i7 Builds - Specs and Results

[mesaone]

GT640 if you plan to connect 3 monitors, 550ti if you want to connect 2 monitors. The 550ti seems to have a much better heatsink and fan.

[tatothekid426]

Originally Posted by mesaone

GT640 if you plan to connect 3 monitors, 550ti if you want to connect 2 monitors. The 550ti seems to have a much better heatsink and fan.

Great. I'll try the 550ti. Thanks for the info.

[Michael Carpenter]

I'm just starting to gather info, with the help of a friend, to do a new build. I'm currently on a Macbook Pro, using a Thunderbolt HD interface. So i need to incorporate Thunderbolt into my build. I was a PC guy for a long time, and while the Macbook Pro has been fantastic, and simple, i'm keen to see where PC's are at these days.

My friend has suggested this guy to get things going. Anything i should be aware of? GA-Z97X-UD7 TH

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/pro...px?pid=4995#ov

Thanks in advance..

MC

[mesaone]

Originally Posted by Michael Carpenter

Anything i should be aware of?

Before you continue, make sure your interface will work with the build. I don't know what's what in the world of PC Thunderbolt 2, but you should probably check if there are Windows drivers for your interface.

[Brandonx1]

You can also use new x99 motherboards from asus. They support thunderbolt.

[CME]

Originally Posted by Brandonx1

You can also use new x99 motherboards from asus. They support thunderbolt.

I've been researching a build. I've always been a fan of the x58-x79-x99 boards. But with the cost of the parts, and power of z87/97 builds, it makes it hard to decide. I'll probably eventually go to x99 route. It's hard to argue with the ability to support 15-18 or more cores.

[Brandonx1]

Originally Posted by CME

I've been researching a build. I've always been a fan of the x58-x79-x99 boards. But with the cost of the parts, and power of z87/97 builds, it makes it hard to decide. I'll probably eventually go to x99 route. It's hard to argue with the ability to support 15-18 or more cores.

You can just use a 5820k i7. 380 bucks. Ddr4 is gettin cheager too.

[Michael Carpenter]

Great point mesaone. Is there a Thunderbolt driver for Windows? Didn't think of that..

[CME]

Originally Posted by Brandonx1

You can just use a 5820k i7. 380 bucks. Ddr4 is gettin cheager too.

Yep. And that's the proc I'm looking at. But the mobo's cost $300+, and still need an add-in tb card. But if I could someday score a 12-18 core xeon to drop in it. It would last me for a very very long time lol.

[knandermueller]

Hey Guys,

I'm back after 5 years having built my first successful rig based off of specs on this thread back when it was new (thanks to all the guys again who helped me out back then, it's been a hell of a run). I'm still dragging a 002 behind me trying to get the most out of it before I upgrade to something a little less "all in one", (separate pre's, control surface, I/O) etc. I'm looking for a future proof system (another 5 years would be nice) that I can still use my 002 on for the next 18 months or so, but then will support something a little more current (looking to the thunderbolt capability in the pipeline) I'm running PT 10 right now, but have the upgrade to 11 queued up for when I leave the 002. I was looking at Jeffdumps build liking the specs and wondering if anyone could think of any reason why I would have issues running a 002 on something similar in the short term.

I'd really like to go with the 4790K, and the ASUS Z97 Pro. I have an Intel 730 240 GB SSD I picked up for a song on black friday for the OS, as well as some Kingston SSDs for sessions, I'd probably get new RAM, keep my old case (Antec 900) and power supply (Corsair 750 Watt), monitors, Caviar Blacks etc. I looked back a ton of pages and it looks like most people running similar configs are using the Eleven Rack. Any insights into whether I would have issues with a 002? I figured I would just pop a Texas Instruments firewire card in the system for my connectivity with the expectation that the thunderbolt header on the Z97 or USB3 will carry me through my next upgrade. As old as it is, the 002 is still a workhorse that meets my needs, and unfortunately, I can't afford to upgrade both my computer and my interface at the same time.

Incidentally I was thinking of trying to just use the onboard Intel HD4600 graphics since I don't use the system for anything else and it would save money and noise, anyone else have luck taking that approach, or do most of you use separate graphics cards?

I definitely love to hear what you guys think.