New Build - Seeking Opinion on CPU/MB combo

[dennismv]

Hi!

I am looking for MB and CPU recommendation.

This will be a system used for video/photo editing, sometimes, but mostly for just browsing and development work (aka programming).
This will not be a gaming rig.
No SLI - I just won't need it
No liquid cooling - I prefer push-pull air cooling
Not interested in overclocking - I am fine with stock speeds.

I'd like to build a system this week. Thus I want to get something tried and true while something that is reasonably current. In the end, I am seeking something that fits into $1500 to $2000 for case/cpu/mb/ram/etc with no monitor/keyboard/mouse.

What would you recommend? Are there any existing 'recommended' systems you could point out?

EDIT: I will be buying parts from US. Brand preference: Intel/nVidia/WD/Antec, but not necessarily so.

[dennismv]

Did not quite expect lack of response on this forum. This forum was recommended to me by someone. Oh well. I purchased a system from IBuyPower with i7 - 960 in the mean time.

[_dangtx_]

oops. sorry to have missed the thread.

first of all, welcome aboard.

secondly ,that i7 should treat you well with 8 threads and all. gl.

[Inate8]

Welcome to the forums.

Have fun with your iBuypower

[boris_37]

Not to sound rude but how much response did you expect in 4 hours during the day on a monday?

However the 960 is decent for that price range since you need it this week. It's either that or a 920 i would recommend and the 960 is an excellent boost.

[draemn]

Too bad you already bought (after only waiting a few hours...) since the updated chip-sets for H67 have started to ship. The i7-2600 probably would have been the best you could get. The intel 3000 IGP probably would have met all of your graphics needs and the 2600 offers 8 threads and better per clock performance than the i7-9xx line does.

[dennismv]

Thank you for your replies.

Based on them, I have decided to cancel my i960 system and look more into Sandy Bridge.
I will be going with i7-2600K + H67 chipset + no separate graphics card.
This is because I do video encoding and I don't need 3D graphics.

[draemn]

Originally Posted by dennismv

Thank you for your replies.

Based on them, I have decided to cancel my i960 system and look more into Sandy Bridge.
I will be going with i7-2600K + H67 chipset + no separate graphics card.
This is because I do video encoding and I don't need 3D graphics.

Save the $20-30 and get the i7-2600 as you cannot over-clock the CPU with H67. If you are inclined to wait for Z68 to come out, then you can get a 2600k and overclock the CPU while using the intel 3000 IGP. Still, you can get the 2600k on the H67 just so you can get the better graphics than the non-unlocked version.

Depending on what software you use for video encoding, discreet graphics may be tapped via hardware acceleration. In some benchmarks, discreet GPUs can be up to 80% faster than IGPs/CPU.

[dennismv]

From what I've seen, it does vary:

For Transcoding, IGP is faster PC Perspective - Lucid Virtu GPU Virtualization Software Review - Sandy Bridge and Discrete coexist
For 3D gaming, a good GPU is faster The Sandy Bridge Review: Intel Core i7-2600K, i5-2500K and Core i3-2100 Tested - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

Since I will not be playing games or running 3D applications, I am thinking IGP will do fine for me.

I am choosing HD 3000 over HD 2000 in this case for slightly better performance and thus 2600K over 2600 for some added future-proofing. For example, when Z68 comes out, I may swap my H67 board for Z68 and if needed, add a discrete video card too, if I find something unsatisfactory about my user experience under H67 with IGP.

[draemn]

Yeah, probably not going to see a huge benefit from the HD 3000 to a discreet GPU if we're only talking about technologies that use the "quick sync" trans-coding method. It's only in different high end stuff with video, filters, etc where a discreet GPU is that good. I was a bit hasty in my suggestion.

Also, I'd still say get the Z68 since you are going to get a 'k' sku CPU, that way you can use the IGP while over-clocking the GPU.