"Sweet spot" Intel System Check
Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Lawrence Lee
"Sweet spot" Intel System Check
I've been out of the game for a while now -- my P4 2.8Ghz system is getting pretty long in the tooth and I need a new system for a 64-bit Windows 7 build. I don't game -- this system will be for programming, surfing, browsing, and some home video editing (maybe some HD in the near future). I'm looking for a value-driven "sweet-spot" system -- I don't want to pay premium prices for the newest features. The system needs to be powerful enough for what I want to do but, of course, be very quiet and low-power. I'd like to run with a case fan only if possible.
I want to go Intel and not AMD for this system -- that's my comfort area and I don't mind paying a small premium for it. I also want to use parts that are very popular -- in case I run into problems, I want to know that there will be an easy to find solution to it.
Any comments and suggestions are very much appreciated. All items and prices are from Newegg. Here's what I've come up with so far:
Case:Antec Solo (reusing from my current system)
PSU: Nexus VALUE 430 ($80)
Processor: Intel Core2 Duo E7500 Wolfdale ($120)
HSF: Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 ($35)
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R ($120)
System Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit ($90)
Video: SAPPHIRE 100234HDMI Radeon HD 3450 512MB ($35)
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA ($80)
Case Fan: Nexus BASIC D12SL-12 120mm ($10)
The biggest uncertainties I have at this point are the Scythe HSF, the GA-EP45 Motherboard (I need Firewire, but is this MB overkill for me?), and the video card (I want passive and it doesn't need to be too powerful for my needs). Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
I want to go Intel and not AMD for this system -- that's my comfort area and I don't mind paying a small premium for it. I also want to use parts that are very popular -- in case I run into problems, I want to know that there will be an easy to find solution to it.
Any comments and suggestions are very much appreciated. All items and prices are from Newegg. Here's what I've come up with so far:
Case:Antec Solo (reusing from my current system)
PSU: Nexus VALUE 430 ($80)
Processor: Intel Core2 Duo E7500 Wolfdale ($120)
HSF: Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 ($35)
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R ($120)
System Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit ($90)
Video: SAPPHIRE 100234HDMI Radeon HD 3450 512MB ($35)
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA ($80)
Case Fan: Nexus BASIC D12SL-12 120mm ($10)
The biggest uncertainties I have at this point are the Scythe HSF, the GA-EP45 Motherboard (I need Firewire, but is this MB overkill for me?), and the video card (I want passive and it doesn't need to be too powerful for my needs). Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
I have the same case, cooler, and motherboard (with a Q9550) - and I believe the same RAM as well. You will want to add the RAM before fiddling with the cooler, but everything fits - the biggest problem I had was getting to a few of the MB screws which was solved with a bit of scotch tape holding them into my nut driver until I could get them started.
(The cooler is securely held to the MB and CPU with screws from the back, so everything has to go together outside the case, no choice.)
There might be better or cheaper components available, but I'm happy with mine. I have a 4770 for the video card, so I cannot make a knowledgeable comment about that. I have the Corsair TX650 power supply - on the one hand, it's quiet and reliable, but there are a lot more wires than I need and it's not modular.
I did replace the Antec Tricool with a Noctua, which probably wasted a few bucks. I can say that there is no comparison between this build and the older, noisier Pentium 2.4C with a stock cooler in an Antec Sonata with the stock Antec case fan.
(The cooler is securely held to the MB and CPU with screws from the back, so everything has to go together outside the case, no choice.)
There might be better or cheaper components available, but I'm happy with mine. I have a 4770 for the video card, so I cannot make a knowledgeable comment about that. I have the Corsair TX650 power supply - on the one hand, it's quiet and reliable, but there are a lot more wires than I need and it's not modular.
I did replace the Antec Tricool with a Noctua, which probably wasted a few bucks. I can say that there is no comparison between this build and the older, noisier Pentium 2.4C with a stock cooler in an Antec Sonata with the stock Antec case fan.
The only app that hints of needing quad core is video editing. So, if you stay with dual core, the system you've spec'd is fine...if you didn't need firewire on the mobo, and don't need raid, then you could downgrade to the P45-UD3L and save $30. You can add a firewire card for $10-20.
I'd lean toward a low end 4xxx card instead of the 3450. The 4550 comes in passive varieties ~$50 and uses less power.
If you do expect to spend a lot of time with video editing, you might consider a low end socket 1156 system. Idle power will probably be the same or potentially less (p55 mobo's use less power than p45, the new quad cores do a great job of idle power reduction..).
Core i5 750 $200
Gigabyte mobo $110 (micro ATX) to $150
4GB DDR3 1333MHz ~$90
So, you spend $80 more and have the current gen system.
