Core i7 system worth it?

[ben805]

I'm still running on my 3yr old watercooled AMD Opteron 165 dual core (overclocked to 2.7Ghz) with 2GB of ram and 2TB worth of disk space running on WinXP32. Just bought the 5D2 recently and realized my system is taking forever converting RAW to JPG, both cores are maxing out at 100% during processing, granted...my workflow is about 800 RAW files and about 16GB worth of data. So my question is, if I build a new Core i7 system and overclock it to about 3.5Ghz, with 6GB of DDR3 1600, and run it on WinXP64....would I notice much gain, say...cut my batch processing time in half maybe?

[In2Photos]

You are coming from an entirely different machine than I did when I upgraded, but I find it COMPLETELY worth it. My old rig (AMD 3000+ 1.9GHz, 2GB RAM, XP Pro) would take forever to process files, roughly one per minute on export from LR (this is with 1DMKII files, 30D and 40D files). My new machine (i7 stock, 6GB RAM, Vista 64) processes about 1-2 per second. There are some out their that say a similarly speced Quad Core system will run almost as good, but cost considerably less. I chose to go i7 and have the latest for the first time in a long time and don't regret it.

[YP5 Toronto]

a variety of factors will come into play when processing (ram, hd speed, etc). Lots of overclockers like to use Super Pi as a benchmark in processing performance with regards to Ram Speed/Timings and CPU Speed.

I believe your processor would calculate 1M Pi in about 35secs. My i7 920 overclocked at 4Ghz will do it in 10.3 secs (6GB 1600mhz, 7-7-7-24). As another data point, I think my overclocked q6700 @ 3.6ghz did the same calculation in about 14.5 secs.

(if you are curious, you can download the safe/small program here: http://www.xtremesystems.com/pi/).

As In2 noted, if you want your new computer to be a 3+year investment like your current Opteron is, go with the i7 platform.

[ben805]

a variety of factors will come into play when processing (ram, hd speed, etc). Lots of overclockers like to use Super Pi as a benchmark in processing performance with regards to Ram Speed/Timings and CPU Speed.

I believe your processor would calculate 1M Pi in about 35secs. My i7 920 overclocked at 4Ghz will do it in 10.3 secs (6GB 1600mhz, 7-7-7-24). As another data point, I think my overclocked q6700 @ 3.6ghz did the same calculation in about 14.5 secs.

(if you are curious, you can download the safe/small program here: http://www.xtremesystems.com/pi/).

As In2 noted, if you want your new computer to be a 3+year investment like your current Opteron is, go with the i7 platform.

yea I have been using superpi for many years, and mostly use 32M calculation....my current system takes 26min to complete. LOL Have you ever run yours at 32M @4Ghz and how long does it take?

My screen name on xtremesystem.org forum is the same as this one, use to visit there quite often back in the days when AMD kinda ruled... :D

[YP5 Toronto]

I will run 32M for you tonight.

Overclocking the i7 is so extremely easy that is is quite silly. Seeing as you have gone the OC route with watercooling, you are not "scared" of maximizing your cpu.

[ben805]

I just pull the trigger and bought the following from newegg:

Intel Core i7 920
Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 cooler
Asus P6T Deluxe V2
OCZ Platinum 6GB (3 x2GB) DDR3 1600
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 case
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W (single rail 12v @70a)
Samsung 22X DVD Burner SATA
EVGA GTX 285 1GB video card

came out to about $1480 shipped 3 days


I have a few 500GB SATA drive that I will reuse, haven't decide to run winxp64 or vista64 yet, vista gui kinda sucks (i'm old school) so I probably would stick with xp unless there's performance gain to be had with vista.

[ben805]

I will run 32M for you tonight.

Overclocking the i7 is so extremely easy that is is quite silly. Seeing as you have gone the OC route with watercooling, you are not "scared" of maximizing your cpu.

I came from a completely different platform (always been AMD kinda guy) so all this intel thing is new to me, would have lots of research to do...

I ain't skerd :D I used to run a custom phase-change on my Opteron 148 single core @3.4ghz 24/7, have fried quite a few amd x2 3800 (weak memory controller) and couple sets of memory sticks in the past from pushing too hard, nowaday I would just stick with something simple. Back then my electric bill went through the roof with phase changing, and couldn't stand the hum and extra heat crank out from the compressor so I switched to water instead.

[YP5 Toronto]

I'll pull the overclocking settings I have for you once my week has settled down.

Good choice on the memery :). You will need to set the memory timings and voltage manually with that memory / mb combo. it will boot up much slower, just dont be surprised.

With the Noctua NH-U12P you should easily be able to push past the 3.6ghz area with lots of safety.

As for OS, reuse what you have now, but for sure 64bit of some flavor. I am patiently waiting on Windows 7.

[ben805]

I'll pull the overclocking settings I have for you once my week has settled down.

Good choice on the memery :). You will need to set the memory timings and voltage manually with that memory / mb combo. it will boot up much slower, just dont be surprised.

With the Noctua NH-U12P you should easily be able to push past the 3.6ghz area with lots of safety.

As for OS, reuse what you have now, but for sure 64bit of some flavor. I am patiently waiting on Windows 7.

that would be great if I can use your setting as reference whenever you are not too busy, I won't receive the shipment till end of the week anyway. ;) I was going to get the OCZ gold but the better timing from the platinum version won me over, thought about getting the muskin with similar timing but it cost more. I'll see how 6GB handle my workflow, may have to add another set and run 12GB down the road which I undertand the ram speed would most likely take a hit and won't be able to run at 1600.

