X58 vs P55 build decision

[Writer]

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. :)

[Writer]

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

[Sushi Warrior]

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.

[ayah]

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.

[Writer]

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.

[ayah]

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

[Writer]

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. :)

[ArmenianLegend]

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

[||Console||]

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