Planning for upgrade

[nimbyfaygo]

I'm going to purchase my new system in the next week or so. And after doing some research I'm at a stall.
I am budgeting myself 2k max for the purchase. I'll be needing the following.

Motherboard
CPU(s)
Ram
GPU
Cooling solution.

I already have a case, new TX850, dvd drive, hard drive, and OS.

I see an SR2 board with 2 E5530's being doable. Or a good 970 setup. I have some time to do research on price/performance before I buy anything. But I wanted to get some advice from the people here to see if there are any "special" combos floating around I don't know about.
This will be my main system, and it will be used pretty regularly. Usually nothing very heavy, some encoding here and there, some gaming, and regular web usage.
At least I'll be able to offload the Citrix and web server to my secondary system.

I really am leaning to an SR2. I love the idea of dual sockets, and it will be a new challenge to make it fit neatly in a Macpro case

 

[SazanEyes]

If you really want an SR-2, go for it. You'll probably max out your budget. However, the difference in computing power between a dual-quad SR-2 system and a nice hex i7 (which should overclock much easier) isn't that big. The i7 box will only cost about half as much for mobo, RAM, and cooling, and it's much easier to fit into a case.

 

[musky]

An SR-2 would give you a bit of an upgrade path (dual quads to dual hexes) that you wouldn't have with a 970 system. They (dual 5530 SR-2 and 970) would be surprising close ppd-wise. The SR-2 would give you more potential memory slots if that matters. A nice 970 rig would be well under your budget, where an SR-2 would barley make it. Let's just say that you won't be disappointed with either.

Other options:

- L5640 or E5645 hex cores - they are out there. You won't get them for under $400 like the majority around here were purchased for, but sub-$500 should be possible (an E5645 just went for $460 on ebay earlier this week.)

- single hex SR-2 - seems like blasphemy around here, but you could get a single X5650 or something and an SR-2 and be close to your price range. That gives you a very easy upgrade path.

 

[capreppy]

As I am considering this same topic, if I were to go Quads, I would seriously consider the E5620 over the E5530. This the westmere version of the E5530. Same clocks, more L3 cache and most important: CHEAPER

 

[W.Feather]

i think musky has something.....do a single hex SR-2 for now, and save up for the 2nd....that way you get the most BA Xeon out there now.....and can get another later, best of both words, since its performance on its own will be spectacular, and when you get em both youc an give MIBW's #1 machine a run for its money

 

[nimbyfaygo]

I appreciate the advice. It's going to seem that I have quite a bit of work ahead of me just so I can find the best combo.
Not to mention I have to look up all the xeons. There is just way too many different model names, it's all pretty confusing.

I do like the idea of an SR2 with single hex. Then sometime after the holidays I could start considering getting the 2nd CPU.

 

[W.Feather]

tell me about it......i dont ahve any and i can only keep track of like 3 models once i get told another i lose another

If your looking for upgrade oportinities, then a SR-2 Route(either dual quad or single hex) is your best option, a 970 will get nice points, but is low on the upgrade options.....

 

[jebo_4jc]

As I am considering this same topic, if I were to go Quads, I would seriously consider the E5620 over the E5530. This the westmere version of the E5530. Same clocks, more L3 cache and most important: CHEAPER

The E5620 appears to be a clear winner to me. It's also 32nm, which in my experience translates into 10% cooler temps and 10% less power usage.

 

[musky]

The E5620 appears to be a clear winner to me. It's also 32nm, which in my experience translates into 10% cooler temps and 10% less power usage.

The only way it would not be a winner is if SR-2s for some reason have an issue with dual Westmeres in general and over 200 bclk. We have a ton of Westmere hexes around here, and about the best bclk I have seen is 202. I was running 208 bclk with dual Gainstowns, and I think Kendrak and Vaulter were higher than that. The only dual quad Westmere system we have around here is/was jebo's, and I don't think it saw over 190 bclk.

 

[jebo_4jc]

I had it booting around 205 iirc, but could only keep it fah stable around 190

 

[zero2dash]

I do like the idea of an SR2 with single hex. Then sometime after the holidays I could start considering getting the 2nd CPU.

Very very good idea. Disable the other cpu (empty socket), run it with 1 until you get a 2nd.
You can just get ram for 1 cpu as well, works the same way. When you disable the cpu via jumper, I believe it also disables the ram slots for that individual cpu.

One more way to look at it...computing power/cpu power wise, you'll never need to buy a new machine, ever, once you have an SR-2. (especially if you go hex with HT)
Intel may come out with 8 core cpus in the future with or without HT, but most likely there will be a Xeon variant and it probably will work in the SR-2 with a bios update (and you know those would come). That was one of the things I told my wife when she asked "why", I told her I'd never need to build another computer. I don't see a point where dual cpus and 7 PCIe slots "won't be enough".

 

[jebo_4jc]

Very very good idea. Disable the other cpu (empty socket), run it with 1 until you get a 2nd.
You can just get ram for 1 cpu as well, works the same way. When you disable the cpu via jumper, I believe it also disables the ram slots for that individual cpu.

hmm....he might actually want to go ahead and buy 6 ram sticks now.

Just to ensure they will match once he upgrades to the 2nd cpu.

 

[zero2dash]

True...prices have finally come back down too, they may drop a little more but I'd almost bet the trend will hold steady or possibly go up again.

 

[jebo_4jc]

It's unfortunate 3x1GB kits aren't any cheaper.

3x1GB Corsair Dominator 1600 cas 8 is $90

3x2GB Corsair xms3 1600 cas 9 is only $30 more after MIR

Granted, the 6GB kit isn't quite as nice as the 3GB kit, but still....

 

[SazanEyes]

You can just get ram for 1 cpu as well, works the same way. When you disable the cpu via jumper, I believe it also disables the ram slots for that individual cpu.

This is true.

The "A2" SR-2 is in stock at Newegg and a couple other places. Looks like the shipment has arrived. I almost pulled the trigger but didn't. However, the price is bound to go up in the short term.

 

[Vaulter98c]

I had 210 stable for regular A3 units with my 5530's, but couldnt get over 207-208 stable in bigadv without exceeding safe voltages. that still put me at 3.9 and some change on dual quads, about 80k on good bigadv, 50k on the slow ones, give or take

If you wanted to go dual 5530's I'm sure someone here (cough) has some they'd sell for the same price as a single e5620, same multiplier too

just a thought...

EDIT
must have a sore throat...

 

[nimbyfaygo]

I made the jump and purchased the A2 SR-2 from newegg this morning. Everything seems to be in order for this build.

I have 2 e5530's that will be on the way soon, I know that they aren't the fastest out there, but it allows me to continue saving. I have also picked up 2 sets of Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600
And 2 Scythe Yasya scys-1000 I bought open box for almost half off. I don't have any clue about these heatsinks. I know that the reviews are favorable, the one that arrived looks very nice.
And considering the price I payed, I think they will be worth it
Hardocp review that included the scythe http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/07/15/q310_cpu_heat_sink_air_cooler_roundup/4.

Hopefully I'll have an update later in the week.