i7 860 setup for video editing.

[Deadtrees]

I was quite okay with my current Q6600 @ 3.2 ghz setup until I got myself into this video editing thing. When rendering 2 min. of video took an hour, I realized i7 is needed and luckily my gf is looking for a new computer. Basically, I can sell her my current comp. and get a new one.

I did some research and below is what I came up with. Keep it mind I'm in Canada and prices are in CDN $ (the site I'm getting everything is www.directcanada.com)

CPU - i7 860 - $326
Mainboard - ASUS P7P55D - $154.98
RAM - 2 sets of 2x2gb - Not decided -
VGA - Not decided
HDD - Samsung F3 1TB - $100
ODD - LG GH22LS40 - $36
Case - Antec 300 Mini Tower - $62
Power - OCZ StealthExtreme 500W 135mm Fan - $53

1. Mainboard:
The mainboard is the one that'll support SATA3 and USB3 and it's expected to be out by Nov. So far, it's the only mainboard that is coming out shortly with such features. Are there others?

2. RAM
I'm planning to push i7 860 all the way up to 4Ghz, if possible. For that, Is PC3 12800 enough? Is 9-9-9-24 @ 1.5v too slow?

3. VGA
I don't game. In fact, I'm 100% okay with current 8600GT but I'm looking for something that's considered as the best deal card that's around $100. I was thinking about ATI cards but those video editing guys insist on using nVidia cards. Are they being ignorant or is it true?

4. Cooler
What's the BEST cooler for i7 860?

If you have any recommandations or thoughts, please let me know. And, Thanks! in advance.

EDIT: Changed motherboard to ASUS P7P55D from the Gigabyte one.

 

[BaboonGuy]

I do a lot of video editing and if I were you I would without a doubt I would go for socket 1366. The biggest reasoning is that 6 core is guaranteed to be coming to 1366, and you'll be able to upgrade to it when the time comes (that is, when you're ready for it). As you know, video editing utilizes all cores and hyper-threading, so 6 cores will be a godsend. For the CPU now I would buy a Xeon W3520 D0: http://www.tankguys.com/proces.../intel-xeon-w3520.html

It's essentially the Xeon server version of the i7 920, which means higher quality silicon, and better overclocking potential. You didn't mention overclocking but I say you really really should. With that chip you should be able to hit 4GHz with hyper threading... really nice. The best air cooler is the Prolimatech Megahalems. Good luck.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

1366

 

[Deadtrees]

I'm going to stick with 1156 socket because moving to 1366 costs me extra $100. Also, I know I'll do a whole upgrade once 32nm processors, USB 3.0, and SATA3 come along. In other words, I'll be using this setup a few years as always (2 yrs. minimum) and by the time I upgrade, it'd be better for me to do a whole system change.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

get a 920 from MC for $200.

 

[California Roll]

If you plan on upgrading from a Q6600, I'd recommend going 1366 also. An overclocked Q6600 is still plenty fine for video editing (my sig). If you're basically building a new system anyways (cpu,mobo,ram) instead of an incremental upgrade, why go halfway? Especially if it's only a $100 difference. That's my plan anyways.

 

[Knavish]

Originally posted by: BaboonGuy

It's essentially the Xeon server version of the i7 920, which means higher quality silicon, and better overclocking potential. You didn't mention overclocking but I say you really really should. With that chip you should be able to hit 4GHz with hyper threading... really nice. The best air cooler is the Prolimatech Megahalems. Good luck.

As far as I have read, this is pure speculation. Does Intel claim this? Has anyone ever tested a bunch of 920s vs. 3520s (all from different lots) and shown that the 3520 actually overclocks better?

 

[BaboonGuy]

Originally posted by: Knavish

Originally posted by: BaboonGuy

It's essentially the Xeon server version of the i7 920, which means higher quality silicon, and better overclocking potential. You didn't mention overclocking but I say you really really should. With that chip you should be able to hit 4GHz with hyper threading... really nice. The best air cooler is the Prolimatech Megahalems. Good luck.

As far as I have read, this is pure speculation. Does Intel claim this? Has anyone ever tested a bunch of 920s vs. 3520s (all from different lots) and shown that the 3520 actually overclocks better?

http://www.overclock.net/intel...-results-i7-920-a.html

Lacking a larger sample size to be sure... I've never seen an official statement from Intel re: binning higher quality chips for server use but then again I've never looked for one... it seems to be the case though from the link above.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Can I chime in?

I'd say the SATA/USB 3 feature is not really worth the extra cash, at the moment.

Simply put, I'm sure that once these standards are finalized, and we'll see true market availability, several makes and models of add-on cards are bound to also appear. But that could be another 6 months away. Under these circumstances, I'd go for the best bang for the buck NOW.

There's nothing really wrong with ATI cards - in fact, their best models in the 4xxx and 5xxx series are both cheaper and faster than most nVidia counterparts at this point. It's a question of habit, rather than anything else.

Like you, I'm Canadian. Like you, I'm dabbing in HD video editing and processing, and I'll be very interested to see what you'll end up getting. Please continue to keep us updated.