Planning a Core i7 build - Extreme?

R

RanceJustice

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Hello all. The time has come again while people are pestering me to figure out something I'd like for xmas. I've been thinking if it would be worthwhile to move onto a Core i7 architecture. I typically like to buy the "revolutionary" step forward, and then hold onto it for quite a long time. Using the data I've found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Nehalem_(microarchitecture) - am I correct in asserting that from now until Westmere's introduction in 4th quarter 2009 or later, the Core i7 Extreme 965 is going to be the most powerful processor available? Is my information correct that Intel has launched the top of the line way before the mainstream and value segment, thus giving a long lead time for those of us willing to buy 1366 socket gear now?

I'm also reading that the X58 chipset boards will have a long lifespan as well, as there doesn't appear to be the multitudes of new chipsets launching frequently we've seen in the Core 2 days?

In addition, I've seen that the i7 can be a massive overclocker - I see that others have chosen non-Extreme i7s and am wondering if I should do the same. Last generation I couldn't rationalize the price point, but with the overwhelming architecture change (the Extreme seems to have a better QPI?) I was wondering if there was enough of a difference to be worthwhile?

Opinions are welcome.

At the moment I'm considering -

Intel Core i7 (920, OCed) or 965 Extreme (Also OCed)
Asus Rampage II Formula - (I'm guessing P6T6 WS Revolution is massive overkill and impossibly priced)
6gb DDR3 - Corsair Dominator?

The rest will come from my current build in the sig, most likely. Thanks again!
 
Just a pure personal opinion, but I'd go with an i7 920 rather than a 965 Extreme and put the money elsewhere, where it could do better. I personally have an i7 920 and she OC's beautifully - 4.0ghz on air at just 1.30v with more to spare. As far as the RAM you're considering, I, too, have a set of 6 GB Corsair Dominator (DDR3 1600) and have no complaints. You 'oughta put it all in a ABS Canyon 695 case (rebranded Lian Li PC-X2000).. there's a ridiculous amount of room in here, it's one beautiful case. :D

-R
 
I second going with the 920 and OC'ing it. 90% probability that the minimum OC you'll achieve is 3.6GHz, with 3.8 to 4.0GHz very likely as well. My 920 does 3.6 easily - although I'm running it day to day at 4.0GHz without 100% stability yet (occasional blue screens still).

I can't justify paying almost 4x as much for the 965 when I don't think it'll max out much higher than the OC on a 920.
 
Another vote to forget the Extreme Edition chip. The 920 OCs well enough and is stupid-fast enough that the $1000+ price premium on the 965 EE is just... madness. Do /not/ get the 965.
 
All right. I'll definitely select the 920 and save myself a bundle. Any motherboard suggestions? Rampage II seems to be top of the line, and I've had nothing but positive experiences on my Maximus II.

Will my TRUE-Black thermalright provide sufficient cooling until I can get a water setup? Or is there some reason its design wouldn't work with the new socket?
 
You'll need an adapter plate for the TRUE -- ~$8 I think? -- but it's pretty much the best air cooler in the world (within reason) so it should be perfectly fine until you go to water, if you decide that's necessary at all.

I'd personally go with something other than ASUS as I've had horrible experiences with the RMA department, but it's really personal preference at this point. The Gigabyte MAX board looks /slick/, though the HSF for the northbridge/southbridge is likely overkill of the most extreme sort.

At the end of the day, it would seem that there's really no such thing as a "bad" X58, at least not yet.

EDIT: Side note, but important -- you do realize that, in so far as gaming, you will see almost zero improvement (and possibly even a few FPS lost) with the i7 in comparison to your current overclocked Q6600, correct? Unless you do a great deal of video encoding / editing, I'd wait a while for prices to drop further.
 
Xaeos said:
All right. I'll definitely select the 920 and save myself a bundle. Any motherboard suggestions? Rampage II seems to be top of the line, and I've had nothing but positive experiences on my Maximus II.

Will my TRUE-Black thermalright provide sufficient cooling until I can get a water setup? Or is there some reason its design wouldn't work with the new socket?
Click to expand...

I have the ASUS P6T motherboard. Love it. I'm coming from an ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe, which I also loved.. so that's why I went with a P6T this time around. I'm using a TRUE 120 "Extreme", same thing as the 'Black', AFAIK. Sufficient enough cooling to get me to 4.0ghz @ 1.30 volt, as said above. Also, if you already have the TRUE 120, you'll need an LGA1366 bolt-down kit.

-R
 
Xaeos said:
All right. I'll definitely select the 920 and save myself a bundle. Any motherboard suggestions? Rampage II seems to be top of the line, and I've had nothing but positive experiences on my Maximus II.

Will my TRUE-Black thermalright provide sufficient cooling until I can get a water setup? Or is there some reason its design wouldn't work with the new socket?
Click to expand...

I just put my new right together last night. Core i7 920, TRUE Black, 1336 Bolt-through kit, and a 80CFM fan. I'm only running it at stock speeds at the moment, but 26C temps is a good indicator to me ;)
 
extreme edition just isn't worth the extra payout when you can clock a 920 to the same speed.
 
I really don't think you're running 26C with a core i7 on air, unless it's undervolted/clocked and/or idle.

Cooling is very important for core i7 overclocking. Spend some of the money you saved buying a 920 on cooling. Water makes a lot of sense, if you're up to it.
 
schizo said:
I really don't think you're running 26C with a core i7 on air, unless it's undervolted/clocked and/or idle.

Cooling is very important for core i7 overclocking. Spend some of the money you saved buying a 920 on cooling. Water makes a lot of sense, if you're up to it.
Click to expand...

Well obviously I was referring to idle temps. I've OC'ed to 3.6Ghz now and it seems to be Prime95 stable at 66C on the hottest core. This is with 1.3V VCore, which I think I can lower.
 
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