Max Builds a PC Series Part II: The CPU

Posted By: Max Zuckerman | Dec 10th, 2007 @ 11:47 AM

Looks like we have a close race in the case selection with the camps generally siding with either a lian-li or an antec solution (I tallied 6 votes for each). I'm going to leave the discussion open on that one still while starting the new--sure to be a heated discussion--thread:

What CPU should we use???!?!?

I'm going to leave this one a little more open ended instead of starting you off with two great choices, I will give you some pointers.

Pointer 1: Intel and AMD are the current giants in the CPU space. While there are others still in the game, for our build I would rather stick with the more mainstream choices.

Pointer 2: While clock speed may have been the deciding factor in years past, these days there are more features to consider such as cores and cache.

Pointer 3: Both Intel and AMD have different front side bus architectures and memory controller placements... for example Intel currently offers 1066MHz and 1333MHz FSB options. AMD utilizes what they call "hypertransport" and have recently released their new version with their Spider platform.

Pointer 4: Don't forget thermal and power requirements... an Intel Extreme Edition chip may be fast, but it sure is power hungry and requires a good cooling solution. The new AMD Phenom is quad core and has a surprisingly low thermal envelope...

Point 5: well don't just sit there... comment COMMENT COMMENT!

PS: original rules here.

Tags: cpu, max builds a pc series, processor

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platinumacetric

This is gonna be difficult since the case has not been chosen and we have no idea if this system will be used for overclocking. but even with out the known situation we will all agree that it has to be an Intel CPU. As much as AMD has show good efforts it's still trailing behind intel with dual and quad core cpus.

If the Antec case is chosen i wil suggest going with the intel Q6700 - it's a quad core uses about 85 watts of power and generally produces more heat than the dual core. plus you get at least 15 - 20% increase in clock speed if over clocked. = $539

with the Lian pc case your best bet is with the intel dual core 2 E6700 = $319. This processor is out standing and can easily be over clocked to 3.0 ghz + plus it uses less power overall and there by reduce on heat..

now if choosing a proccesor then you need to choose a cpu fan. and no doubt the zalman CNPS9500 = $49

peace

littleguru

I would go with a high end Intel Quad Core Extreme Edition. A power beast. I know that this is much, but I really would love to try out the demos that are coming with the PFX (Parallel Framework for .NET) - see how that framework works with a monster CPU. Right now I have a single core (Pentium M) which is rather slow and the PFX doesn't work at all on it.

I wouldn't go with the AMD (Phenom) one, because they seem to have some problems (like there is even a Phenom bug that only can be solved with serious kernel hacking - at least in Linux, I don't know how they fixed it in Windows) and they seem to hang a little bit behind Intel with the newer chips... I also know that with the newer versions of the Phenom that bug is going to be solved: but who tells us that we got one of the newer chips?

To sum it up: I'm all for an Intel Quad Core Extreme Edition - it mustn't be the highest end, but one that is in the higher end range would be nice to have!

dcuccia

In reply to littleguru

#Dec 10th, 2007 @ 3:07 PM

A mild overclock w/ Conroe is so easy and stable...I'd just get a Q6600 (the new one with G0 stepping) for <$300 and run it at 3GHz w/ stock cooling.

This whole game is backwards, though. Once you decide the platform (Chipzilla/DAMMIT), start with the motherboard silly...defines desired form factor, features, price point, OC'ability...

Trix

Well, AMD is simply out of the question at this point in time. And for future games and applications, video encoding and other digital lifestyle needs, a quad core will probably "last the longest". I'd go for the high end Intel Q6850.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115026

256kb Level 1 cache and 8mb of Level 2 cache, good stuff.

You could always go crazy and build a dual xeon machine, but I rekon a single quad will be the best bet.

Remember Intel has speedstep, and VIsta supports it, it doesn't have to run at 3.0Ghz 100% of the time.

I know it is expensive but it is what it is, top of the line.

If not the top of the line insane extreme edition...then any of these will do.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=50001157+40000343+1050727216&name=Core+2+Quad

There isn't much difference between them, they are all the same architecture, just different speeds.

Bottom line, go Intel, go Quad. AMD is alright, but they are...subpar.

Max

I'm not sure if I will perform any overclocking or if I will leave that up to the winning recipient so he/she can share with us all the results... I'm leaning towards the latter.

dcuccia: I agree that the platform needs to be chosen but I figured by deciding between Intel and AMD, we would then figure out if we want a P35, X38, or whatnot... I see the MB and CPU decision as interchangeable. If you want just to keep you in suspense, we could do the optical drive next Wink

Trix: I think I agree a quad-core would be nice, but I'm not convinced it's necessary even looking out for the next 2 or 3 years. Heck, 64 bit has been around for how long now and I still refuse to run it due to driver support issues......

AndreBoi

An Intel Q6700 offers good performance at a decent price.

platinumacetric

Since overclocking might not be an issue then either choose the Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 or the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700. the intel core 2 extreme easily destroys any of the quad core processors but it comes with a hefty power requirment. besides as you stated very few software at the moment really uses all the cores of the processor. Even Games these days are more graphic intensive than actual CPU intensive. If this pc is not going to be future proof then stick with any intel core 2 duo processor and skip the quad line

Trix

Max, I totally enjoy Vista x64, it runs my Autodesk Inventor 2008 (I'm an engineering student at OSU, kind of a required use program) noticably faster. I'd sure love to see what a quad core would do to that...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4Ui27FU2qM

But I mean I think honestly you should probably just get the cheapest Q6600 then. I bet whoever wins this will overclock anyways. Plus it is the cheapest.

As for the chipset, I am a fan of the P35 chipset, X38 is so similar I do not know if it really matters. I've always liked nvidia chipsets as well, they seem more "enthusiast oriented". But I'll leave that for the motherboard discussion.

Max

In reply to Trix

#Dec 10th, 2007 @ 11:13 PM

Trix: good points all around. I'm very excited to hear someone that really loves Vista 64 bit. You're right that high end engineering and design applications really do take advantage of 64 bit OSes and multiple cores.

OSU... Ohio or Oklahoma??