New Build, Initial planning

[angelkiller]

Ok, I'm starting my initial planning for a new system. I haven't upgraded in a while (still on a Q6600 based system) so I'm not really an expert on newer parts.

Right now I want to chose my platform, not individual parts. I want to decide on which CPU/chipset I want to go with and what graphics config to go with.

One thing to note is that I value silent computing very greatly. So I like to pick parts that are more efficient. That said, I love a 4GHz+ quad core overclocked multi-gpu rig just as much as the next guy.

My budget is around $1200 for everything, including a LCD, so keep that in mind. I can go over this if need be, but every dollar saved is... well... a dollar saved. Again, I'm not looking for exact parts right now.


My initial thoughts were to get an i5 750, P55 board and a single 5870.

• Should I go i7 9x0/X58 instead?
• GTX 460 SLI? Cooling and noise worry me.

Thanks.

 

[Mussels]

so you've already decided for Intel over AMD?


while the intel fanboys will come in saying performance is everything in just a few nanoseconds, AMD do have chips that are more power efficient, with better idling tech (cool n quiet works a lot better than speedstep, imo) - my system uses about 120W at idle, FYI,

 

[angelkiller]

Oh, I think I may have already sub-conciously made that choice.

I don't mean to be a fanboy. But from what I've read, I've found that Intel seems to have an edge in almost everything. At stock speeds both the Ci5 750 and Ci7 920 are faster than an Phemom II 965. To make matters worse, the 965 has a 400MHz+ clock speed advantage. At stock speeds, idle and load power consumption both favor Intel. Cost wise, the 965 definately has an advantage over the Ci7 9x0 series, but is pretty much equal the the i5 750, which is superior in performance and in power consumption, as previously mentioned. I'm getting most of this info from these two articles.

Intel seems the way to go from what I've read. Any more reasons why I should go AMD?

 

[brandonwh64]

To save money, AMD would be fine for gaming and such. Intel if you want that I7 feel but its totally your decision. I came from a Phenom II 965BE C3 chip to this I7 920 and i love every bit of it but thats just my opinion.

I have a Phenom II in my HTPC and it preforms great for games and such. Paired with a 8800GT G92 it will play a wide variety of games in 1080P

 

[Deleted member 74752]

If going the i5 route, I would recommend the 655 0r 670. They clock like the devil with less heat even on air. The 670 is what I use for my 24/7/gamer.

(Splave has a proven 655 available in the FS section for $150...maximum trust with him and his hardware. )

 

[brandonwh64]

JrRacinFan has a nice I3 setup hes selling CHEAP! you should PM him about it. you could always turn around and sell the I3 and get a I7 875

 

[angelkiller]

If going the i5 route, I would recommend the 655 0r 670. They clock like the devil with less heat even on air. The 670 is what I use for my 24/7/gamer.

Wayyy to expensive. The quad core i5 750 costs $194. The dual core 655K costs $209 and the 670 costs $300. Can't do that.

Don't mean to come off as harsh.

 

[Cja123]

I'm also looking to build a new rig for my apartment. I was thinking of going P55 like yourself, I'm going to follow this thread. Subscribed.

 

[brandonwh64]

Wayyy to expensive. The quad core i5 750 costs $194. The dual core 655K costs $209 and the 670 costs $300. Can't do that.

Don't mean to come off as harsh.

If thats expensive, then how do you plan on going X58? a used I7-920 is around 175 and up and a X58 board is over 150$

 

[Deleted member 74752]

Wayyy to expensive. The quad core i5 750 costs $194. The dual core 655K costs $209 and the 670 costs $300. Can't do that.

Don't mean to come off as harsh.

Check back at post #5....

 

[angelkiller]

If thats expensive, then how do you plan on going X58? a used I7-920 is around 175 and up and a X58 board is over 150$

I mean it's to expensive for what you get. I'm not going to buy a $200 dual core CPU when I can get a quad core CPU for $200. It's not worth it. Get what I'm saying?

Check back at post #5....

Looked at it. Looks like a good deal but:
1) I'm not ready to pull the trigger yet. (Need like a week)
2) Purely out of e-peen size, I don't see myself having a dual core CPU. There I said it.

 

[brandonwh64]

I mean it's to expensive for what you get. I'm not going to buy a $200 dual core CPU when I can get a quad core CPU for $200. It's not worth it. Get what I'm saying?

