P55 or X58 or wait for x68?

[Loki951]

In the market for a new rig. Now I would assume that the performance difference between x58 and 68(when it releases) to be marginal. I wonder if shaving some dollars in pairing a i7 860 (1156) to a P55 mobo would suffice or on the other hand go with the likes of the newer i7 9xx (1366) paired to a x58 mobo.

I suppose all other components fall into place, but I am looking for comments, suggestions, etc on cpu/chipset.

I would appreciate such comments/suggestions as to "Well if you want 'x' type of computer then you would want to go with such and such." (x - meaning media/all around/gaming specific/etc)

*sidenote* A well-balanced system is what I am aiming for, generally. The ability to play the latest titles is not an ABSOLUTE must though would be nice, lol.

[Loki951]

Just found a good forum post if anyone is either in the same boat or just wants to know one path versus the other.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/270675-28-tomshardware

[Ghotimeal]

No such thing Loki. If you want to play the latest titles you need a gaming rig. Home PCs serve one of two purposes the multimedia aspect and gaming. Solid CPU, mobo, and vid card, the balance is that one component does not hinder the other. Build yourself a mid range gaming rig that you could upgrade or run sli or crossfire.

[Loki951]

I can dream, can't I? haha. Understood. The way I see it is that the P55 ("mainstream") will pretty much handle most usage. IF someone was looking to not only x-fire or sli but to do so with the highest-end GPU's thats where the x58 chipset would come in handy and squeeze out some more frames.

As I agree with the lack of such a system (balanced) my main goal was to get a grasp on the distinction between pro/con of P55 vs. x58. But with your post as well as the constant googling for the better part of a wk I am slowly making my choices. Thanks :)

[tinybobdfa]

Don't forget sli+ this allows 3 graphics cards to run at the same time.

It all depends on the how much money you got???? question!!!

for around £600 you can built a very powerful pc that is not out of date as soon as you buy it.
not sure how that works out in the US of A I have never had to compair prices before.

but it will get you a nice bit of kit.

[Ghotimeal]

It would run about USD$700 for a singe card system that could run all current releases on the higher end smoothly.

[tinybobdfa]

I find that DIY pc's are the best way to go about it.

To get possibly a very scary pc together is very easy.

Here are mostly all you need.

and you can butcher parts from your old pc to make it a little cheaper.

XFX nForce 790i Ultra 3-Way SLI Motherboard
1x £126.49
G.SKILL DDR3 1333 PC10666 4GB (2GB x 2)
1x £78.14
Gainward GeForce 9800 GT "Green Edition" 1024MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card
3x £75.89
1Tb Samsung EcoGreen F2 SATA-2 Hard Drive HD103SI
1x £62.04
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.5GHz 4MB-cache (1333FSB) Processor - Retail
1x £103.49
Total: (inc. VAT) £597.83 :eek::D:eek:

as you can see not too bad.
And the PC you end up with can be very scary

The motherboard in this list is mine, but I have 3 x nvidia 8800gts each has 1gb of ddr3 ram onboard.
Sometimes my pc is too fast to play games on.:eek:

[Loki951]

Awesome input guys. Well as far as budget I am in it for ~ < 1k USD. I thought about salvaging the my current cpu but I think I will keep it around as a backup if anything or for another pc for LAN-game use.

Before I checked these replies I was thinking quite a few options. I think the modest Asus P7P55D Pro or Premium is a descent start to an upgradeable rig paired with a i7 860. As far as graphics I think its smart to opt out of the DX11 cards until gen 2. So I would be rolling back to the HD 4870 which should suffice till then. All components will be housed in the Antec P193. As far as the other components they will 1) fall into place or 2) I will bump into them whilst googling.

Again thanks for inputs guys. Bob you can bet Ill be taking a gander at some of those components. :) Oh and I must admit I had no clue about 3-way sli before your post. Doh! Obviously shows that I am still rockin the 478 Asus p4p800 lol.

[tinybobdfa]

HAHAHA just a funny note for you my name is Peter and not bob but TINYPETE just does not have the same ring, oh yeah and I'm fat lol. :eek::eek:

I LIKE REAL ALES hence the Oakham Ales t-shirt.

[Loki951]

Rock on Pete and just to throw in names I'm Alvin. Oh yes, I always get the cartoon reference like there's no tomorrow... glad to (virtually) meet you.

