Best Core 2 Series Desktops-Results and Specs

[Matt Whritenour]

Originally Posted by 3ohm

Thanks, Sunburst. I haven't found ANY other chipset options so far; so will HAVE to make do. (Hopefully it will work.)

Are those Wolfdale CPUs compatible with ProTools7.3 & Mbox2? Have you heard anything about them? Or should I just stick with the 1066FSB CPUs like the E7200 & E6420?

I haven't read any other posts except this one, I have a Wolfdale E8400 3.0ghz PT7.4 002r Vista SP1, Asus P5N(I think the number is) mobo. 4 gigs corsair rame, Geforcee 8800GT

And it works great, hope that helps at all.

[3ohm]

Thanks Matt. That's encouraging.

I'm tempted to just 'bite the bullet' and get the E8400. Seeing as I can't use a quad core; I might as well go for the next best thing. Just trying to be cautious while I still can; before I invest in something that doesn't work for what I need.

[Matt Whritenour]

The E8400 is actually cheaper than the E6420.
I still feel really good about my computer purchase, I built it in the beginning of february and got a ton of sales/rebates (bought 90% of the stuff at Microcenter) And 5-6 months later the prices aren't much lower than what I paid. I got the E8400 on sale for $190 now it's $175 on new egg

[Matt Whritenour]

what do you know I figured I would check for the heck of it
Microcenter has the E8400 for $160
http://microcenter.com/single_produc...uct_id=0281097

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by Matt Whritenour

what do you know I figured I would check for the heck of it
Microcenter has the E8400 for $160
http://microcenter.com/single_produc...uct_id=0281097

True but at least by me Microcenter has had the Q6600 for 189.00. you will not regret spending the extra 19.00 for a Quad.

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by 3ohm

Thanks, Sunburst. I haven't found ANY other chipset options so far; so will HAVE to make do. (Hopefully it will work.)

Are those Wolfdale CPUs compatible with ProTools7.3 & Mbox2? Have you heard anything about them? Or should I just stick with the 1066FSB CPUs like the E7200 & E6420?

Without going and digging through the manual I am almost positive the P945 Chipset is limited to a FSB or 1066. So anything with a faster FSB is probably not going to work.

EDIT: CPU Support Listing

Even with a Eseries 1066FSB Core 2 Duo I'm sure this thing will rock. There were some recent issues with some P35 based Gigabyte boards and Nvidea video cards but I doubt that the older P945 based stuff was effected. You might want to consider a ATI card if you don't already have something.

FWIW I thought my P945 based build felt very snappy-Subjective I know but I build enough stuff to tell a differance even if its just a seat of the pants observation.

[3ohm]

Thanks for the advice; Sunburst. I'm normally more inclined towards the Geforce graphics range but if the Ati will ensure trouble free success; then I'll go for one of those. Could you recommend a 256/512MB card?

I've heard that my board CAN take a Q6600 Quad core chip eventhough it doesn't confirm it on the Gigabyte support page or in the manual (thanks for the link).

This board CAN also handle a 1333fsb chip but only with OverClocking. The Q6600 is pretty much the same price as the E8400; and the PC shop where I got my board is very adamant that it will handle the Quad. Should I risk it?

I've heard that Pro Tools will use ALL 4 Cores of a Quad. Considering the price difference; it might be worth it. If I buy the E8400; there's NO GOING BACK!

[3ohm]

If I go for the Quad chip and it doesn't work on this board; it might be easier to get another board.

Would the Intel DP35DPM work? Or should I look at the Asus P5KC(Intel P35), Asus P5KPL-VM (Intel G31)
or even the Asus P5K (Intel P35)?

What do you think Sunburst? Are any of these preferable? I wish there had been SOMETHING about the P35 chipset on the Digi compatibility list. (I see most guys on this forum are using them. The ONLY 1 from that list that I could find was the 945.)

I know a good mobo is normally a good investment.........as loooong as it works with PTLE, I suppose.

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by 3ohm

'

I've heard that my board CAN take a Q6600 Quad core chip eventhough it doesn't confirm it on the Gigabyte support page or in the manual (thanks for the link).

I seriously doubt this as it would be all over the internet. I would LOVE to know if it worked though. My understanding that it was a voltage issue that was keeping things from working.

This board CAN also handle a 1333fsb chip but only with OverClocking. The Q6600 is pretty much the same price as the E8400; and the PC shop where I got my board is very adamant that it will handle the Quad. Should I risk it?

Hmm are they going to warranty it or replace any damaged components? If you can get it in writing it might be worth a try.

I've heard that Pro Tools will use ALL 4 Cores of a Quad. Considering the price difference; it might be worth it. If I buy the E8400; there's NO GOING BACK!

The Quad will pretty much double you performance I would absolutely recommend it over the E8400 for running Pro Tools.....On a compatible board

If I go for the Quad chip and it doesn't work on this board; it might be easier to get another board.

My advice is to get a Quad and board thats known to work.

Would the Intel DP35DPM work? Or should I look at the Asus P5KC(Intel P35), Asus P5KPL-VM (Intel G31)
or even the Asus P5K (Intel P35)?

ASUS P5K is the best choice and known to be working.

The P5KC has had problems with the memory and considering the price difference between DDR2 vs DDR3 and the fact that DDR3 offers very little benefit over DDR2 kinda says to me save your money and stick with DDR2.

The G31 has integrated graphics and should be avoided.

What do you think Sunburst? Are any of these preferable? I wish there had been SOMETHING about the P35 chipset on the Digi compatibility list. (I see most guys on this forum are using them. The ONLY 1 from that list that I could find was the 945.)

Digi needs to update the list, They have actually been referring people to this thread from what i understand. I suspect the number of P35 Quads out there is close to 100 at this point. Stick with a working board and you should have no problems.

I know a good mobo is normally a good investment.........as loooong as it works with PTLE, I suppose.

[3ohm]

Thankyou SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much Sunburst! Thanks for the great advice and help, dude!

I'm gonna build my pc around that P5K with a Q6600 and get that 'Pesky' ProTools up and ROCKING ASAP!

Do I still need to stick to an ATI card or can I go for the Geforce?
(Leadtek, MSI, Asus, Sparkle, XFX, Saphire? Any recommendations?)