[YP5 Toronto]

12 GB (6 x 2gb modules) running at rated speeds, without going over 1.65v has been a challenge for all manners of memory and motherboard brands.

I think 6GB will run well, but the notion of 12GB continues to call my name.

[ben805]

12 GB (6 x 2gb modules) running at rated speeds, without going over 1.65v has been a challenge for all manners of memory and motherboard brands.

I think 6GB will run well, but the notion of 12GB continues to call my name.

I don't think the i7 920 memory controller can handle 6 sticks (12GB total) at full speed, from what I heard I most likely have to back down the mem clock to around 1333, either that or drop the timing, i guess it's an ok trade off for higher capacity...

yup, 12GB sure sounds very attractive to me as well :D

[jdizzle]

I would go for the i7! It's def. worth the upgrade. My i7 965 overclocked to 4.34 smokes what I used to have. Plus, the price of DDR 3 has gone down significantly. Another 6 gigs of RAM wouldn't hurt. :);)

[tmonatr]

What about THIS (http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dxdozv1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=features~desktops_great_deals) deal at Dell. Seems pretty reasonable.

[In2Photos]

What about THIS (http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dxdozv1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=features%7Edesktops_great_deals) deal at Dell. Seems pretty reasonable.
This has been a hot topic recently. This machine will be fine for someone that doesn't want to build their own machine or have the ability to upgrade much in the future. Dell uses smaller PSUs, all 6 memory slots, and there is not that many bays to add additional DVD drives or hard drives. Also, the 19 inch monitor that comes with the package is not great. To upgrade to an IPS panel through Dell would set you back another $490! for the 24" ultra-sharp.

[HyperYagami]

I don't think the i7 920 memory controller can handle 6 sticks (12GB total) at full speed, from what I heard I most likely have to back down the mem clock to around 1333, either that or drop the timing, i guess it's an ok trade off for higher capacity...

yup, 12GB sure sounds very attractive to me as well :D

I'm doing i7 920 1066mhz memory 12GB in CAS-7 no problem. 920 is supposed to do 1066mhz only so anything more than that is in the OC territory.

[YP5 Toronto]

I'm doing i7 920 1066mhz memory 12GB in CAS-7 no problem. 920 is supposed to do 1066mhz only so anything more than that is in the OC territory.

which memory modules (brand, model)?

[HankScorpio]

I'm running 12GB (6x2) Samsung Cas 9 DDR3 (part number M378B5673DZ1-CH9) at 1066mhz
At least that's what Sandra says unless I'm reading the 1.07GHz memory bus speed wrong.

http://www.techdystopia.com/photos/memspeed.jpg

[HyperYagami]

which memory modules (brand, model)?

6 sticks of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

yeah i know i'm totally not utilizing its potental.

[YP5 Toronto]

6 sticks of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381

yeah i know i'm totally not utilizing its potental.

woh... if you want some help offline via pms...I can assist. your not going to get 7.7.7.24 at 1600 with 12gb...but where you are now is way under potential. We are not talking about overclocking, we are talking about maximizing.

[Default501x]

i7 overclocks like a breeze, and are relatively light on the wallet (considering intel's history for pricing).
im running a q6600, and just going from the stock 2.6 to 3.8 MORE than cut my processing time in half, the difference is insane.
PS - Get a TRUE, you wont be disappointed ;)

[ben805]

Just received the shipment today, i'm running prime95 now on Vista 64bit at 4.0ghz (21x 190) with 1.37v vcore and 1.35v QPI/VTT.. Disabling the HT dropped the load temperature from 72'C down to 61'C during prime, if it's stable in 24hr then I'll shoot for 4.2Ghz....heh. The learning curve in overlocking these Corei7 isn't as steep as I expected....so far so good. :D

[YP5 Toronto]

nice...vcore is good and so are temps. interesting if you can hit 4.2 with air. I am at 4.0ghz with HT ON @ 1.325vcore on water, with some small attempts at 4.2 with no success.

how is your memory running?

[YP5 Toronto]

also you may want to try the new linX based stress test as it is by far a better indicator of both memory and cpu stability.

[ben805]

so far so good, no problem passing the LinX stress test which appear to make my cpu run couple degree hotter than prime95, memory hold up well at the rated speed 7-7-7-24. At 4.0Ghz I have to keep the HT off, otherwise I get BSOD and the underload temperature get up to 80'C degree even when I back it down to 19x190. After seeing the comparison test below with HT enable or disable I decided to keep it disable to keep underload temp down and more stability at higher clock.

http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/cpu/ci7-turbo-ht-p1.html

I have about 800 RAW files that I need processing for my clients so I'll be putting this rig to the real test :D

[YP5 Toronto]

hmmm...what fans are you running mounted on the cooler?

[ben805]

hmmm...what fans are you running mounted on the cooler?

I use both stock fans that came with the cooler, I swapped them out with two high rpm silverstone fans (110cfm each) in push pull configuration, but didn't make any difference, so I put the stocker back...which are much more quieter. When I tried with only one stocker fan I only see about 1~2 degree difference so I think the heatsink is doing a great job in keeping the thermal in check. I have a feeling my chip is close to hitting a wall with air cooling, get BSOD at 4.1Ghz with 1.38vcore, i can certainly crank up the vcore some more to keep it stable but i'm not sure the extra heat is worth it..