Oh ok, Well if i were you i would just get a used high clocking 920 from the FS threads and build around it.

 

[Deleted member 74752]

Speaking of "epeen"...try this with a 920 on air or water....

 

[angelkiller]

Oh ok, Well if i were you i would just get a used high clocking 920 from the FS threads and build around it.

But then that goes back to my original concerns... How does the i7 920 compare to the i5 750? Especially in terms of power consumption and performance.

I mean, I know the 750 uses noticeably less power and is like right under the 920 in performance. This is a good trade off to me. Why get the 920 over the 750?


It should be noted that I plan to get everything used. But that shouldn't change much, since all the prices will be proportionally less.

Speaking of "epeen"...try this with a 920 on air or water....

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq69/rickss69/ScreenHunter_03Mar061334.jpg

Uggh. You're making me want that REALLY BADLY!! Could I do that on good air cooling? (link pls )

Ok, so I could do a dual core, but has to clock like a motherfcker.

 

[brandonwh64]

The main notes on getting a X58 over a P55 is probably the Tripple channel ram, 16x16x8x crossfire and SLI or like with my board it will do 16x16 SLI and crossfire. i think P55 will only do 8x8x or 16x8x?

 

[angelkiller]

The main notes on getting a X58 over a P55 is probably the Tripple channel ram, 16x16x8x crossfire and SLI or like with my board it will do 16x16 SLI and crossfire. i think P55 will only do 8x8x or 16x8x?

But do those things really matter? I know I'll never have three graphics cards. I also know that I'll take a performance hit in a 2 card setup. But PCI-E 2.0 8x should be within 10% worst case of PCI-E 2.0 16x. Does tri-channel RAM help anything?

While I understand the advantages of the X58/920 route, I don't see how they would help me specifically.


My head is spinning right now. Thought this would be easier. If I'm being difficult and illogical, please tell me. (seriously)

 

[Deleted member 74752]

Not trying to sway you one way or another...just providing examples. I have every cpu known to man at my disposal from the 980X on down and I choose to use the i5 for my 24/7/gamer. Yes, you will be able to clock the i5 higher with less heat compared to a 920 regardless of cooling methods. If you require something that the i7 provides in your everyday use, then by all means go for it.

 

[brandonwh64]

Not trying to sway you one way or another...just providing examples. I have every cpu known to man at my disposal from the 980X on down and I choose to use the i5 for my 24/7/gamer. Yes, you will be able to clock the i5 higher with less heat compared to a 920 regardless of cooling methods. If you require something that the i7 provides in your everyday use, then by all means go for it.

Rick is right. the I5 is a great deal!

This is my 3dmark06, This is with my ATI settings on max in CCC

 

[JATownes]

IMHO for what it is worth, get the i5 if you are gaming. If you are benching and wanting high bench scores, go with the i7, as the triple channel and dual x16 will net higher scores. If you are just gaming, you won't notice any difference between i5 and i7. Just my 2 cents for what it is worth.

 

[Deleted member 74752]

^ Agreed...I left a 920 on my previous gamer and never looked back.

 

[Deleted member 74752]

Something else to mull over...For not too much money you can get a Silverstone HDDBoost and a small ssd for this build. You will like it for sure. Check out the results here... http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=127722.

 

[overclocking101]

with the cost from the 750 and 655k i suggest the 655. the 750 is a decnt chip but it will never oc as high as a clarkdale thats just a fact. a decent P55 board and some nice 1600mhz or higher ram and you looking at 4.5ghz 24/7 use and higher for benching most clarkdales will do 5ghz, mine has done 4.8 without even pushing it.

 

[Deleted member 74752]

Weeeeee! http://hwbot.org/community/submission/942469_rickss69_wprime_1024m_core_i5_670_5min_15sec_400ms

 

[erixx]

believe me or not, but my computer guru (computer security consultant of a major bank) has always said: intel chipsets FTW. I never listened. I have been on AMD and Nvidia chipsets for the last 10 years. I can only say one thing: there was always something broken, be it Bios, be it Raid, be it features...

Now finally I have a intel based board and I have not a single issue.... I will never go back unless something weird happens in the universe...

 

[Broom2455]

This will be interesting for me too. I'm considering going P55 i5 750 as well from the PC in my specs.
I eagerly await the results.
For information - sorry but AMD will not be considered