Upgrade options

[nitdawg]

I have some $$ to put into upgrading my work rig. I do bioinformatics and a lot in Adobe CS5 (not video, however).

My rig as is:
Q9450
8 GB ram
Win7x64
4x10K Raptors (150 GB), RAID1
DP35DP (G35 chipset, I think)
Quadro FX570
Intel NIC
Dual 22" LCD monitors

Options I've come up with:
1) Just a new video card, I don't need Quadro, like the GTX 460 --- this seems to be one of the lower performing components on my rig

2) New video card and 120 GB SSD, keep 2 raptors RAIDed for additional storage.

3) New MOBO with i5-2500 with the built-in video, SSD for OS and a raptor or 2 for storage.

Just some ideas and looking for any sort of input.

Thank you muchly

 

[masterasia]

I'd go with option 3. Sandybridge kicks ass right now.
Adobe apps will open in seconds with an SSD.

 

[nitdawg]

If I go the Sandy route, how much better is DDR3...i.e. can I use my 8 GB of DDR2?

 

[clarkjd]

If I go the Sandy route, how much better is DDR3...i.e. can I use my 8 GB of DDR2?

No, the mobos require DDR3, but you can use dual channel kits

 

[Sequences]

I would assume that bioinformatics requires heavy analysis? Upgrading the processor and memory (to DDR3) would be better if that's the case.

 

[nitdawg]

I would assume that bioinformatics requires heavy analysis? Upgrading the processor and memory (to DDR3) would be better if that's the case.

I do hit 6 GB of RAM usage on some of my informatics apps. The big big jobs are handed off to a super computer.

I've never had issues with my Raptors, but I keep reading about SSDs and the performance boost, so I take it coupling a sandy with an SSD would be nice...I'm still not finding much info regarding the new and touted integrated video on boards like the DH67CL. I wouldn't say my work is graphic intensive (i.e. CAD or video edits).

You guys are great, thanks for the input

 

[nitdawg]

Well, with everyone chiming in for the Sandy route, maybe a H67 board is in order.

 

[nitdawg]

Okay, this is what I was thinking now:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTX80G 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC
Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155
Intel BOXDH67CL LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX

Keeping my case, PS, my 2x22" panels, and some leftover raptors. Hmmm, sounds good on paper for around $550.

 

[Sequences]

Just make sure your PSU is compatible with that new MOBO.

 

[saaiello]

Get a P67 board and the 2500 K it will be a tad more but will offer a chance to really unleash what sandy bridge can do.

 

[nitdawg]

Just make sure your PSU is compatible with that new MOBO.

Hmmm, good call. My compatible you mean as in power output or connection type?

 

[nitdawg]

Get a P67 board and the 2500 K it will be a tad more but will offer a chance to really unleash what sandy bridge can do.

I show my naivety here, but the P67 do not have on board video vs the H67s? I'm not looking to overclock, game, etc. So I guess it comes down to video output and if the H67 is sufficient for my needs. If not something like the GTX460 I think is more than enough for me. I don't mind spending the extra $$, but if I don't need video HP up the wahzoo, then I could possible live with the H67.

Are there other fundamental differences between the P and H boards?

Great great info here!

 

[anacandor]

P67 can overclock, H67 can't.
P67 doesn't support integrated graphics, H67 does.

I think a H67 based motherboard will fit your needs just fine

 

[Sequences]

Hmmm, good call. My compatible you mean as in power output or connection type?

Connection type. I don't see you doing anything crazy with multiple CPU's or SLI configuration, so the power consumption shouldn't be that big an issue. Just make sure your old PSU has the right sockets to power your planned upgrades.

 

[nitdawg]

Well this is a big downer: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/intel-hit-with-chipset-design-flaw-in-sandy-bridge-rollout/44257

 

[Wampbit]

The flaw hits the mobos, but from what I understand it's limited to the 4 3Gb/s sata ports, not the 2 6Gb/s sata ports. I'd still go for (3) and then, once the recall is fully underway, endure a week of downtime for a replacement mobo.

 

[nitdawg]

The flaw hits the mobos, but from what I understand it's limited to the 4 3Gb/s sata ports, not the 2 6Gb/s sata ports. I'd still go for (3) and then, once the recall is fully underway, endure a week of downtime for a replacement mobo.

That's not a bad approach. I decided to leave my current system as is and pass it on to another member of our team who really could use a better PC and I'm just going for an all-out new build.

I think I'm getting close to settling on the i5-2500K, a 240 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM, GTX 560 Ti. I haven't decided on a BluRay burner or not (would be nice for backing up some of my larger datasets to a single disc).

That leaves me with PS (thinking 650W)
MOBO (thinking Intel H67 ATX)
And case (Antec DF-35)

Just some food for thought!

 

[Wampbit]

Instead of the DF-35 I'd really go for a HAF932 or a 900/902 for better cooling - I'm sure long periods of heavy mathematics will peak your CPU, so better airflow is always nice - but it is noisy. The 650W PSU is fine.

Regarding the mobo, I'm not entirely certain where the performance bottlenecks lie for your processes, but brute force is always a nice thing. You have a none-too-bad discrete gpu, so I wouldn't see the H67 very helpful, compared to a P67 combined with a quick and easy overclock. Of course, overclocking always comes with its risks and life-span decrease, and if you simply want to avoid it the H67 is better.

Blu-ray burners are nice, but the cost for blank disks isn't very friendly (atleast it's not here in England, I don't know about the rest of the world), and I still don't see blu-ray readers everywhere, if you want to share the data via some hard media it's likely that you'd still have to burn DVDs.

 

[nitdawg]

Instead of the DF-35 I'd really go for a HAF932 or a 900/902 for better cooling - I'm sure long periods of heavy mathematics will peak your CPU, so better airflow is always nice - but it is noisy. The 650W PSU is fine.

Regarding the mobo, I'm not entirely certain where the performance bottlenecks lie for your processes, but brute force is always a nice thing. You have a none-too-bad discrete gpu, so I wouldn't see the H67 very helpful, compared to a P67 combined with a quick and easy overclock. Of course, overclocking always comes with its risks and life-span decrease, and if you simply want to avoid it the H67 is better.

Blu-ray burners are nice, but the cost for blank disks isn't very friendly (atleast it's not here in England, I don't know about the rest of the world), and I still don't see blu-ray readers everywhere, if you want to share the data via some hard media it's likely that you'd still have to burn DVDs.

I guess I could sit and wait for the Z68 boards, and with the recall in effect, I'm not sure what's going to happen first...getting a H/P67 on the new metal or Z68 release to retailers.

Blank BR media is about $1/disc, so that's isn't too bad considering the burners go for around $100. I'll take a look at those case suggestions as well.