OT: Recent System Builds – Recommendations?

[Steve Rhoden]

Search this forum…There are tons of posts and reposts
of recommendations addressing this question.

Steve Rhoden
Creative Director
TNX EFFECTS STUDIOS.
sample bits at
http://www.youtube.com/hentys

[Rob Bond]

Steve,

Yes there are tons of post on this general topic, but none (that I could find) that specifically speak to my questions.

So again, input sought from **recent** system builders (as the technology changes least every 6 months) and specifically on choosing a Motherboard (P45-based vs x38/x48 based). Any other tips/recommendations for a first time system builder are welcome (I plan on a Quad Core Intel CPU, two 500 GB HDD, and 8 GB memory)

–Thanks

–Rob

[John Rofrano]

I can appreciate your wanting to get *recent* advice but I can give you the guidelines that I used when I build my QuadCore system (specs here) and it is the most stable system I have even owned. The Intel D975XBX2 motherboard that I built around is still relevant or you can pick the latest Intel DP45SG if you want a P45 board.

Here is the secret: Get an Intel motherboard with an Intel processor!

Sounds too obvious right? I’ve built around GigaByte MBs, I’ve built around ASUS MB’s. I always bought their top-of-the-line flagship MB and I’ve always had intermittent problems. Their manuals are written in Chinglish and their customer services is non-existent!

I built around the Intel D975XBX2 and it has been rock solid. I had a small problem with the hard drive light after the build so I called Intel and in 5 minutes a human who spoke English answered the phone and understood my problem. He said let me check with the lab and get back to you and within 1/2 hr he called back with the fix (something I needed to change in the BIOS). I will use nothing but Intel MBs in the future.

So here is what you do. Select your Intel Extreme Motherboard of choice. Select a processor that Intel guarantees will work with that motherboard. Go to their Tested Memory page and select memory that Intel has tested with that motherboard (this is very important). Select a power supply that has more than enough power for your MB, CPU, and whatever graphics card you choose. Having enough clean power is critical to having a stable system (don’t skimp here).

That’s it! Let Intel do all the hard work of testing for you and be sure to stick with the parts that they recommend. This is what I did and I’ve been very happy with my selections.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Rob Bond]

Hi John,

Great advice, which I greatly appreciate as a newbie to DYI system building. The last thing I want is to be spending lots of time casing down troubles. An Intel-in-Intel approach does make a lot of sense from this perspective.

What about overclocking with Intel motherboards? Are they overclocking friendly, should I wish to dip my toe into the overclocking waters?

Finely, any informed speculation regarding possible 64-bit Vegas benefits of getting a (P45-based) motherboard that can grow up to 16 MB of RAM?

Thanks!

–Rob

—-
Rob

[John Frey]

I totally agree with John. I have built 3 systems over the past year with Intel boards and processors. Rock solid systems with great support. I think that plenty of space for ram for the future of Vegas 64 bit is very important. It may not be long before new boards will feature not only Sata, but HDMI and the new USB3 ports as well. Good luck!

John D. Frey
25 Year owner/operator of two California-based production studios.

Digital West Video Productions of San Luis Obispo and Inland Images of Lake Elsinore

[Jeremy Rasnic]

This is what I built back in April. It is solid and runs like a beast although 32 bit Vegas cannot utilize all 8 cores efficiently.

The link.

j razz

[John Rofrano]

> What about overclocking with Intel motherboards? Are they overclocking friendly, should I wish to dip my toe into the overclocking waters?

Yes they are. They didn’t use to be but Intel finally realized that people who build their own systems like to overclock and so they make it easy now. If you are going to overclock, make sure you buy a case with good ventilation and use a good CPU cooler (like the ZALMAN that I bought).

> Finely, any informed speculation regarding possible 64-bit Vegas benefits of getting a (P45-based) motherboard that can grow up to 16 MB of RAM?

16GB of RAM is an awful lot of RAM for a single user system. I would think that 8GB is plenty but no one knows how Vegas64 will use RAM. If you think you will need it, get the P45 and be safe.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com