Designer with Questions

[Direct D]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 2 weeks

BUDGET RANGE: ~$1500 (including shipping, without including mail in rebates)

System Usage: Digital illustration (Illustrator/Photoshop), A fair amount of 3D modeling/rendering (3D Studio Max, Alias, Rhinoceros 3D), Gaming (Bioshock, LFD2, and other steam games) with concerns of power and noise from the system.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitors (20" LCDs), Keyboard and mouse, Speakers, Case

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg
OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: no

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'm unsure about some of the parts listed below, namely the CPU, PSU, and MOBO. It's been about 4 years since I've built a computer.


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CPU: Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115202
or
Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214

How much does the triple channel memory of the Bloomfield gain vs the on-die memory controller of the Lynnfield?


PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650HX 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012
or
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Which is the better power supply and is 650 overkill?

MOBO: ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614
or
ASUS P7H57D-V EVO LGA 1156
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131624
or
GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P LGA 1156
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128409

Are the Asus the better option for USB 3.0 on the motherboard then Gigabyte?

CPU FAN: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145242
or
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145285

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185

GPU: XFX HD-585A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150442

CD DRIVE: ASUS Black 24X DVD+R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758


MISC:
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835100007

Thanks in advance for any advice that you can provide!

 

[frozenlead]

The i7 920 is a bit more adept at workstation-class computing than the i5, so I would go with that. Your power supplies are exactly the same unit, except one has modular cables, which make the inside of your case easier to cable. Your choice on which one you want. I would rather spend less and have to deal with one or two more cables.

DDR3 1600 memory is a waste if you're not going to be overclocking - which, considering the impressive overclocking margins (combined with how easy it is to push the 920), I suggest you reconsider your position on it.

If you want USB 3.0 now, the Asus is an exceptional board, though expensive. If you don't use external drives and aren't shifting files around external components alot, you may be better off with a P6T or P6T deluxe.

There's meager differences between the professional version of Windows and the home premium version. If you want to save a little, go for the home premium.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

We've had similar posts in the past.

Intel plus recent articles here at Tom's Hardware and other sites make it simple.

The Intel Core i7 920, socket 1336 cpu has the edge when it comes to gaming. There is absolutely no doubt about it. The majority of posters here are gamers and enthusiasts.

The Intel Core i7 860, socket 1156 cpu has the edge when it comes to mainstream applications, especially for graphics design, engineering design, professional digital imaging, and video processing. There is no doubt about that either.

The current sweet spot for the mainstream applications you will be using is DDR3 1600, low voltage, memory designed for use with with the new Intel cpu's.

The applications you will be using are cpu and memory intensive rather than video intensive.

Over a two month period I read every article I could find, poured over test results & benchmarks, and exchanged information with other verteran posters. At the bottom of this post is a list of components I selected for professional work. There was one exception where I strayed from the consensus of opion. I selected the Asus Sabertooth 55i motherboard because it is supposed to be a rugged, heavy duty board that will last for quite a while and there were no known compatibility issues. I'll be the first to admit the 55i does not have all of the features that other boards might have. The extra features are not anything that I will be using.

 

[frozenlead]

I wouldn't say there's no doubt about it - I've never seen any benchmark with a significant advantage toward either core. There's a lot of fluff in the mix due to OCing, turbo boost settings, yadda yadda, that really make the definitive proof skew.

DDR3-1600 memory provides no significant advantage in mainstream/workstation applications:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-scaling-i7,2325-8.html
Overclocking changes the game a bit, as the article states.

You may also want to consider switching to an Nvidia-branded card for CUDA capability, though this depends on your applications' support of the feature. Just something to look into.

At any rate, the 860 and the 920 will both serve well, but, with either, I still suggest you take another look at overclocking. You can really crank out much more from the chips than what the stock speeds can produce.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

frozenlead

I am familiar with that article.

1. The test platform for that article was an Intel Core i7 975 system. There is no mention in that article of an Intel Core i7 920 system or an Intel Core i7 860 system. The tests were designed to benchmark memory scaling. There are in fact articles comparing and benchmarking Core i7 860 and Core i7 920 with mainstream professional applications. The difference usually shows up during tedious rendering processes.

2. The test platform used 6GB of Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600, 1.65 volt, triple channel memory for all tests. Since the test platform was a Core i7 975 system , there was never any testing of DDR3 1600, 1.35 volt, dual channel memory for the Core i7 860.

3. I do understand that the results in that article were not overwhelming. There's no doubt about that. I did use the phrase "slight edge".

4. The article clearly stated that based on the test results the 1600 memory was not worth the higher price. The article was published last June and the information was correct at the time.

