[Oldguy]

Micro Center has both of these for 229.99. I am looking into building an all around rig, no gaming, multimedia with some photo and video editing at the hobby level, office use, internet, etc. What do you like and why?

 

[Silverlight]

950 - Has more features

Overclocks better, triple channel RAM, you won't be limited to x8/x8 in a multi card setup, ability to go hexacore later on

 

[bleedingRoue]

Out of those two go for the 870, RAM kit & board will be a little cheaper.

Both of those sound like overkill for your needs though, if they have an i5 or comparable quad for cheaper that 229.99 that'll fit your needs better.

Edit: And welcome to OCN!

 

[anubis1127]

the microcenter by me has an i5-760 for 169.99, like bleedingroue said, it should be fine for your uses. It's still a quad core, and requires less watts than the i7-950. Pretty good potential for overclocking too.

 

[The_Rocker]

950.

Triple Channel RAM and upto 24x multi.

 

[koven]

for your needs, definitely i5-760 at microcenter and pick up a P55 board

 

[sleepergsr]

stick with the 950...its a better platform.

 

[Oldguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleedingRoue Out of those two go for the 870, RAM kit & board will be a little cheaper. Both of those sound like overkill for your needs though, if they have an i5 or comparable quad for cheaper that 229.99 that'll fit your needs better. Edit: And welcome to OCN!

Thanks for the input and welcome! I have been lurking here for a while and decided to take the plunge. I am not even thinking of overclocking, but I was looking for a forum to get some good desktop info and this seems to be the one!

You're right about the overkill, but I want something that I can get several years out of. I have also done some research on the i5-760 and that should be fine too, Micro Center has them for 169.99.

 

[Oldguy]

If I go P55, I am looking at these two boards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131620

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131601

For X58: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131665

 

[Lonestar]

I vote for the 950 but I'm biased. But if your looking to save a little bit go with the 870, you really cant go wrong with either

 

[bleedingRoue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldguy If I go P55, I am looking at these two boards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131620 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131601 For X58: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131665

Those are all quality boards so it all comes down to preference and price. Personally I like the Gigabyte boards, used them in the last few machines and they're great. USB 3.0 & SATA III are a plus, but you can always get a PCI card for that later.

 

[Oldguy]

The prices have dropped dramatically on both of these chips. Weren't they both over $500 at one time?

 

[Lonestar]

I know the 950 was not sure what the 870 started out at but it was up there.

edit
870 was 555.00 at one time I guess
950 was 599

 

[Oldguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleedingRoue Those are all quality boards so it all comes down to preference and price. Personally I like the Gigabyte boards, used them in the last few machines and they're great. USB 3.0 & SATA III are a plus, but you can always get a PCI card for that later.

What do you like for comparable Gigabyte boards? I just figured if I am starting from scratch that I may as well get a board with USB 3.0 and SATA III. Hopefully that will help me maximize the life of the system.

Cutting edge is always expensive, so I usually like to get something a level or two below top of the line but still good quality and future proof for a few years.

 

[bleedingRoue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldguy What do you like for comparable Gigabyte boards? I just figured if I am starting from scratch that I may as well get a board with USB 3.0 and SATA III. Hopefully that will help me maximize the life of the system. Cutting edge is always expensive, so I usually like to get something a level or two below top of the line but still good quality and future proof for a few years.

Here's a good one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128412

That's about as cheap as it gets (through newegg anyway) for a board with both USB 3 and SATA 3.

 

[Oldguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleedingRoue Here's a good one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128412 That's about as cheap as it gets (through newegg anyway) for a board with both USB 3 and SATA 3.

What's the difference between that and the 3P in your sig?

 

[Oldguy]

Excuse my ignorance, but is Sandy Bridge replacing 1156 only? Is there a new socket around the corner to replace 1366?

 

[Airolden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldguy Excuse my ignorance, but is Sandy Bridge replacing 1156 only? Is there a new socket around the corner to replace 1366?

For now it is only replacing 1156. It will be replacing 1366 towards the end of 2011.

 

[Oldguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airolden For now it is only replacing 1156. It will be replacing 1366 towards the end of 2011.

So the new socket will be 1155. What will the new X-58 socket be?