn't seem to be a problem but the RAM (Corsair 2x2GB TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF) won't run at 1066 at all on my mobo. I just get BSODs.
I've turned the RAM down to 1050 and this gives me one BSOD and then boots and runs ok. I've got the Q6600 at 2.7.
I'm not happy with this so I've decided I need a mobo upgrade plus a better case (I don't need that, just deserve it lol)
My local PC guru recommends the Asus P5Q Pro (currently got P5N-E SLI) and I can afford that along with a Coolermaster Cosmos S.
I've looked at the P5Q Deluxe and it doesn't really seem worth the half as much again I'd have to pay. I'm happy with my current GPU (BFG 8800 GTS OC 512) although I might go for a top end ATI when they come down in price.
But basically the P5Q Pro seems to have what I need and is supoosed to be a wicked overclocker.
Does anyone have any experience with this board? I notice it only has 8 phase power rather than 16. Not really sure what that means but is it a problem?
I'd be glad of any comments/advice
Think I'd better buy this quick before my credit card becomes a piece of plastic lol
Best wishes to all. John

I've got 8 gigs of the same ram running at 1066 on my P5Q Deluxe, don't see why 4 wouldn't run just fine for you on the P5Q Pro.

That's one of the reasons I got the Asus board. I'm not an Asus fanboy, but I read they will will often run all ram slots at faster than 800 where other boards don't, and so far it hasn't disappointed me.

Whatever you do however, don't install their crappy software. It doesn't like x64 much.

I like the Cosmos S, wish I'd gotten that instead of the 1000 at times, thought the 1000 is a lot quieter. I'm going to see if I can snag the mobo tray from the S and put it in my 1000, as I've stumbled into beta testing a lot of CPU coolers lately and it's a pain in the ass to take the mobo out all the time. I think the S has a cutout so you don't have to remove the mobo. Maybe I can convince them to send me one

for one.. if your RAM is not running at the spec'd speed. try turning up the Memory's voltage in the BIOS.. the box should say what they need to run at 1066.

so those are the dominators right?? they need 2.2volts to run at that speed. I'd make sure thats where it's set in your BIOS.. if it's not try turning it up to 2.2volts then try again.

Thanks to you both,
I might try the changes you recommend Gunther but hopefully I'm gonna be having major PC surgery this Sunday and should be up and running with a new mobo and fancy new case by the middle of next week. I'll then be bothering everyone with posts about voltages and timings no doubt.
Sergeant Baxter. You have the P5Q Deluxe. I looked at that and though that I would not really use the extra functionality so I'll save a bit of money with the Pro.
However , as I said the Deluxe has 16 phase power whilst the Pro has only 8. I don't really know what this means but if it makes a great deal of difference I could splash out the extra. What's your view?
Thanks for your help,J

PS noticed you have a Wave keyboard. i think they're great, you happy with yours?

Google the difference of 16 and 8 phase.. you'll find out from that.

Hi Gunther. No not really. I googled it and only got three real hits as in forums about pc mobos (the rest were about AC). one said that 16 phase would overclock quad core chips better or at least prolong their life. This would be because it would deliver power more smoothly with less heat generated. The other two said it was marketing hype and there was no difference in real terms. Off to bed now I try and investigate some more tomorrow night, John

The 16 phase power is really more for the ASUS EPU engine than anything else. It delivers a smoother transition between idling and ramping up to power, and delivers a more stable current at lower power levels.

However, the EPU does not work with overclocking. So, if you're overclocking there's really zero reason to get the board based on 16 phase power. You're not likely to see a difference anyway, diminishing returns.

When I was looking at boards originally I was interested in the X48 Rampage Formula, but that doesn't have ExpressGate or DriveXpert and costs a lot more. Then they released the P5Q Deluxe, so I jumped on it. Then as it turns out I really don't use either feature, could have saved $50 and gotten the pro.

It is a great board though, esp if you're running overclocked RAM. Just watch out for their crappy software as I mentioned. And just a correction, the "stock" voltage for the Dominators is 2.1V.

Thanks very much for that SgtBaxter, that clinches it really and confirms what I'd been moving toward thinking so I'll go for the Pro and put the money I save toward an LG GGC-H20L Blu-ray reader and DVD/CD burner.
Thanks for your time, John

Thats what I want.. a bluRay burner.