Currently the price at newegg.com for the specific 6GB used in the article is $219.99. That works out to $36.67 per GB.

The current price for 8GB of DDR3 1600, 1.35 volt memory I selected is $229.98. That works out to $28.75 per GB. I actually bought it for less two days before Christmas.

How does that compare to the current price of DDR3 1300 memory? I may need your help here matching the memory. The latency and timings tend to throw things out of whack. Newegg does not show any Corsair Dominator DDR3 1300 triple channel memory so I looked at the XMS series. I came closer to matching the G.Skill memory I selected.

Intel Core i7 920:
Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600 = $36.67 per GB
Corsair XMS DDR3 1300 = $32.50 per GB

Intel Core i7 860:
G.Skill ECO DDR3 1600 = $28.75 per GB
G.Skill ECO DDR3 1300 = $27.50 per GB

I had difficulty finding DDR3 1300 equivalents of the DDR 1600 so I may be off. In addition prices fluctuate. There may also be bargain sales or special promotions. I got lucky during the Christmas sales. I also do not mean to imply that memory for an Intel Core i7 860 is cheaper than a 920. It's just the memory I selected for my system.

 

[Direct D]

Thanks for the replies, the adive was very helpful with the power supply and the memory speed cost savings.

I am favoring the i7-860 platform as the performance difference between the 2 platforms do not warrant the extra money for the motherboard that can be put to another 4 gigs of RAM.

Only the Adobe suite supports multi-core processors and the rest of the versions of software should take advantage of the higher Turbo of the i7 860 when using 1 core.

For windows, I need the xp mode for a few older programs I can not afford to upgrade right now.

If I do overclock these processors, how much more power and cooling will I need as I want to try and keep the PC as quite as possible.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The programs you mention favor the 1366 platform.

Are the Asus the better option for USB 3.0 on the motherboard then Gigabyte?

Yes....see THG article on that very subject in MoBo section
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/usb-3.0-performance,2490.html

The 650 is fine as far as power....no need for an HX series if you're not overclocking or using twin GFX cards. The Antec Earthwatts is comparable to the TX and issame price but w/ Antec, no MI Rebate to mess with.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

Hard Drives - Check out the performance charts and pick whatever 500 GB per platter drive performs best under your usage patterns. The WD Black 2 TB is a good choice but at smaller capacities, you are limited to the Seagate 7200.12 or the Spinpoint F3. The 7200.12 excels in gaming, multimedia and pictures whereas the F3 wins at music and movie maker. See the comparisons here (copy past link in manually, link won't work in forum):

(http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2009-3.5-desktop-hard-drive-charts/compare,1006.html?prod[2371]=on&prod[2770]=on),

Look at the tests that reflect your usage and choose accordingly.

Pick a HS from the top 3 here:
ttp://www.silentpcreview.com/Recommended_Heatsinks
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm#INTELHEATSINK
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=371&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=15

pick a TIM from the top few here:
http://www.hwreviewlabs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64%3Amega-44-thermal-paste-round-up&catid=32%3Around-ups&Itemid=47&limitstart=3
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermal-interface-roundup_10.html#sect1
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=3

I'd choose the prolimatech megahalems at the $60-70 price point or the Xigmatek S1283 at the $30-40 price point. My fav TIM of the moment is IC Diamond 7 karat

Note: Artic Silver takes 200 hours to cure.

 

[Direct D]

From stock settings right now the 1366 performance edge for me may not help if I go with the 8gigs of RAM with the P55 860 setup. Seeing if I can live without the Asus x86 motherboard with USB 3.0.

Thanks for all the cooling links and think I will go with the prolimatech megahalems cooler recommended.

Will be going with the Samsung F3 1tb drive.

Does the i7 920 run hotter then the i7 860 will with the new cooler?

 

[JohnnyLucky]

When equipped with a third party cpu heatsink such as the Megahalem, the core temps for the 920 and the 860 are about equal. As always individual results will vary.

BTW - Do you actually have a USB3.0 device? The transition from USB 2.0 to 3.0 is going to be a very slow process.

 

[frozenlead]

Even the 212 is an excellent cooler (though not compared to the other suggested coolers). Running your CPU overclocked really won't make your machine that much louder, though the heat will rise a bit. Depends a lot on your ambient air temperature, actually.

And, as I think JohnnyLucky is trying to suggest, if you don't have any USB 3.0 devices (or the bank roll to purchase them, considering they'll be expensive for a while) you may want to skip the 3.0-supporting board in favor of a cheaper one for now. You can always add in a PCIe 3.0 card when they're out and cheap.