LstBrunnenG
Supreme [H]ardness
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2003
- Messages
- 6,676
I'm building a system that will be using phase change cooling. Budget is not an object for this machine. For the sake of argument, let's say it's being built to go for the highest CPU-Z screenshot possible. It won't be used for gaming, so it does not need a powerful GPU or a boatload of RAM. Every component just needs to be fast.
I started by considering AMD dual-cores, AMD quad-cores, Intel Core 2 Duos, Intel Core 2 Quads, and Intel Core i7s as platforms. I've since narrowed this field to either a Core 2 Duo or a Core i7 - the Core 2 Duo has the advantage of raw clock speed (which is surprising; unlocked Core 2 Duos haven't been around since 65nm), while the Core i7 seems to have the advantage of raw performance.
Here are my proposals for each CPU:
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 965
Asus Rampage II Extreme X58
G.Skill PI 3 GB DDR3-2000
Intel Core 2 Duo 8600
Asus Maximus II Formula
G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2-1200
The PSU will be the BFG LS-550, because it has ample wattage and, according to the [H] review, phenominal voltage stability and reliability.
One thing to consider is the compatibility of the phase change unit. I'm pretty sure the Prometeia Mach II GT is the unit we'll be using, though it may soon be replaced by a multi-stage unit. As far as I know, an adapter for this unit does not exist for LGA 1336, but it does for LGA 775. If the adapter is simple, though, we could probably get the machine shop to make one.
I'm not sure whether our objective is max clock speed or max performance, which is why there are two possible systems (though it's not infeasible we'll be getting both). Given the objectives of max performance and clock frequency, are these the best components we could be using?
I started by considering AMD dual-cores, AMD quad-cores, Intel Core 2 Duos, Intel Core 2 Quads, and Intel Core i7s as platforms. I've since narrowed this field to either a Core 2 Duo or a Core i7 - the Core 2 Duo has the advantage of raw clock speed (which is surprising; unlocked Core 2 Duos haven't been around since 65nm), while the Core i7 seems to have the advantage of raw performance.
Here are my proposals for each CPU:
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 965
Asus Rampage II Extreme X58
G.Skill PI 3 GB DDR3-2000
Intel Core 2 Duo 8600
Asus Maximus II Formula
G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2-1200
The PSU will be the BFG LS-550, because it has ample wattage and, according to the [H] review, phenominal voltage stability and reliability.
One thing to consider is the compatibility of the phase change unit. I'm pretty sure the Prometeia Mach II GT is the unit we'll be using, though it may soon be replaced by a multi-stage unit. As far as I know, an adapter for this unit does not exist for LGA 1336, but it does for LGA 775. If the adapter is simple, though, we could probably get the machine shop to make one.
I'm not sure whether our objective is max clock speed or max performance, which is why there are two possible systems (though it's not infeasible we'll be getting both). Given the objectives of max performance and clock frequency, are these the best components we could be using?