Good luck with new CPU, and Motherboard. Pleasr post along the way. and maybe some pictures. I just added more to the Show us your Rig section. check em out!

Hi Gunther. The LG model I'm referring to doesn't burn Blu Ray (see my other post)
This one:

LG GGW-H20L Blu-Ray Rewriter & HD-DVD ROM Serial ATA Drive - OEM

is getting good press but costs £150, more than twice as much.
I'll stick with the player for now although a burner would be nice. They'll be cheaper in a year no doubt.
Does anyone know whether my Thermaltake Golden Orb CPU cooler will fit on the P5Q Pro?
Best wishes,J

it should. Google it. but most coolers that say they fit socket 775 should fit on almost all boards.

Hi Folks, Got my "new" rig and it's enormous. The Cosmos S looks huge compared to my previous Thermaltake Tsunami. I have injured my back carrying it up 3 flights of stairs and it's got so many fans it sounds like a helicopter landing.
Serously though, it is very noisy in comparison for anyone thinking of getting one. I suspect the guy who performed the operation used a cheap fan on the rear and I might swap that out for a quieter one at some point.
Looks are a matter of taste but it is really big and machine like against the subtle curves of the Tsunami.
Thing is it runs very cool and the P5Q Pro is handling everything well so I'm happy. Next thing I'd like to try a moderate overclock on my Q6600- say about 3.0 or 3.2 Ghz.
Can anyone point me at a a good post with instructions for this?
I'll post a pic when I get round to taking one. Right now I'm in awe of it's sheer size.
Best wishes, John:D

ps. Gunther, the LG GCC reader/drive works really well. I've been able to buy some cheap HD DVD movies from Amazon and they look fantastic also it burns CDs and DVDs very fast. J

Hi, johnwillyums, Take alook at this post if you haven't already. There is a link to a great o/c how-to that you should read.http://www.vistax64.com/overclocking-cooling/186050-how-overclock-my-p5w-dh-deluxe.html#post859228

Hi NormCameron,
Thanks very much for that. It looks like just what I need. I'm working long hours this week so will probably give it a try this weekend. I'm hoping for just a modest OC on my Q6600 to about 3.0Ghz and from what I read that seems to be quite stable etc.
Thanks and best wishes, john:D

.

3.0ghz is great. Thats my thoughts. I did run into overheating problems with standard cooling. Not melt -the-solder stuff, but just hotter than I was comfortable with. You'll definitely need to do something with your CPU cooler.

Hello again NormCameron. I've got this Thermaltake Golden Orb on the CPU and the Cosmos S has a 200mm fan on the side plus 4 120mm dotted around. I keep expecting it to take off and float around the room. Should be enough shouldn't it?
Cheers, J:D

You so right. Shouldn't tell a pro how to suck eggs. Can't help old habits. Please keep me updated. I'm still to get serious and would like to follow your progress.

Hardly a pro mate. Just squeezing my credit card before the capitalist armageddon renders it a piece of pointless plastic in my pocket.

Hi Folks.
Well I'm very pleased with my P5Q Pro and have now managed an overclock to just over 3.0Ghz on my Q6600.
All seems well but I'm worried about my temps. Core Temp tells me I'm idling at 50c and I've just been browsing and emailing for about an hour and a half and I'm running in the high 60s.
Yesterday I played Crysis Warhead for about 45 minutes and was at around 78-80c on all 4 cores.
This is obviously too high. I was hoping my Thermaltake Golden Orb would handle but it appears not unless it's been remounted incorrectly.
I've looked at the Tuniq Tower and a couple of Asus coolers plus this Xigmatek fan/water hybrid thing and either the Asus Silent Square Evo or the Tuniq Tower look favourite.
I think I need to act fast or drop the OC. Any advice/suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks and best wishes, John

Guntherc is your man. My advice, for the short term is drop the OC quick. Those temps are way over the top and if your like me, the cost of not doing so would pretty well kill my budget. I found much the same with my OC. (Q6600). I used an Asus Lion Square cooler that just wouldn't do it, despite all it's specs, and the reviews. I think the Q6600 is a HOT little beastie and needs some fairly sophisticated stuff to cool it. Thats why I think you need to talk to Cory. He has the know-how.