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 Post subject: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Mon 02-15-2010 7:00PM 
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Beginning to look into building a new system and can't decide between i7 or i5...

Looking at Tom's Hardware, they seem to recommend i5 across the board. It's looking like it's the way to go for a great bang/buck ratio.. Is there something that i7 cpu's or the X58 chipset offers that I would really be missing out on?
I had done some research a few months ago and had narrowed processor down to i7 920, but then i5 came out and I haven't looked into which i5 I would prefer.

I'm leaning towards Nvidia (for CUDA + familiarity) and not planning on doing any SLI...
I'd like to do ~6GB of ram for a bit of future proofing, but thinking that if it comes to price 4GB would do just fine.
Native virtualization support is a must. I'd like to run a few VM's plus tinker w/ the 7's "XP mode"

Basically just looking for some opinions on a decent build...

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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Mon 02-15-2010 9:52PM 
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1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
2) What's your budget?
3) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc.
4) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?
5) Will you be overclocking?
6) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
7) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.


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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Mon 02-15-2010 11:38PM 
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1. Gaming, Dev work, a bit of encoding, Photoshop, HD playback.. Basically I'll be able to use whatever you can throw at me.. Consider me an experienced power user.
2. Not sure.. I'd like to be under $800 for sure, but we'll see what kind of performance I'll be getting
3. Only need CPU, mobo, RAM.. vid card will come later
4. Reusing some hdd's, 1 ide, 3 sata II, dvd drive (sata), nvidia 6800
4. Haven't OC'd, but not putting it out of the question.. definitely want quiet air cooled though
5. 22" acer @ 1680x1050
6. I need at least one Firewire port or a pin out for one (case has a port) for my ipod. Don't care too much about raid, but would like at least 6 sata ports for expansion...

I've got a ASUS A8N SLI-Deluxe, so I definitely like the feature rich mobos.. but it's far from a necessity.

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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Tue 02-16-2010 12:49PM 
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CPU: Both the i5-750 and i7-860 use socket 1156(p55), while the i7 920 uses socket 1366(x58).

CPU wise the i7-860 and 920 are identical, in terms of performance.

The main decision here is socket choice:

1) 1366 will be used on Intel's next generation of CPU (if you get the upgrade itch)
2) 1366 supports dual 16x PCI-E GPU
3) 1366 will be slightly more expensive CPU,ram,mobo wise, although both CPUs can be had for $200 at microcenter (1 in KC, 1 in STL)

i7-860 socket 1156
i7-920 socket 1366

3) 1156 is "main stream" but just as beastly without a few features



Here is a thread regarding the difference
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1 ... ht=860+920

Therefore, make that decision and we can begin with the rest.

Also, $800=CPU, ram, mobo as you mentioned? Do you not need a case, power supply, aftermarket heatsink?


Last edited by MirageX on Tue 02-16-2010 2:43PM, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Tue 02-16-2010 2:31PM 
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For me, you either go i7 or look at the AMDs. The whole 1156 socket reminds me too much of the 754 socket (AMD), which was a travesty.


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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Tue 02-16-2010 2:37PM 
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i7= socket 1156 and socket 1366

i7-860=socket 1156
i7-920=socket 1366

i5-750=socket1156, but at the microcenter price points, it's not even logical to consider. ($180 vs. $200)


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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Tue 02-16-2010 6:21PM 
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Only need CPU, mobo, and ram. Should have the rest, unless there's been a new mobo power plug I'm unaware of. Upgraded PSU last year to start an incremental upgrade of my rig: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817371016

I'll have to read over that thread, but I've done a decent amount of research on the cpu's and socket types.. Trying to find some of the major differences between X58 and P55 has been interesting.

EDIT: Couple pages in and it looks like the biggest difference between P55 and X58 is the X58's support for tri-channel ram kits. I probably won't ever run more than 8GB of ram.. and that would be just 2 sets of 4GB(2x2GB).. The i7 860 is looking more attractive the more I read.. Any reading that says QPI is way better than DMI?

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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Tue 02-16-2010 6:48PM 
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Yes, you're correct about the tri vs. dual channel RAM kits.

Also for the DMI / QPI discussion, check this out

bottom half of page 1 gets into it.

Also when thinking about mobos, SATA III and USB 3.0 are currently hitting the shelves.... another "future proof" feature to keep in mind.


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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Wed 02-17-2010 4:23PM 
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So Microcenter has the 920 and 860 for the same price.. so that kinda narrows it down to mobo choices. P55 will definitely be cheaper, but upgrading will be a lot easier with the X58. I'm looking at the ASUS P6T.. It seems that it doesn't OC as well as the P6T V2 Deluxe, but has 2 more sata ports (which is better IMO).

