New Video Editing Build - AMD vs. Intel

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kg2010

kg2010

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Jun 6, 2010
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I've always built my systems in the past, but the last system I built was like 5 years ago,
and it did very well for my needs, and then my current computer which is an HP 1600n and it
really SUCKS! It was given to me a few months ago, so I can't really complain about
what I spent on it. 😉 However, the wasted time and frustration with this computer,
has set back my productivity in many ways.

Anyway - it's time for a new computer, I have tried replacing ram 3 times, with Kingston,
generic brand, and no 2 sticks ever work together - only 1 Memory stick is recognized,
at any given time, and the motherboard only accepts 1 GB sticks, which makes everything
run SLOWWWLY - constant freezing, Premiere Pro won't even anymore.

I'm tired of trying to upgrade and troubleshoot this computer, and I'm just done dealing with it,
I have some projects that I'm working on now, and they involve video editing, as well as an overall
very well functioning computer that will not freeze and in turn slow me down.

I am looking for an overall well functioning computer that will perform when I multi task,
and will handle all tasks I throw at it quickly.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: NOW

Budget: $1500 - $2000 MAX

Country of Origin: Canada

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Video Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro CS5, Photoshop and other office applications.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Doesn't matter, willing to order online, or purchase at a
retail store. The quicker I can get my hands on a system the better.

PARTS PREFERENCES: I need to have a Quad Core system, I'm looking into an i7 930,
6 GB - 12 GB RAM

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I have a Samsung 323T - Currently i'ts running at 1280 x 768 -
I know I may need a true 1080p monitor, and will upgrade IF I have to, I really like my 32" screen now.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I am looking at a few options right now.

Option 1 Now - UPDATED list:

The build has been purchased! I have some final research to finalize, and it's in regards to upgrading to a better card now, instead of upgrading later. Considering a GTX 470 or a 5870 card, since they're around a $50 difference.

The GTX 470 seems to run way too hot - but is a way better performer than the 5850.

i7 930 + ASUS P6X58D-E

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB 1600c7

120 GB SSD OCZ Vertex Series - Boot Drive

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 TB

ZOTAC GeForce GTS 250

CORSAIR HX Series CMPSU-650HX ( If I upgrade - I'll need 750w )

NH-D14 Cooler + 2 x 140mm Noctua NF-P14 Exhaust fans + 120mm rear fan - will get 2 x 120mm fans for front intake.

Samsung DVD Burner

CM 690 II Advanced

----------

Additional Notes:

Gaming is not that important to me on the PC as I have an Xbox 360, along
with a 47" 1080p LCD where all the gaming is done in the basement, plus,
these days, I don't really have time to play games.

My time is better spent working, and taking care of my family.

Although it'll be nice to play games on it once in a while, this will NOT be the primary focus
for this computer.

My main focus is to have a powerful Computer that can chew through all tasks I throw at it,
where I can do video editing without a hitch, with room to grow and expand if needed.

Any suggestions, feedback, and opinions on which option I should go with are welcomed.

...........

Whoa, sorry about all this info guys, I am doing thorough research right now, as I need to get
my hands on a new system asap.

Thanks in advance!
 
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Thanks

these boards are pretty much identical, except for the:

--> Dual 10/100/1000Mbps
and according to Newegg, only the premium Supports Intel Turbo Boost Technology

and of course

The premium has:
3 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (at x16/x8/x8 or x16/x16/x1 mode)

vs

3 (@ x16/x8/x8 or x16/x16/x1)

After I choose the motherboard, I'm pretty much set to go.

Thanks Alvin and Gkay09, you 2 have been very helpful with your feedback and opinions, I really appreciate your help!
 
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^ Well you are seeing it wrong...

1. Dual 10/100/1000Mbps refers to the LAN - -E has a single LAN chipset whereas the Premium has 2(Dual)
2. Intel Turbo boost feature is the like I said common to all boards as the i7 CPUs have them...So even the -E support them...newegg makes mistakes too...
Check from the ASUS site itself...
http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=gFBKfNyhppW9tDbB&templete=2
http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=wurRaDZ8lo4Ckukj&templete=2
3. Just the number "3" in the -E means the same - 3x PCIe 2.0 x16...

