A reputable Anandtech article a while back pretty much showed RAID0 did not improve gaming performance, load times or most real world performance for that matter. However, it did dramatically affect synthetic benchmarks...
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A reputable Anandtech article a while back pretty much showed RAID0 did not improve gaming performance, load times or most real world performance for that matter. However, it did dramatically affect synthetic benchmarks...
Then we're both in agreement.Quote:
Originally Posted by Soulburner
:lol:
Perkam
How about suggestions for an Intel HTPC / media (center) PC build? (Based on Conroe of course, either E6300 or E6600 would seem logical. I'll personally go with the E6600, I'm quite sure.)
An interesting case would be the hFX Mini - an all-passive with support for CPUs up to 120W. Especially if you get the fanless 165W mini-PSU. It's caught my eye anyhow, but I guess it's a question of taste.
Anyway... what motherboard would you suggest for an E6300 and E6600 based HTPC, respectively? It would seem from the existing guide that ASUS P5B Deluxe is the best (if you can afford it), then comes the Gigabyte GA-8I945P-G and for value rigs Foxconn 945G7MA-8KS2 seems to be best value? Would these be the same for an HTPC (I can't see why they shouldn't, but I haven't stayed update with Intel for a long time, so please excuse me for asking).
Otherwise excellent guide, kudos to you Perkam! My only remaining inquiry is why the ASUS is regarded to be the best? What makes it better/stand out more than the competition?
(On a side note, it turned out, as forecast by many, that the P965 spanks "big-brother" i975X I take it?)
What about the upcoming Abit board Fugger made a thread about?
Thanks!
~ Kris
I'm still wondering why you have a 965 board with XFire? Shouldn't you have a 975 board to go with that?
UDPATE
- Conroe links Added From ZZF
- "Xtreme" rigs or any with crossfire changed to 975x Mobos upon request
- X1950 Single and Crossfire added based on estimated prices.
- Updated X1900 Prices Added (X1900 Crossfire can now be had for as little as $700)
- All prices updated as of 11PM EST 08/19/2006
- DFI Infinity and MSI 975 Mobos Chosen for Xtreme Rigs
- Mainstream Rig Mobos reverted from Abit AB9 To Gigabyte DS3
- Intel Bench Machine is now using 2gb of TeamGroup cas 3 ddr2 667 Guaranteed D9s for its main memory
Perkam
How bout the mobo used at latest or recent "on air" records made here ? -> Xtreme Overclocking . Which category ? :D
Most Intel boards are either hard to get guaranteed revisions of (rev 302/304) or they require mods for the same oc options enthusiast (MSI/DFI/Asus) boards have anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by bing
Perkam
Cool, you chose my future board (MSI 975X PPUE) for the Intel Bench rig... any particular reasons why you chose this over the P5W DH?
Suman
P5W DH = Rare as a blue moon to find in stock.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sumanji
Perkam
Wow really?! Pretty much in stock everywhere here in the UK, but bloody expensive at £150+. Oh well, the MSI is a superior board anyway :p:
Too bad, too, probably a nice board.. I guess I'll never know :brick:Quote:
Originally Posted by perkam
outpost has the Silverstone ST50EF for $69 + shipping. a little cheaper.
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by sn_85
That's a high quality 500W PSU !!!! As good as any enermax liberty.
Perkam
Great Guide!
I do have a suggestion for an added category though - Conroe Cruncher.. for those that don't want to do the 805 route
I had one on there for about a week ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hymay
But at the time the components were too expensive and those who DO crunch with conroe use at least an E6600...which ALONE is going for more than price of an entire PD805 Cruncher Rig Shipped.
Perkam
that 7900 in the mainstream power is INCREDIBLY overpriced...
Is the MSI better / more stable than the DFI? How do they compare feature-wise and as the P965 board was dropped from the list, I take it i975x is indeed superior?
My previous experiences with DFI haven't been too great when it comes to stability, which is very important to me. Overclocking by all means, but not at the expense of 24/7 stability.
So, what is the general consensus, is the MSI the best mobo for conroe out there at this moment, ignoring price?
I do not intend on going neither cross-fire nor SLI, at least not before R600 arrives and if I go CF then, I'd gladly replace the motherboard. So CF/SLI is a feature that I do not need
Thank you ever so much!
~ Kris
edit: Another question, what are the main differences between Intel ICH7R and Intel ICH7 DH south bridges?
Does anyone have a good link where one could read-up on the best chipsets (nbs and sbs) as well as mobos for conroe?
975 isn't surperior to 965...
no, the best mobo out now ignoring price is the P5WDG2 WS Pro.
both the MSI and DFI are mediocre boards, IMO.
Dunno about the DFI, but give the MSI some time, the BIOS is still very immature... :devil:Quote:
Originally Posted by [TAG]Imp
The Gigabyte DS3 didn't work with the OCZ 6400 memory I bought, even with the BIOS voltage change. I winded up getting cheaper Corsair value ram that boots at 1.8v fine.
Excellent thread Perkam
may I suggest that you gives explanantion for the title, as in
INTEL Value
INTEL Dedicated Cruncher
INTEL Gaming On A Budget
INTEL Mainstream Power
INTEL Mainstream Gamer
INTEL Xtreme Gamer
INTEL HardCore MultiTasker
INTEL Bench Machine
gives them definition e.g.
Intel Value for those who used the rig only for office appz
gives appz example
INTEL Xtreme Gamer for playin "A Game" with "AxB" resolution
hi
suggestion
add gigabyte ds4 mobo, cause better cooling and phase regulation...
price is somewhere there :D
Great Resource Thanks!
If your going to be buying an OEM CPU, you can't use stock cooling, as they don't come with a HFS.....Quote:
Originally Posted by perkam
I may well have misread it, but thats just my $0.02
i think we could try to ditch the Pentium D's. Core 2 is just so much better, and not too much more expensive.