[Loki951]

[X] Antec P193
[X] Intel i7-860 -- (Really anxious to give this processor a whirl coming from a socket 478 2.60EE hahaha!)
[X] Asus Maximus III Formula -- (Changed mind from Asus P7P55D Pro to Asus P7P55D-E Premium to the Maximus lol funny how google/tomshardware will do that)
[X] WD Cav Grn 500GB SATA
[X] G. Skill F3 (12800CL9D) DDR3 2x 2GB -- (if I am happy with these I may just fill up the other channel with same. The newer/cheaper, in price, series "Ripsaw" just looked too hideous for me lol)
[X] Radeon HD 4890 -- (just until Gen 2 DX11 cards come out)
[X] Some Modular 550W -- (Close call on budget Ill go bigger/better if I ever SLI/X-Fire)

Should be a nice start to a modular rig as time moves along.
I absolutely love the case.. Its quite larger than I imagined it would be,
though I have seen in pictures, video, and knew the dimensions...

[ISirius]

The i7 860 is a good processor. It screams for everything I do (BF2, music production, basic office stuff). Have a blast assembling your new monster.

[Baggy_Drawers]

Here's my pick for super computing! It even speaks out the letters for you! O ..... M .... G!

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/ba/barbie-picture-n-learn-laptop.jpg

[Loki951]

The i7 860 is a good processor. It screams for everything I do (BF2, music production, basic office stuff).

All at the same time, huh?! haha. well cant wait last day for all the components to be delivered is the 9th so I'll be waiting between now and then. I changed up a few things Ill update the post above.


@Baggy. When I scrolled your pic and read your caption I bawled. Thanks I needed that.

[Loki951]

DOH! everything is coming together splendidly, but I just got a callback for a 2nd interview for a j.o.b.... So I might be on hold for both battlefield and on the build. I will still be on the forums just like usual though hehe. I was able to get my hands on the Win7 Ult x64. I hope reverse compatibility for the most part will be alright (32 apps in 64 architecture).

Main reason for jumping so quickly into 64 is that I wont be able to use all RAM in the 32 realm as I have read in 32bit you max the system at ~< 4 Gb even if you have more than that.


B back ASAP.
-Alvin

[Loki951]

Back to report that my agitation is relieved! I was able to use another Wireless USB Adapter (WG111T) and use Vista x64 drivers for Win7 Ult x64. Works like a charm. 0 complaints out of me now with Win 7 x64.

*Sidenote* - Wg111T is years older than the newer Linksys WUSB54GSC I have and yet the older adapter has the compatible drivers. I suppose that's x86 to x64 transition at its finest... hehe. ::happy face::

-Alvin

[PJGARD]

Easter Island should look awesome on that new machine. LOL

[Loki951]

PJ!!! Yea... I bet my bottom dollar! I'll be on later tonight...! take care.

-Alvin

[tinybobdfa]

With the PC that I am testing right now if I max out all the graphics I get mega hassles on screen when playing lots of black hexagons all over the place.
All I then did was turn terrain detail to low and the problem disapeared thankfully.
I think my problem lies with the fact that this new PC is way to powerful for BF2 to run properly.
The PC in question is running duelxduel core 64bit or for easier understanding 2 duel cores with 2X6400+ and SLI+ with 3Xnvidia8800GTS each has 1gb of ram
and 32gb of ram and 4x2Tb HD's :eek:
This thing is like a tornado 200 miles across :D:D
I was testing the speed it could convert an AVI format file into a DVD format.
A 2:36:42 film lenght took just 28 seconds to convert :eek::eek::eek::eek:
Oh yeah and I have 2X blue ray drives
In blue ray High Def mode it took a staggering 3min 52secs to do the same film. :eek::eek:

[Loki951]

The specs on your systems are just wicked Pete... ::thumbs up:: :D

[tinybobdfa]

Shame I don't always get to keep them I could make a fortune selling them. on ;)

As I have said before I just test these parts of kit to destruction, that includes turning them on and not turning them off again for up to six months later. :eek:

Life's to short........ "Lets go kill the locals" :D:D:D:D:D

[Loki951]

So I decided to drop in aftermarket CPU cooling. nothing special I almost had a heartattack after disassembling the computer putting the components in and reassembling...the computer would NOT boot... after re-doing the procedure 2 more times it was still a no go. So I decided to go diagnostic mode and move my computer to the work bench so I can begin testing components and trying to figure what component(s) are going haywire...