Is there anything I'm missing that would push me towards the V2?

Still haven't ruled out i5 yet, but need to do more reading on it and find a P55 mobo I like.

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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Wed 02-17-2010 6:38PM 
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I'd say go socket 1366. That will provide you with potential upgrades in the future, and potentially a higher resale value as the parts will take longer to reach a "legacy" status.

Both of those Asus boards would be excellent choices. A main difference of the Deluxe model is that it has a 16 phase power design whereas the P6T is 8 phase. This means a "potentially" higher overclock.

Any i7+x58 combo is gonna hit at least 3.4Ghz, and both of these boards will produce results above that.



Now, these boards are older, but that also means they are pretty much bug free and solid.

Keep in mind that boards are now on the market with USB 3.0 and Sata (6Gb/s)
Newegg search of such mobos

However, price has increased in these (except the Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R for $210), and don't forget about the potential for hardware conflicts, BIOS issues, and everything associated with new technology.


What would I do?
Either purchase the ASUS P6T and be very satisfied, or do some research on the newer models.



Now for RAM,
6Gb Tri-channel kit gonna be enough for you?



Also, even if you're not going to OC immediately, I would recommend taking a look at aftermarket heatsinks.
These chips produce some serious heat, and the stock fan is pretty much cutting corners.

here is one review of a few heatsinks out there with the stock as well.


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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Wed 02-17-2010 7:43PM 
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MirageX wrote:
Keep in mind that boards are now on the market with USB 3.0 and Sata (6Gb/s)
Newegg search of such mobos

How are Gigabyte boards? I have a friend who ran one for a few years, but started fritzing out on him. They're usually cheap, but that kinda worries me. That UD3R's price tag is mighty attractive though.

And for RAM... 6GB should be plenty, but most of those kits are $200+. Know of any way to take that down? Also, I've never had a clue about RAM.. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. I understand the CAS timings and what not.. just not their impact to performance.

Took another look at the budget and $800's becoming a bit of a stretch.. Would like under $600... of course a caveat always present w/ I love a good rig... stupid expensive habits.

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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Thu 02-18-2010 6:15PM 
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Gigabyte's quality is now significantly higher than in the past. They have come a long way, in terms of motherboards.

I assisted a roommate with a build of i5 750+ gigabyte a few months ago and he hasn't had any problems thus far.

Here is a review of USB 3.0 to add input to the ASUS or newer debate.


For RAM kits,

On the ASUS either of these would work great.

GSkill
Corsair

On the Gigabyte, however, I have read about a few RAM compatibility issues.

I havn't looked at it's "accepted RAM list" yet but here is a thread dedicated to a few problems people have encountered thus far.
link

Just keep in mind, people probably post more when they have issues than those without any.



Therefore,
i7-860 = $200 at microcenter (Did I mention I think it has to be an in-store purchase?)
ASUS P6T or Gigabyte X58A-UD3R = $210-230
RAM = 165-180
couple $$ of shipping

~$575-610


I'd also recommend you take a look at this heatsink

Hyper 212 for $30 it will help keep your CPU much cooler


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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Fri 02-19-2010 12:52AM 
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Nice.. That Gigabyte mobo is just too good to pass by. USB 3.0 and Sata 6Gbps for less than the ASUS board? Count me in. I'm definitely an ASUS fan, but they're definitely a higher tier provider.

That thread worries me a bit (on the gigabyte mem issues). It looks like if you get it in the correct slots (which are numbered kinda funny) it'll boot just fine. BUT, the GSKILL ram you linked isn't on the approved list. Did I read the thread right or what?

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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Fri 02-19-2010 12:30PM 
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After some extensive reading.. I'm pretty sure that most ram will work. The 2nd set of ram slots has issues, and is closer to the proc; which makes most ppl think it's the 1st slot. Since I probably won't go above one kit... I'm ok w/ that.

I found this OCZ Gold kit which is on the Gigabyte "accepted ram list" for the board... AND has a $30 MIR, making it ~$35 cheaper than the GSKILL.

Now to scrounge the funds... :roll:

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 Post subject: Re: i7 vs i5
PostPosted: Sun 02-21-2010 2:49PM 
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Yea that RAM should work fine, especially if it's on the accepted list.


Good luck with saving up.

Might want to grab the CPU first, as I believe the microcenter price is a sale price and I'm not sure how long it will last.


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