i7 Builds - Specs and Results

[Improv]

Originally Posted by cruisemates

Keep in mind that only 11 allows you to use more the 4 GB ram, because it is not pure 64-bit, but 11 is, and will use all the ram you provide. I have 10 now and I have been told 11 sounds superior.

Are you using an 11-rack by any chance (is that why you want 10?)

Right now we plan to use PT10 for the plugin transition period. The memory amount is future-proofing for when we do go to 11. For interfaces, we have 2 Lynx Aurora and 1 Apogee AD16x in the tracking room and 3 Apogee DA16x and 1 AD16x in the mix room... all with HD cards.

Originally Posted by mesaone

The graphics card seems overkill, but it's cheap enough. You may want to get something with a larger fan (larger fan = more efficiency = less noise) such as This one or this one

I chose the card based on the minimum recommendation on this page. I doubt we will hate using PTHD on Windows (I use PT8 on a PC at home) but just in case, part of me is trying to build a known stable hackintosh build as a backup plan. Just in case. :) We might drive an HD TV at some point with the card, and noise is not an issue as we have a machine room.

[mesaone]

Originally Posted by Improv

I chose the card based on the minimum recommendation on this page. I doubt we will hate using PTHD on Windows (I use PT8 on a PC at home) but just in case, part of me is trying to build a known stable hackintosh build as a backup plan. Just in case. :) We might drive an HD TV at some point with the card, and noise is not an issue as we have a machine room.

Understood. That's a smart approach. I found this one on that same TonyMac page, and it has more connectivity and seems to have better reviews. It's dual slot, though - which may or may not be an issue for you (it'll either block a PCIe 1x slot, PCI slot, or if you have clearance above your PSU then it can be put in the bottom PCIe x16 slot)

[Improv]

Originally Posted by mesaone

Understood. That's a smart approach. I found this one on that same TonyMac page, and it has more connectivity and seems to have better reviews. It's dual slot, though - which may or may not be an issue for you (it'll either block a PCIe 1x slot, PCI slot, or if you have clearance above your PSU then it can be put in the bottom PCIe x16 slot)

Ah, that is a better card. Thanks. Clearance shouldn't be an issue. The only other card in there will be the HDX card.

[Kris75]

I am thinking of pulling the trigger on a new system tomorrow. I have been out of the loop for a while so I am unsure of what I should be building. My old i7 920 is on it's last legs and the time has come to build again.

Any advice?

[Shan]

Originally Posted by Kris75

I am thinking of pulling the trigger on a new system tomorrow. I have been out of the loop for a while so I am unsure of what I should be building. My old i7 920 is on it's last legs and the time has come to build again.

Any advice?

8-core this round.

Shane

[mesaone]

Originally Posted by Shan

8-core this round.

I concur 8 times. 16 times, with hyperthreading.

[Kris75]

Can't afford that. This is a bit of an emergency build!

[philip888]

Originally Posted by Kris75

Can't afford that. This is a bit of an emergency build!

I have been looking at the HP Z800 X 5650 on EBay. They are averaging between 7 and 8 hundred.
Two physical 6 core Xeon processors 12 physical cores. The ones I have seen come with 12 GB RAM.
Good bang fur the buck here.

[gtrm8kr]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a BDXL drive? I've got a hankering to backup content to disc, and this would be my first BluRay writer. External would be slightly more convenient, but isn't a necessity. Definitely interested in writing to 128GB BDXL discs. Thanks!

[mesaone]

Originally Posted by gtrm8kr

Does anyone have a recommendation for a BDXL drive? I've got a hankering to backup content to disc, and this would be my first BluRay writer. External would be slightly more convenient, but isn't a necessity. Definitely interested in writing to 128GB BDXL discs. Thanks!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135258

No personal experience with this one, but I trust the brand and it is $79.99 after rebate with free shipping.