New Build Help: Q9450 Core 2 Quad Core Machine Advice?

[GanB]

Hi all,
Digi has told me that Core 2 Quad CPU isn't supported but that some users have been successful with them. I've browsed through the forums and seen a smattering of messages about a few builds that seemed to be working. Also I will be using the X38 chipset instead of the P35. I've seen a couple of successful messages on here for that as well.

I was wondering if anybody who has built a Core 2 Quad System could give me some feedback on how stable I can expect my new system to be with the following hardware. I've read good reviews on all these pieces but I'd like to know your thoughts on using them as a ProTools LE 7.4 rig:

Intel q9450 Core 2 Quad CPU 1333FSB (new 45 NM architecture)
Foxconn X38A motherboard (X38 chipset) 1333FSB (supports DDR2 and DDR3)
DDR2 667 Ram (4 gigs)
SATA 3.0 Samsung Spinpoint 7200 RPM 500 GB drive (for OS and PT software)
SATA 3.0 Samsung Spinpoint 7200 RPM 500 GB drive (dedicated for audio tracks)
Zotac nVidia 9800 GTX graphics card
Mbox Pro 2 (Firewire)
Windows XP Pro SP2

This rig serves dual purpose as gaming/general purpose machine but I swap out the hard drives with completely different drives so that my PT rig remains pristine.

This is a forklift replacement for the 3.6 Ghz Pentium-D ProTools rig I have been running. The only thing I am keeping is the ram, actually

[GanB]

24 reads but no advice?
Anybody?

[albee1952]

I would use an Asus motherboard and faster PC800 or 1066 RAM. I would also use a smaller system drive so I am thinking a 250gig for system, a 250 gig for PT system(you said you would swap hard drives depending on use)and a 250-320 gig for samples and backup(good place to store drive images of your 2 system drives. Swapping system drives with SATA will work great with this .

[GanB]

thanks for the reply. I am going with the Foxconn board simply because it got decent reviews and is one of the few boards that can run either DDR2 or DDR3. I plan to upgrade to DDR3 ram later when it becomes cheaper which is why I am not going to bother upgrading my current DDR2 667 ram

[sw rec]

Have you checked the compatibility documents regarding that X38 chipset?
I would also second the notion that an ASUS motherboard is the way to go.
They seem to have a very proven track record here.

[GanB]

The problem is that the Digi list of supported chipsets is (frankly) old P35 isn't even on there and Intel has already moved past that to X38/X48. The response I got from Digi Support was basically "we can't promise it will work becuse we haven't tested that CPU or chipset".

I realize they can't say on top of every iteration of chipset and CPU but I'd love to see them at least try to keep up.

So basically, I'm fishing for responses from users on the forum who have done what I am about to do, which is try it out and see what happens. I do appreciate that Digi pointed me to this forum and indicated that some users have tried the new CPU with success but I'd like to see them do some testing and certify some of the newer CPU and chipsets that are out.

I greatly appreciate the replies and advice but I am really looking to hear from anybody who has actually tried these chips

[mykhal c]

just my 2cents...sunburst has just put a Q9450 cpu on his ASUS P35 mobo. he got about 300 DVERBS with his stress test last nite. DUC'er 'bladesq' built a system with a Q6600 and ASUS mobo with X38 chipset (i cannot remember the exact model). he's been OC'g for months and NO problems. my suggestion would be go with an ASUS mobo with the X38 chipset. if you check the BEST CORE 2 sticky thread and read sunburst's up-to-date 1st post and then look at the last 5-10 pages of that thread you will find the ASUS mobo that bladesq used in his build. the FOXCONN might not present any problems but you will be on the bleedin' edge to pioneer that particular mobo

[GanB]

Thanks man I really appreciate the info regarding two builds that have worked. I normally would stick with ASUS or Gigabyte myself, as I've always had good luck with these two brands but it was actually much cheaper to use the Foxconn and I have the ability to upgrade to DDR3 later.

I will let you guys know how the build turns out.

[sunburst79]

I only had enough time for one run with the Q9450, I'll drop some more info this weekend when I get some more time to play around with it. It would appear to run MUCH cooler than my B3 stepping Q6600, The unoptimised performance more than made up for the performance hit of upgrading from 7.3 to 7.4.

If I had a GO series Q6600 I don't think I would upgrade it.

Were I to build new today I would go for a X38 0r X48 board and a Q9450 there don't seem to be any compatibility issues with the chipset or processor but neither have been extensively tested with LE.

Most of the ASUS boards have fairly common BIOS options so it makes troubleshooting them pretty easy, couple that with the availability and ease of service should you ever need it and the durability and you have a winner. Theres no reason you cant use another brand board but its a bit harder to diagnose problems or offer setup advice.

I would build a DDR2 1066 board-by the time DDR3 comes down in price Nehalem will be here

9450/X38 or X48/DDR2 1066 or faster and you will have a heck of a rig.

DDR2 is dirt cheap right now

EDIT: There were some folks having issues with the Samsung drives awhile back, You might want go with the WD or Seagate drives that are known to be working.

[GanB]

Sunburst,
Thanks much for the reply! I appreciate it. I will let you know how it all turns out