LGA1156 - any recommendations?

[petal]

I've been looking into upgrading my scope pc for a while. I originally wanted a LGA1366-based machine, but it's hard to find a suitable 3xpci slot mobo with room for a PCI-e dual slot Gfx card.

So now I'm looking into buying a LGA1156 machine instead because there are several mobo's that meats my requirements. The Intel DH55HC has caught my attention:

http://www.intel.com/cd/products/servic ... 435612.htm

I plan to install 3 Scope cards and a Radeon HD5850 (or similar Nvidia Gfx) in there.

Is there anything I should be aware off? (Problems with bios, IRQ's etc)

Cheers,
Thomas

[garyb]

i would really be surprised if that motherboard didn't work. you will certainly need to disable some devices in order to free irqs, i think that's pretty much the way it is with the current motherboard designs. usually, even if you are forced into some irq sharing because of system devices, intel motherboards seem to work, generally. as far as gambles go, it's probably a safe one.

[petal]

OK - thx Gary, always fast to help out

I think I'm gonna go for this mobo then, combined with a Core i7 860 and a HIS HD 5850 (silent stuff).

Now I just need help with three more things:
- Recommendations on RAM. 4 GB should do nicely (I think), but it's a jungle out there, and I don't know which brand or type to choose.
- A nice silent cooler for the CPU - which brand should I go for?
- I'm gonna upgrade to Windows 7 as well, but they are all named "Ultimate Excilance"-something. Which version should I choose? (I don't do server stuff or any other advanced work, other than use this machine as my DAW and Game machine)

Cheers,
Thomas

[garyb]

brand or type of ram isn't as important as the spec. most intel motherboards require 1.8vlt ONLY, so check the intel site. i have had great results with Kingston value ram(they have 1.8vlt ram, it works great and it's cheap!), although i usually prefer a premium stick like Corsair.

someone else will have to recommend the cooler. i use the stock cooler, it's pretty quiet(though nothing like the truly quiet one's) and it works just fine for most people. the other good thing about the stock cooler is that it's low profile, so if you move the tower regularly(like in a mobile application) the big heavey cooler won't break loose and damage the rest of your system.

if you don't need the networking, use Home(premium option i believe).

[petal]

OK - thank you very much Gary.

I checked out the memory specs and it said:

Memory voltage:
- Memory overvoltage to 1.60 V and 1.65 V (DH55HC)
- 1.5 V standard JEDEC voltage

So I guess, 1.5 V sticks is what I should aim for?

Thomas

[garyb]

yes, sounds like it.
you can go on most memory manufacturers' websites and there will be a configurator which will let you know which ones are for each specific motherboard(from mahjor manufacturers anyway). i'd check that just to be sure.

[petal]

Great - I'll do that.

Thx again!
Thomas

[Neutron]

If you did end up with LGA 1156, the i7 875k processor is quite the performer. i have one in the studio, it is really impressive. i changed the multiplier to 26 and it does not break a sweat.

I have modified a norco RPC 430 case to fit a corsair H50 radiator (at the expense of 2 drive space) and its a very quiet and powerful machine. in most cases it beats out my i7 920 (@ 3.3 ghz)

very nice for the extra $30 or whatever over a locked cpu.

[petal]

Hmm. the i7 875k you say - I'll have to check it out as well.

Thx for the tip

[petal]

OK, I've been looking at the market and two things still remains uncertain to me:

- Does an "Intel Boxed"-version CPU include a cooler?

- Windows 7 seems to be comming in many different versions. As I've been adviced, Home Premium should be fine for my needs, but does the package include both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of win7 or will I have to step carefully in order to get both versions in the same package? I don't plan to go 64 bit right away, but I would like to take advantage of directx11 which I cannot on XP.

Decissions decissions...
Thomas

[Neutron]

Most intel boxed include a cooler except the k series because most people who buy them are most likely to use a third party cooler.

[garyb]

OK, I've been looking at the market and two things still remains uncertain to me:

- Does an "Intel Boxed"-version CPU include a cooler?

- Windows 7 seems to be comming in many different versions. As I've been adviced, Home Premium should be fine for my needs, but does the package include both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of win7 or will I have to step carefully in order to get both versions in the same package? I don't plan to go 64 bit right away, but I would like to take advantage of directx11 which I cannot on XP.

Decissions decissions...
Thomas

the "upgrade" version has BOTH 32 and 64bit, but the full version only has one or the other, i believe...the only disadvantage to the upgrade version is that xp must be on the system first, in order to install win7.

[petal]

OK, thank you very much to both of you, it has been very helpful!

[dawman]

There's a really powerful new CPU called Sandy Bridge coming
out that has the best of the Conroe and i7 architechture and
some pretty sweet looking options for PCI guys.

[dante]

Good news for those wanting to squeeze a few more years use out of the PCI cards. For those that only have 2 that is.

[petal]

Sandy Bridge - That sounds interesting, but what are the benefits for us?
It seems that the new thing is integrated Gfx on the same CPU, which isn't really interesting to me since I'm gonna built my new system with a dedicated Gfx-card. What are the PCI benefits you are talking about Jimmy?

[petal]

OK - my new system is now up and running, but two of my Scope cards are sharing IRQ with other stuff:

IRQ-settings.png (24.66 KiB) Viewed 3174 times

I've Googled away to find out how to change IRQ's in Windows 7, but it seems that this is no longer possible, I am only left with the option of prioritizing the devices sharing the IRQ and disabling devices. My problem i's that I'd prefer to use both the internal sound card (HD Audio controller) and I guess I can't do without the "Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller".

Please - I need some help here, what are my options?

Cheers,
Thomas

[garyb]

the ide controller is likely not needed unless you are using the ide connector. otherwise, it probably won't give you trouble.

the onboard audio should be disabled, sorry...have you disabled devices like serial and parallel ports that won't be used in the bios?

[next to nothing]

First things first, are you having any problems?

[petal]

Damn you are fast Gary

Yes, I have disabled everything I knew I woudn't need, like the serial port and parallel port.

I'd hate to let the onboard audio controller go though. Isn't there any way I can change those damn IRQ's?

Thx,
Thomas