I'd lean toward a low end 4xxx card instead of the 3450. The 4550 comes in passive varieties ~$50 and uses less power.
If you do expect to spend a lot of time with video editing, you might consider a low end socket 1156 system. Idle power will probably be the same or potentially less (p55 mobo's use less power than p45, the new quad cores do a great job of idle power reduction..).
Core i5 750 $200
Gigabyte mobo $110 (micro ATX) to $150
4GB DDR3 1333MHz ~$90
So, you spend $80 more and have the current gen system.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
It looks like I definitely should go with a 4xxx video card. After checking out the options on Newegg, it looks like the SAPPHIRE 100252HDMI Radeon HD 4550 512MB is a good passive card for $40. I'm a bit concerned about overheating, though, as some reviews mentioned problems with that.
The i5 suggestion makes sense CA_Steve, but there don't seem to be many HSF options for 1156 socket. Does the Scythe MUGEN-2 fit on the GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2?
It looks like I definitely should go with a 4xxx video card. After checking out the options on Newegg, it looks like the SAPPHIRE 100252HDMI Radeon HD 4550 512MB is a good passive card for $40. I'm a bit concerned about overheating, though, as some reviews mentioned problems with that.
The i5 suggestion makes sense CA_Steve, but there don't seem to be many HSF options for 1156 socket. Does the Scythe MUGEN-2 fit on the GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2?
scythe-eu lists compatible 1156 coolers. There's also the Thermalright 1156 bolt-thru kit to fit with the Thermalright coolers as well as a great backplate for Ninja, etc.
Ok, after looking at i5 options, here is my proposed new setup:
Case:Antec Solo (reusing from my current system)
PSU: Nexus VALUE 430 ($80)
Processor: Intel Core i5-750 ($200)
HSF: XIGMATEK HDT-S1284EE 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler ($39)
XIGMATEK ACK-I5363 Intel Core i7/Core i5 compatible Bracket Set ($8)
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard ($110)
System Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit ($91)
Video: SAPPHIRE 100252HDMI Radeon HD 4550 512MB ($40)
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA ($80)
Case Fan: Nexus BASIC D12SL-12 120mm ($10)
I'm a little concerned about the HSF fitting on this microATX motherboard. Anyone think this might be a problem?
Case:Antec Solo (reusing from my current system)
PSU: Nexus VALUE 430 ($80)
Processor: Intel Core i5-750 ($200)
HSF: XIGMATEK HDT-S1284EE 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler ($39)
XIGMATEK ACK-I5363 Intel Core i7/Core i5 compatible Bracket Set ($8)
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard ($110)
System Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit ($91)
Video: SAPPHIRE 100252HDMI Radeon HD 4550 512MB ($40)
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA ($80)
Case Fan: Nexus BASIC D12SL-12 120mm ($10)
I'm a little concerned about the HSF fitting on this microATX motherboard. Anyone think this might be a problem?
I do not know your budget, but give a look here:
viewtopic.php?t=56164
this is the optimal and price/wise solution for a i5 based PC; you can take a Nvidia 250 if you wish.
viewtopic.php?t=56164
this is the optimal and price/wise solution for a i5 based PC; you can take a Nvidia 250 if you wish.
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- Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
If you want a cheaper alternative to the Xigma that is 1156 compatible out of the box, I'd recommend the Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus (don't know how the fan compares, but the heatsink and mounting setup on the 212 is very good).
Also, FYI I've had issues with system stability and the CPU throwing errors in Prime95 within minutes with that board/cpu unless EIST is disabled in the BIOS, and some googling found others with similar symptoms. Gigabyte's latest BIOS as of last week supposedly hasn't addressed it yet, but apparently they acknowledge the issue and are working on it.
Also, FYI I've had issues with system stability and the CPU throwing errors in Prime95 within minutes with that board/cpu unless EIST is disabled in the BIOS, and some googling found others with similar symptoms. Gigabyte's latest BIOS as of last week supposedly hasn't addressed it yet, but apparently they acknowledge the issue and are working on it.
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- Posts: 310
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:45 pm
- Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Ok - sig updated.CA_Steve wrote:Guess you'll have to update your signature, now
Xigmatek: Is it not secure? What are your idle/load temps?
I guess the XIGMATEK is pretty secure -- when I try to move it around it seems pretty stable. It's just that it didn't seem like I had to tighten the screws very hard before the threads ended. I'm not sure about temps -- Speedfan is reporting core temps of 8C - 11C at idle. Doesn't make much sense since ambient is around 20C, so I don't know what's going on with Speedfan.