Phenom II X6 1055T vs Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition

[David92680]

I am looking to purchase a new machine because my current machine died on me. I do a lot of photoshop, video editing and AutoCAD work and hardly play any game. I want a really fast machine that has a SATA raid, a couple PCI slots and will work with my ATi x1950 crossfire video card.

I am stuck on what chip I should go with. Do I get a x4 chip with a faster speed or should I get x6 that is slower but able to multi task better. From what I have read online AutoCAD only uses 50% of a multi core setup. The other thing is that this machine needs to last for a couple of years.

I need some help deciding what direction I should go in. The motherboard I am looking at is the GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3

 

[WR2]

How about getting the Phenom II X6 1055T and overclocking it to 3.4Ghz?
You'll have six cores for video editing and 3.4Ghz speed for Photoshop and AutoCad.

 

[WR2]

Here is a review of the X6 1055T overclocking ability and includes a Phenom II X6 Overclocking HowTo guide.

 

[David92680]

I have not done any over clocking in over 10 years. would you recommend any changes to the components that I have chosen for my new machine. The memory I was looking at is the CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB). What do you think? Can I over clock with the stock heat sink or do I need to upgrade to something better?

 

[David92680]

How is that board for over clocking? Do you think I will have any problem using that board to over clock the 1055T?

 

[WR2]

You can likely go from 2.8Ghz to 3.4Ghz with the stock cooler.
But I think you (and your CPU) would both benefit with an aftermarket CPU cooling solution. Just to keep the CPU nice and cool.
I've seen more than a few reports of reaching 3.6Ghz without need to increase CPU voltages.

What have you picked out for a case? We can find you a good CPU cooler to go with the other parts.
You have a link to the Corsair XMS3 ram?

 

[David92680]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260

The link above is to the memory I am looking at and I already have a Thermaltake Armor Extreme Edition VA8004BWS Black case from my previous machine. It has a 1000 watt thermaltake power supply

 

[WR2]

The reviews of GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3 show its good at Phenom X6 overclocking.
It has a feature called EasyTune 5 that uses motherboard utility software for mild overclocking if you want to get started doing it that way.
The 'old school' BIOS tweaking (as explained the Xbit OC'ing guide will get you the best possible performance from OC'ing.

You case is big enough for one of the big 120mm fan CPU coolers. Here are a selection:
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 / Sunbeam Core-Contact Freezer CPU Cooler / COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
I'll get you some reviews of those coolers to take a look at.

Here is a picture of the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 sitting on a GIGABYTE 890GX motherboard

From the Phenom II X6 1090T and 1055T Six-Core Processor Review @ Legit Reviews

 

[WR2]

Xigmatek HDT-S1283 Exposed Heatpipe Base Heatsink Review
Sunbeamtech Core-Contact Freezer Heatsink Review
Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus Socket 1156 Heatsink Review

I did find a slight upgrade to your RAM for just $5 more: CORSAIR XMS3 4GB DDR3 1600 kit C8 Cas Latency 8 rating vs Cas 9 in the other kit.
The NewEgg customer ratings are a bit higher too.

 

[David92680]

Thanks for helping me pick out the right chip for me along with finding me the great deal on a better set of memory. I think what I might do is stick with the stock heat sink for a little bit and then order the Coolermaster Hyper 212 from Amazon because its half the price then the one new egg has.

 

[WR2]

If you want to save yourself the trouble of taking the motherboard out of the system after you've put it all together - it's probably a good idea to jump on that bargain at Amazon now.

 

[WR2]

Be sure to let us know how things go with your build.

 

[David92680]

just noticed that Amazon said that it will ship within one to two months. Might go with something else just to get it done right away rather then waiting 3-to 60 days

 

[WR2]

Ahhhhh.....that's Amazon's way of saying it's out of stock ATM.

 

[WR2]

The Sunbeam and Xigmatek actually performed a smidge better on the AMD test @ FrostyTech.
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=2521&page=4

 

[David92680]

Thanks for all of your HELP. I just placed the order for everything and I cant wait to get it. I will come back and tell you all about it once I have it up and running.

 

[WR2]

While you're waiting for the UPS truck to roll by...
you can get most of the manuals in download PDF and start reading.
GA-870A-UD3 manual: http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Support/Motherboard/Manual_Model.aspx?ProductID=3430&ver=#anchor_os