Basically the monitor cable attachment on the back of the sony sdm p234 was loose and fell as I was going to move the monitor...

Needless to say when diagnosing you really should check all connections(internal AND external) as well as power first... hahaha.

[tinybobdfa]

DOH!!!!!! hahahahaha that is funny, but I can't laugh I have done the same sort of thing. :eek:
I was getting all angry and kicking the walls punching the doors getting real angry and then I checked my connections, Damn I felt like an idiot. :eek:

[Raptor25k]

I'm also getting ready to build a new PC, Actually i'm ordering the stuff today, but i'm an AMD guy so i'm going with the AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition (http://game.amd.com/us-en/unlock_phenomiiblack.aspx)

Watch that video :), those guys are overclocking a phenom up to 7.08 Ghz using liquid helium to keep it cool.

[Loki951]

Nice. I like the "Invisible PC" the one that looks like its submerged in a liquid?! hehe. At that speed you play bf2 and get a seizure! They are capable of much stress and performance.

Great platform to start a modular rig. Just like the Guardian told Indy in The Last Crusade, "But choose wisely, for while the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you."

Rap any choices on MB or other components yet?

[Raptor25k]

Well after doing alot of review reading i decided to switch over to the Intel Core i7 920 for personel reasons.

I have'nt had any problems with Intel before, I like AMD but they do run a little hotter then i like.

As for the rest

Video:
XFX HD-4870 1GB Crossfirex Ready

If i like the card i'll get another later and bridge them.

Mobo:
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Crossfirex Ready Supports up to 24GB of ram

Memory:
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB X2 = 8GB's of Ram

P/S:
OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W

HeatSink:
COOLER MASTER Intel Core i7 compatible V8
I Like Cool Temps :)

Case:
COOLER MASTER HAF 932

I like the big 230mm fans, Moves more air with less rpms

Thats about it, except for the 24'' WideScreen but i'm already using it

Take a look at this chart to compare your CPU to the rest BenchMarks (http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html)

:)

[Loki951]

Nice Rap! Yup to each their own... I picked every component of my build for a reason and if you have any thoughts why this or that Ill throw some info your way. Research is great stuff and always a blast when its something you will be getting/building.

I went with the Antec P193 Case... absolutely quiet even with the all fans including one 230mm side fan on full throttle. I chose the P193 when I was torn between the Antec 1200 and the HAF932. One thing though is that when I first saw the P193 in person it was HUGE... almost went for the little brother P18x but looking at the compartamentalized design and the airflow path I HAD to have it though it was the only thing I really went over on the budget hahaha. I know its all preference and all but the HAF 932 is P-R-I-M-E platform for watercooling... thats also why I went with P193 its one that moves a lot of air.

Oh and I am using that cooler too... After running on stock cpu fan and switching to that all around drop of 5-10 degrees(at least)... both in idle and "full-throttle." I am running on the cooling for a day and a half now. I think Ill start oc'ing and voltage settings now since I feel much more comfortable and confident with my cooling setup. edit: then again I cant say full-throttle because nothing relaly makes this cpu run hard unless its a stress test haha.

On memory I am a fanboy of Corsair XMS PRO series all the way. But for my recent build I am running G.Skill because of many good experiences from many others I oly have 4GB of it but I am happy and may throw another 4 at it.

On power I got a nice deal on a 550w nice and modular BFG psu... I know I will have to go bigger for crossfire but thats okay maybe later.. hehe.

I did similar on graphics I went for the 4890 1Gb gddr5 if I like it Ill slap another one on.. But if they still had the 4650's everyone had the craze for I woulda bought 2 of those right off the bat. The first gen DX11 cards (5700 and up) I told myself to wait till gen two because of "kinks" and/or much more bang for buck as there is not too much use for dx11 out there yet.

I loved every moment piecing mine together from the unboxing to the build and to the unveiling.. (bit of a nerd) lol... you will have a blast.

[Raptor25k]

Yea i know the feeling, I have only bought 1 name brand PC about 7 years ago and i have built everyone myself since then, I'll never buy another name brand, Hell i sometimes think i enjoy building them better then i do using them ;)

As for water cooled thats another reason i got that case i can always upgrade to water if i want, or maybe even liquid helium like in that video :D lmao.

Actually i have always wanted to do a water cooled setup but at the same time it could be disasterous if you spring a leak, water and electricity are'nt the best of friends if you know where i'm coming from so i'm kinda skittish on the water cooled setup.

