I need some help in selecting a fan for my CPU.

This is what I'm going with in a build, I won't really be overclocking but figured might as well add a decent fan.

ASUS P5Q Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P45 Intel Motherboard
Using a Q6600 for CPU
Case Antec P182

I was like minutes from placing my order for all the stuff for my first build and had settled on this CPU fan.

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler

So as a final review started looking at the reviews on newegg before I placed my order and it looks like a fair number of folks had problem putting it in. Figure as a first time builder with no support (like no friends that know how to do it) that I could find a fan that was easier to install.

Also a general question, how much stuff do you put on the MOB before putting it in the case?
Like is it easier to put CPU,FAN and Mem in and than install it in case or do you risk more damage that way?

I have the ASUS P5Q Pro, Q6600 and that cooler. Others have had much more success than I have with the cooler but my experience has been disaterous. You might consider grabbing an AC7 pro along with that, test them both and keep whichever nets the best results, and return the other.

Top 5 performing heatsinks:
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

Thanks for the suggestion but I need something that's dummy proof for installation, that's equal to performance.
So if you have suggestion in that area..

Since me and you have the same board I can help you out there as far as the Xigmatek goes. If you go with that cooler, put it in first, then attach the fan to it, then put in your RAM. It will be near impossible to put the fan on with the RAM in there, hell its near impossible to attach the fan regardless. Also that heatsink comes stock with pushpins which apparently do not work well with that heavy cooler, so I bought the mounting bracket, another $6. The AC7 has pushpins but they work very well.

Just buy the Q6600 retail and use the stock fan. It's $210 instead of the $195 OEM, but you don't need to buy an aftermarket cooler.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115017

OK, if you really want an aftermarket cooler, buy the Q6600 OEM and add an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115018
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186134
Save $15 on the CPU, spend $27 on the Freezer.

Edit: I'm a big fan of the Xigmatek, but if you don't overclock it's a complete waste of money. Seriously, don't bother.

Yes yes......to aevm you listen.

Applying a heatsink is never dummy proof.

But aevm is right about the Artic Cooling product. In fact, he's usually right

Intel's current stock fan is horrible. It's half the size of the stock fan that comes with the old P4, and runs hot even at stock. Pathetic. It's a bad idea to run 65nm quad off that stock fan. Why would anyone pay $15 for it?

Besides, retail q6600s are all high VID.

My OEM Q6600 has a VID of 1.3, which is like...the highest I believe, close enough. Ive managed to sucessfully stress it for 24 hours at 1.275 at stock but never tried anything lower. Its at tthe stock 1.3 right now with my 3.0 OC, im preety positive it wont run at any decreased voltage.

1.325 is the highest VID for q6600, 1.2125 is lowest.

I have to advise you to avoid the Zalman cnps9700 nt.
On my Q9450@3.4ghz it does not even lower my CPU one degree below the stock fans temps.
I was getting really good temps using the intel stock fan and heatsink with a well ducted case.

@OP:
AFAIK the VID is random, you're not guaranteed a better one or a worse one whether you buy OEM or retail. OK, maybe there is a conspiracy and I haven't heard about it yet Anyway, it's not that important when you don't overclock.

She's right. Since OEM + AC7 Freezer is only $12 more, I'd pay it.
Here's a review:
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=3210&p=1

Edit:
My VID according to CoreTemp is 1.275, and I got a Q6600 G0 OEM. I guess it's right in the middle of the range.

Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme +Scythe S-Flex SFF21F(fan)+OCZ Freeze Extreme(TIM)