Hope you get it now...
Glad we could help...
 
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So basically, there's no major difference between the Premium and the -E?

Dual Lan? I don't need. The speed of my Internet is limited to 1.1MB/s downloading, and 1 Lan port can handle that easily.

What are the other major differences between the 2, do you know?

Also, on the -E, one notable difference is that they have fixed the SATA raid support, it's something that couldn't be done on the Premium. I don't plan on having 2 SSD's in RAID, but this could help others. 😉

It seems that the -E is the way to go at $55 cheaper.

Now, I'm just doing some final comparisons of the GA-X58A-UD5, and will be pretty much set to go!

Thanks a lot for all the feedback and advice.
 
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Thanks - I have looked at the UD3R - and there's too much negativity around it, especially with DOA's - plus, I've found reviews of users who have upgraded from UD3R to the UD5 and said they received much better OC performance by getting an i920 to 4.2 GHZ, which could never be accomplished with the UD3R.

The price of the UD3R is great - but I'd rather pay the extra $30 - $50 knowing the motherboard will have better overall performance.

I've narrowed it down to the UD5 vs -E

It's a toss up between the 2
 
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Well, I am sure that the UD5 will do ya just fine ... *IF* spending more makes you feel any better.

For the sake of "enlightenment", tho ... Please do realize that the UD3 is more of a main-stream (popular) board and that FOUR TIMES as many noobs buy the UD3 as the UD5 ... What you are seeing (in the user reviews .. "worst first") is that a lot of noobs are arrogant little peckers and cannot admit that they have no clue !!!

I'd bet your extra $30 that 80% of those DOAs are "Dim-witted, Oblivious Asses" ...

Here on egg.usa, we have 240 reviews for the UD3 and 60 reviews for the UD5 ... a four to one ratio where MOST of the UD5 customers are "old timer" OCers and know how to assemble a PC.

Just for the record ... Consider the statistical proportions and the demographics of that respective user-base.

Just being a "pill", here.

= yer pal, Al =
 
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Perhaps, there 4 times as many reviews, simply because it's a board that is $50 cheaper to get, was $80 cheaper before, and therefore within more people's budgets? ( some food for thought )

The only clear differences I find between the 2 are:
Extra power phases, extra Ethernet port, buttons, a readout, extra pipe line for the heatsinks, and better heatsinks.

I've been burned too many times going the cheaper route, and that's why I'm being so methodical about this build, as I don't want to have any regrets later. 😉 I would much rather pay an extra $50 now, then have regrets later.

The UD5 isn't faultless either, but most of the gripes are with i7-980x users, which wouldn't post with their processor, and requires a BIOS upgrade, and this doesn't apply to me. The other major issue seems to be fixed in a bios upgrade as well.

Plus the slot design doesn't leave much room for 2 video cards, for now, this doesn't apply to me either, but lately I've been thinking that I may want to play games on this down the road, and would upgrade to a dual GPU set up. But for now, that's not my focus, and I only require one GPU.

Check out this thread:
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=642861

People's opinions are so mixed when it comes to this topic, I wish it was a lot clearer. :)

I think that no matter what, either board is going to be great.
 
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how much total ram ?

The reason I ask is that, if you EVER want to go to 12GB ... you prolly SHOULD get 3 of these dual ch kits, for your rig ... now ... rather than those TALL ones ...

YOU WOULD NEED THREE OF THESE KITS, FOR 6 TOTAL MODULES (MUCH CHEAPER TOO!). at $109 x 3 = $327 for 12GB !!! >>>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

.... I decided that the TALL sinks were for gamers who want MAX OC but are never gonna fill the slot next to their gigantic heatsinks ....

.... This eco series is NOT available as a "tested" 3 channel kit but, from the timings, I am guessing that it is the same chips as the monster sinks ... It may not be able to pull the zact same loads, with the same temps but MORE RAM is better than faster ram ...

... Just for your consideration ... if there is any risk, I (personally) would go for these, anyway, as max mem capacity is more important than a tiny bit more speed.

They WILL work ... just a matter of how fast ... they should certainly clock better than any 1333c9 modules.

= Al =
 
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Thanks for the recommendation, these are Dual Channel though, and I was looking for Tri-Channel for the 1366 socket.... How much of a difference will that make? I was planning on 6GB now, and 6 GB later, from that other RAM you showed me...
 