So i take it yours is up and running ? so how you like it ? I'm sure it blows your old one away.

I'm also sure it does'nt even know bf2 is there.

[Ghotimeal]

Man your PCs are gonna be faster than mine! Gonna have to upgrade!

[tinybobdfa]

Hey Loki your not going to believe this but they let me keep one of those silly graphics cards.
They said to me "Anyone who can put up with the noise of two of them is worthy to be able to keep one".
I think I must have fainted at that moment. (don't remember much for over five mins lol)
Damn did I do some ass licking or what!!!!!
Just a shame BF2 graphics don't get any better my original cards had BF2 running at max spec.
But at least I can push the boat out when BBC 2 comes out.
http://badcompany2.ea.com/en-gb
This looks to me to be a good TEAM game :D:D

[Loki951]

@Pete - That is awesome for you... No worries you are set graphically for a good long while! Live it up and give us the low down from time to time about some prototype-ish hardware.. >=) hehe.

@Raptor - Yea The new system handles anything and everything I throw at it... I alt-tab effortlessly between listening to music/bf2/icq/surfing the net. Like I mentioned before coming from a socket 478...
This computer just wines and dines as its doing what my last build struggles (a bit) to deal with. Though my last computer still can hack it.. this one is such an upgrade to the nth degree!
The HAF932 is perfect if you will be moving to watercooling as its like the top platform for such use from resevoir locations to external feed/return etc etc.
About leaks and liquid + chip components = fried chips (not the ones you eat either). Usually watercooling system designs take into consideration the fact they are in close proximity to electronic components. I always worried about such a problem.. but both from research and friends who do use it the systems are pretty sealed off and in some cases there are things implemented to reduce if not completely remove condensation and similar types or concerns. Im sure you will be fine when/if you do upgrade to liquid. =)

@Ghoti - No problem by the time you do upgrade we will need to as well, at least progressively. ;)

[tinybobdfa]

I will take a photo of the test PC not a huge amout to look at but the case fan is funny due to its size.......

I can't find the tape measure but it's about 20-25cm across :D:D

No water cooling damn thing is full now lol, sorry not aloowed to show what's inside right now the motherboard is very hush hush, let me just say id does not fit inside a standard sized case. It only jst fits inside the case I have now lol.

[Ghotimeal]

My system is about a year old and like all things pc I'm behind here is what is currently in my box:
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
ASUS M4A79T Deluxe
Sapphire HD 4870 2GB Vapor X (2 in Crossfire)
Western Digital Caviar Blue 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s (2)
Seagate FreeAgent 500GB USB External HD
HP Black Multiformat DVD Burner LightScribe Support 1070d
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel
COOLER MASTER Silent Pro 850W
Antec 900 (First Gen)
Samsung SyncMaster 2494
This stuff was smoking a year ago, May just upgrade to Win 7 from XP and put 2 more cards in as this mobo supports quad crossfire!

[Raptor25k]

Well i got the stuff today, and got this thing put together everythings running smooth so far, i have'nt been in bf2 yet but i'm fixing to :)

Hey loki are you running your CPU and Video Card on default or have you tweaked em ?

I seen where alot of people are oveclocking the 920 to 4 ghz

[Loki951]

GLAD TO HEAR!!! WOO HOOO !

As for running tweaked.. I love how the asus maximus III forumla allows the overclock and voltage tuning for each components. You save settings for "Normal/Performance/Crazy," yes the led lights next to each overclockable component has those three leds and labels distinguishing what you are running... Though trivial options it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside..

I am running mildly tweaked still leaving room for that (UMPH headroom for when I really need it) My i7 860 is pushed to a 3.06Ghz (stock 2.8) and G.Skill PC3 12800 is running with 9-9-9-24 (I know conservative) but pumping a tiny bit more voltage. Before running tighter CAS settings I think I will buy another 2gb(x2) pack just so I can fill up the slots. But its unlikely too many applications will need more than 2-4GB mem. Again to each their own. >=)

As it stands not even clocked this machine will make me happy for the next 5-10. (Hoping longer but we both know tech is so exponentially modular like that.. )


Oh yea... the HD4890 1GB is left unclocked for now.. I mean it runs sooo much nicer than my last system I dont really feel the need to clock it... if that time ever does come I am sure there will be a juicy gen 2 dx11 card prime for picking... =)=)=)