Hey guys

System specs:
- Q6600 G0 stepping CPU @ 2.4ghz
- Asus P5N-D mobo
- EVGA 9800gtx+ (oced 802/1944/1242) GPU
- 8GB DDR2 800mhz RAM
- 550W PSU (http://www.compucase-hec.co.uk/mainpages/product_detail.asp?pid=62)

I would like to ask your advice on overclocking and/or upgrading my current system

I am looking at purchasing a Xigmatek Hdt-S1283 air cooler to overclock the q6600 processor. Note that I have never overclocked a CPU or installed a heatsink before. I am also unsure of the quality of my PSU and if it can withstand a modest overclock. I have a few options, please give me your advice.

1. Leave system spec as is
2. Leave system spec as is, overclock q6600 on stock cooler to 2.7ghz (9x300) set ram ratio to 4:3
3. Buy Xigmatek cooler and overclock q6600
4. Buy Xigmatek and new PSU

Also Does anyone have any experience with the P5N-D mobo, does it overclock well? (I have heard mixed reports)

Thankyou very much

The first thing you should do is get a new, better PSU. Yours only has 18A on the +12V rails. Get a Corsair or another good brand with a minimum of 30A, preferably higher. Then get the Xgimatec cooler and overclock your cpu. You should easily get 3.2Ghz (8*400). That way your ram is a 1:1 and 800Mhz. You could probably push your cpu even higher if you wanted. But as I said, get a better psu first.

Go with option 4. Get the cooler and a good PSU. It's going to be hard to overclock if your PSU fluctuates. The more stable the PSU, the better you will be able to overclock. You would be fine with your RAM if you run a 1:1 with the FSB. Overclocking your CPU to around 3.0 GHz should be fine, but you should be able to go a little over that easily.

Cheers for the feedback guys, much appreciated. I was looking at Corsair, ocz etc psu's at around the 750 watt mark (SLI proof) and they were around eighty to one hundred pounds. Are PSU's easy to install for someone who hasn't done so before and would a good PSU last a long time?

Thanks for the help

A psu is pretty simple to install. Simply unplug the current psu's wires and remove the 4 screws mounting it to the case and remove it. Then put in the new psu and plug in the wires. They will only plug in one way so you really can't screw it up. And a quality brand 750W psu should last you many years. As long as you're not running it at or above it's rated maximum output, you have little to worry about. The PC Power & Cooling 750W is an excellent psu.

What do you feel is lacking with your current system?

If you have some money to spend on it, I would suggest a second monitor. The bigger the better. A second monitor is incredibly useful. a 1920x1200 24" monitor is great for games. A 30" 2540x1600 is even better.