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The RAM does not "know" if it is dual or triple channel ... It is just how they are bundled and marketed (priced).

my recommendation ... go with the FULL 12GB of the ECO ram, now ... TOTAL of $330 ... OR ... Get 6GB of the TALL ram and realize that there *might* be clearance issues, with a number of coolers, if you try to use the nearest RAM slot ... TOTAL (6GB) of ~$289 (these are all USA pricing, BTW).

You seem so carefull and wanting to avoid issues ...

... thing is ... if you wait until many months, from now, to upgrade the RAM, it may be difficult to find EXACT MATCHING TIMINGS ... you REALLY DO need to get the exact same modules, to achieve triple channel operation on all 6 slots.

Go with 12GB, of the eco, now ... 3x(2x2GB) ... this WILL WORK ... worst possible case is that you (just maybe) ... *might* need to boost the RAM voltage by one to three hundredths of one volt, in order to acheive "rock solid stability" at the rated timings .l.. that is the WORST CASE.

= Al = cheaper mobo = more ram !

 
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cool - checking it out now! The reviews on this are great, although not that many, but if it's quiet, and keeps things cool, for under $40, that's GREAT!

Any idea if there will be clearance issues with this cooler.

I was pretty set on getting 12 GB of tri-channel memory. 2 ( 3 x 2gb ) kits

..........

I was looking at getting this cooler:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608019&cm_re=noctua-_-35-608-019-_-Product

saw a few people with i7-930 builds using it, and mentioning that it worked well in their Gigabyte mobo's

I'm almost done comparing stuff, and I'm ready to buy, as I need to build this computer asap. :)

I'm not sure how it happened, but my comparison with Gigabyte vs Asus, Gigabyte won, and I'm now leaning towards the UD3R thanks to you and gkay. I'm not 100% sold yet - but getting there - once I decide the MOBO, it's time to order!

I've had had some sh*tty experiences with getting some computer parts, and the stores have a no refund policy, and if you're lucky they'll give you store credit. IF you're lucky.

The last RAM I purchased ,as my last ditch attempt to make this current computer function better again, ended up frying and the ram chips literally burnt off, and left me with 3 dead DIMM slots, they wouldn't return the ram, or give me money back, and I ended up with a stupid store credit. This just happened a couple weeks ago, which led me onto this new build. 😉

btw - thanks for putting up with me, and helping me with this build! I really appreciate it. 😉
 
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^ That Zalman CPU cooler is pretty good and also it is not as wide as other Coolers, so I doubt you would have clearance issues...

RAM - As Alvin said, you can populate even dual-channel kits on that mobo...The memory running in Dual or Tri, depends on how you populate the slots...
And I would suggest you to go with a lower speed tighter timings RAM rather than higher speeds RAMs...
Reason - When you populate all the 6 RAM slots, then 6 sticks have to share limited bandwidth and hence difficult to set higher speeds...but easier to set lower speeds with tighter timings, which would compensate for the loss in speed...
This is also one of the reasons why I still suggest 3x 4GB kits...Easier to run them @ higher speeds as only 3 slots would be populated, allows for future upgrade of RAM...

Mobo - If you will be spending on the UD5, rather get the Premium as many are satisfied with that board...
And just for the info...saw this MSI's new board ??
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130289
http://www.guru3d.com/article/msi-big-bang-x58-xpower-review/1
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1327/3/
 
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SWEET - I was reading about this board earlier today on CPU mag, here's their mini-review...

Why we dig it: First, it has an imposting name... Second, it supports up to four graphics cards in crossfire or SLI, which you can install into your choice of the six PCI-E slots. MSI also includes a Quantum Wave Audiocard for 7.1 surround sound that fits into the board's PCI-E x1 slot.

Who should apply: People looking for a motherboard that can support three or more graphics cards and als offers a variety of extra connectivity options,such as the boards's 6Gbps and eSata ports.

----------

this is a MEAN looking board - and definitely future proof -

I am going with a single GPU for now, and possible DUAL GPU in the future - this may be too much board for my needs at $90 more than the UD3R - but I do love the future proofing, 'cuz you never down the line😉

I am glued to the review right now, so .. we'll see ...

