X58 vs P55 build decision
 

I've decided to upgrade my primary system, which currently is built on a (gasp!) A8R-MVP.

I've just finished 2+ years of crazy long work hours so it's time to reward myself. :)

Primary uses: software development + gaming

Must be quiet. Will be overclocked.

I value stability above all else.

Common hardware for all builds:

- modded Coolermaster C5 case
- Seasonic X750 PSU
- Radeon HD5870
- 1 x Vortex SSD
- 3 x 640 GB WD Caviar Black
- 1 x DVDRW
- Auzentech Forte
- Xigmatec S1283 + crossbow kit

So far I've narrowed it down to:

X58:

Pros: mature platform, mature BIOS, 6 RAM slots, slightly better PCI-E
Cons: more power/heat

Gigabyte GA-X58-UD5 + i7 920 + 6GB G.Skill = 746 CDN

Pros: nice layout, great bios updates, dynamic VID in latest bios!
Cons: bit colorful, reports of squeeling (but it sounds like that can be solved in bios)

EVGA X58 ATX A1 + i7 920 + 6GB G.Skill = 760 CDN

Pros: lifetime warranty, nice design
Cons: active northbridge cooling (need to mod it for quiet)

P55:

Pros: cheap, less power/heat (~$45/year electricity difference)
Cons: new, possible socket issues?

MSI P55-GD65 + i5 750 + 8 GB Kingston HyperX = 578 CDN
MSI P55-GD65 + i7 860 + 8 GB Kingston HyperX = 688 CDN

Pros: cheap, nice layout, can turn annoying LEDs off
Cons: questionable support and quality control

EVGA P55 FTW + i5 750 + 8 GB Kingston HyperX = 638 CDN
EVGA P55 FTW + i7 860 + 8 GB Kingston HyperX = 748 CDN

Pros: cheap, nice layout, useless 'e' LED power can be unplugged
Cons: no IDE, useless 'e' LED reported to squeel for some, 2 year warranty, almost same cost as X58

Any thoughts/opinions welcome. :)

Oops, meant to post this under New Builds, but I can't move or delete the thread.

I would say EVGA X58 build, as 1156 is a dead end of sorts. If you ever want to upgrade, make sure you have 1366 (new hex-core anyone?). X58 also has much better multi-GPU support (with 16x/16x). If I were to go 1156, I would also consider an EVGA board due to their solid designs and amazing support. I would call them the best support out there.

eVGA X58 build imo.
I actually took off the northbridge fan and just left it running passively. The 120mm fan on my U-120 pulls a bit of air across the massive heatsink and it's enough for it.

Thanks guys I appreciate that.

I wonder if EVGA is planning to add dynamic VCore to their BIOS? That's a pretty cool feature Gigabyte just added to the UD5 -- it adjusts the core voltage with load, so you can have say 0.976 volts at idle and then bump up to 1.232 under load.

Probably not. People buy eVGA boards to overclock the shit out of them.
Power Efficiency be damned!

Thanks for your help, guys! I ended up going with the Gigabyte UD5 since it was on sale at NCIX for $299.

Also grabbed 12 GB of the G.Skill instead of 6 since it was on sale.

Only other change was an OCZ Agility instead of the Vertex since I missed the sale price on the Vertex, and the Agility was on sale fore $199 vs. $256 for the Vertex with a price match.

Now to wait for the boxing day shipping queue. :)

id go with x58, leaves you a route to upgrade to the upcoming 32nm 6cores

Did your parts arrive?
Do you plan on overclocking ?
Every thought of water for lower noise ?