X58/P55 Build

[CroSsFiRe2009]

Never thought I'd use this thread but here goes. I'm conflicted on which path I should go, X58 or P55.
I'd prefer having at least dual pcie x8 in order to support sli or crossfire. I plan on keeping the computer for quite a while so I think I would want USB3.0 in it but if anybody can make a convincing argument as to why I wouldn't need it, feel free to change my mind. Also, I'm a bit confused atm about USB3.0 speeds, are the boards w/o PLX with integrated USB3.0 taking full advantage of the speeds?
In short my breakdown:
X58 Pro's - A lot of PCIE 16x slots, future upgradeability?
X58 Con's - Price, no USB3.0 on board
P55 Pro's - USB3.0, cheaper
P55 Con's - less pcie slots with only the expensive boards having x8/x8, no future upgrade path?
I'm having a headache figuring out which one is the best. Then, throw in hyperthreading since I sometimes like to dabble in folding@home doesn't help. Short of media encoding and f@h, is there any real world benefit for HT now and potentially 2-3 years from now?

I plan on reusing my case, Corsair 450VX (bit underpowered but it should do for now) and possibly my 4890. Gaming at 1920x1080. I'll probably be building from 2nd hand parts bought off here or rfd so a budget of 550 seems reasonable.
What upgrade path would you guys recommend?

P55 - i5 750/x3440 + p7p55d-e or p7ppd-e pro + 4GB sector 5 7-7-7-20 1333 RAM
X58 - i7 920 CO + whatever 6gb i can find and w/e motherboard with 3 pcie16 slots?

Help me out here guys

[chrisk]

I plan on using an add-in card for USB 3.0 when it comes out. Perhaps you could do the same?

I don't think the extra PCI-E lanes should be much of a factor. I like how the X58 boards are really mature, but I think the P55s are probably mature enough.

If you are going to OC, then get the 920 setup, but I think either platform will do you.

[MarkOne]

If you plan to fold, you better go I7 920, what you will save in memory will pay the difference of price, the 920 is more easy to OC than the 860, and for now , you can't get bigadv with a 750 .. an certennly not with 4 gb. So I think you are a good candidate for the 920 . If you notice I own a 860 and a 750, I sold the 860 to upgrade to I7-920, but I keep my 750 ( more fun to OC )

[CroSsFiRe2009]

yep i definitely remember your situation mark, p55 seems to be a viable route still since the x3440 which is only 245$ at the egg has HT. Also, isn't it possible to use 3 2gb kits in the p55 with just the 3rd stick running in single channel or do all 3 sticks default to single?

[jtcb]

Read this to see if the current USB3 and SATA6 solution is good enough for you. I would rather get an addon card later.

[geokilla]

Originally Posted by CroSsFiRe2009

yep i definitely remember your situation mark, p55 seems to be a viable route still since the x3440 which is only 245$ at the egg has HT. Also, isn't it possible to use 3 2gb kits in the p55 with just the 3rd stick running in single channel or do all 3 sticks default to single?

All 3 sticks would default to single channel.

I say go P55/57 route. There's also the H chipsets, but I don't remember what they are.

[ZZLEE]

There will be some new 1366 chips soon. New boards also.

[CroSsFiRe2009]

New 1366 chips are going to be ridiculously expensive and coming out in march, I doubt they're going to drop the prices of other i5/i7 chips much.

Don't think there's P57 out..as for H57, I wouldn't need the integrated video since I'm using a video card.
Also, for USB3.0, from that article, it doesnt seem I should even care about getting a board that supports usb3 or sata6 and just get an addon card. However, should I even be worrying about ssd's coming out in 1-2 years that would be able to utilize sata 6?

[CraigRT]

Originally Posted by MarkOne

If you plan to fold, you better go I7 920, what you will save in memory will pay the difference of price, the 920 is more easy to OC than the 860, and for now , you can't get bigadv with a 750 .. an certennly not with 4 gb. So I think you are a good candidate for the 920 . If you notice I own a 860 and a 750, I sold the 860 to upgrade to I7-920, but I keep my 750 ( more fun to OC )

If you're not into OCing, the i7 860 is actually faster, and cheaper, (platform) than the 920.

Also, I haven't heard the 920 is actually a better OCer, I thought they were more or less the same CPU.

Honestly I picked my 860/1156 setup because of the price/performance ratio. (being faster than a 920 at stock at least) And was said before, if you feel the need in the future to have anything added into your computer, an inexpensive add in card is always going to be an option.

[CroSsFiRe2009]

The 920 isn't a better OC'er but as Mark said, its much easier oc'n with it. Also, I definitely OC, I like to get my money's worth.