I was actually contemplating the UD3R today after you and Al and Tomshardware highly recommend it.

And now, yet again, I'm thrown another curve ball!

THANKS!
 
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I'm gonna double post, and I DON'T CARE

This board is phenomenal - it may be too much MOBO for me right now - but what's not to like about it? This is the most advanced, future proof, and feature rich board at this price range, I'm not even sure what to compare it to?

And that's a GOOD thing!

Now, IF I went with this board - are your RAM recommendations still the same? ( Gkay & Al )

I still don't quite understand the logic ( benefits ) of going with Dual Channel Memory, when one of the big selling points of x58 and i7 processors is Tri-Channel Memory. ( Besides price of course. 😉

Al, what do you think of this?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118052&cm_re=ZALMAN_CNPS10X-_-35-118-052-_-Product

I'm always looking at the next step up - LOL

----------

The dfference in price for the 2 builds is...

UD3R + i7930 = $1,648.03

Updated Build with MSI Big Bang $1769.39 with Tax, S & H:

 
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I agree - my needs "may" change in the future - since this is becoming such a great system, I may get 2 high end graphics cards down the road, and in the other set ups I've seen, they seem very cramped, even in the ud5.

IF I went with this board - are your RAM recommendations still the same?

I still don't quite understand the logic ( benefits ) of going with Dual Channel Memory, when one of the big selling points of x58 and i7 processors is Tri-Channel Memory. ( Besides price of course. 😉 )
 
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^ My RAM recommendations stay the same...

And as for your question about the Dual Channel, let me explain...

1. Dual or Tri- Channel has nothing to do with the RAM, but with the memory controller on the CPU

i7 9xx CPUs - Tri-Channel memory controller
i5/ i7 8xx/ AMD CPUs - Dual-Channel memory controller

2. RAM sticks that are available as Dual Channel kit or Tri-Channel kits are same only the number of sticks differ...

3. For CPUs having Dual-Channel memory controllers, you need to populate either 2 or 4 RAM sticks for them to work in Dual-Channel config and for CPUs with Tri-Channel memory controllers, you need to populate either 3 or 6 RAM sticks for them to work in Tri-Channel config . So it depends on the number of RAM sticks that you populate.

So you can buy 2x single sticks with similar speed and timings, which run with similar voltages, and use them in dual-Channel mode...the dual-channel kits are packed by manufacturers with 2 similar sticks so that people dont have to buy 2 components...Same applies with Tri-Channel kits(3 RAM sticks, where you can buy 3 separate RAM sticks with similar speeds, voltages and use them on X58 boards and they would run in Tri-Channel)

hope you got it...

And as for the CPU cooler...
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010110574%201370826092%204025&page=2&bop=And&CompareItemList=574|35-118-059^35-118-059-TS,35-233-029^35-233-029-S01,35-103-057^35-103-057-S01,35-185-142^35-185-142-TS

And dont get the AS5...get this one...Electrically non-conductive unlike the AS5 and also performs better...
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020
 
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ahhhh - ok- I see what you mean - I haven't seen ANY i7 builds using this type of RAM - all the reiews are for i3 & i5 processors. But I get what you're saying....

Why aren't more i7 builds using this?

-------

When I click on that CPU cooler link you sent me, I get:

You must first designate which items to compare by clicking on the appropriate check box in the product listing.

Can you send me the actual product info?

I will be happy to OC to 3.8 GHZ - 4 GHZ - I don't need a crazy OC that will generate extra heat or anything like that.

I've added this guy to my cart. :)
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound
 
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Bad Links? ... Right click and "open in new tab".
ALSO ! Cut and paste the (bold-faced) part description, along with each link !

... Finally ... You can right-click the "properties" of the link and read the link (some clues)

Like .. I know kg posted a noctua and a Zahlman cooler, but I dint know which models.

Anyway ... I got that Zahlman 120mm (vertical stack) cooler and TWO of these fans (for the CPU) ... The original Zahlman fan will get pointed at my two Zotac 240s.


Scythe GentleTyphoon D1225C12B3AP-13 120mm Case Fan $16.99

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185090&cm_re=gentle_typhoon-_-35-185-090-_-Product

 
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