New computer, 1366 or 1156 socket?

[Strumur]

I’m in the progress of buying a new computer and since I’m dual-boxing I thought I’d ask around here about a few things since our needs sometimes is different then the general gaming community.

Like I said I’m dual-boxing now but would like to be able to multi-box (4 or 5 accounts) in case I decide to go down that road. I will be playing other games on the computer and use it for other purposes like graphics (i.e. Photoshop) and creating movies.

So the first question is what type of socket do I choose? After having looked around here a lot of posts seems to favor the 1366 Socket over the 1156. Is the 1366 Socket better for multi-boxing and if it is, why?

The second question is what processor do I pick? I have my eyes set on the i7-920 processor, but there are a lot of other ones that seems great for ordinary gaming like the i5-750 and i7-860. Which one is best for multi-boxing?

The third and last question is about buying parts versus buying a premaid. I’ve never built a computer before and I’m wondering if it is worth it? I’ve changed a few parts in my computers over the years so I’m no newbie, however it is a big difference between that and building one from scratch. Right now I’m leaning towards building it myself but am a bit scared in case something doesn’t work as it should.

Well that is all for now.

[Fursphere]

1st question - http://tinyurl.com/y8crrh9

2nd question - http://tinyurl.com/y9gwlou

3rd question - http://tinyurl.com/ylggdt5

(seriously, your best approach to this question is just to go research and compare for yourself)

[Maleick]

I’ve never built a computer before and I’m wondering if it is worth it?


Building a computer would be the most worthwhile thing you have done during your gaming career!

:)

[universal]

Though it's not really difficult to build a pc from scratch for yourself, doing so the first time might be somewhat tricky and so i'd ask a friend who has done that to come over and help you build it together ;)

maybe there are some shops where you can order one with your choice of pieces but they assemble it for some fee, which is imo a good compromise between premaids, where you usually buy things you don't need/don't know what's really in and doing it completely for yourself.

[Fursphere]

To expand -

Most people here box on a Core2Quad in the 2.66 to 3.0 speed range, with about 8gb ram. The i7 line replaced the C2Qs, so you really can't go wrong. I'm not sure where the i5 line fits - so thats where I would start researching/

[Strumur]

1st question - http://tinyurl.com/y8crrh9

2nd question - http://tinyurl.com/y9gwlou

3rd question - http://tinyurl.com/ylggdt5

(seriously, your best approach to this question is just to go research and compare for yourself)

I have googled the two first questions and I have been reading and posting in other computerspecific forums about this but they can't give med the input about dual/multiboxing... that is why I'm asking it here. I want some multiboxers input on why you are prefering certain parts over other. :)

[Freddie]

Main advantages of 1366:


If you are running multiple video cards, video may be a little faster.
You can put more memory in the system.
You'll be able to upgrade to a six-core CPU.*
Main advantages of 1156:


Higher turbo boost **
Cheaper system.
Uses less power.
*Added after reading Alcattle's post below.

**Turbo boost can be very significant but it becomes less signficant when you overclock or when you're saturating all cores, like you might be doing when you run five WoWs.

[alcattle]

To add to Freddie's comments:

The 1366 is more likely to be able to upgrade to the next gen of CPU's such as hex-cores.

1156 only the i7s has the boost feature ( I think) The best CPU is the 1156 family is the i5-750 (bang for buck)
Most 1156 MBs can only hold 4 sticks which is a max of 8 gigs until the 4 gig sticks drop a lot. 4 gig (2x2) ~ $200 4 gig stick ~ $400.
All that said, I am going with an i5-750.

Look at Tom's reviews for real world application tests. (tomshardware.com)

Edit: after further review.... all i5 series CPUs have Turbo boost, it is hyper Threading I was kind of thinking of.

[universal]

though the hex-cores will most likely remain high priced (above 500$ at least) for quite a while since amd has nothing comparible in performance to offer.

the impact of hyperthreading depends highly on the application: with gtaIV you get a performance loss(!) of 20-30% iirc if you've hyperthreading enabled. I don't know how wow likes hyperthreading, but since it's out for quite a while and intel had it's pIV's with hyperthreading out at the beginning of wow it might profit from it :)

so i'd build a system for the now and not for something in the future. in a years, 1,5years time you most likely have new motherboards (native usb3, etc) and probably some new power requirements,... . so i wouldn't build for something hypothetical ;)

[alcattle]

Totally correct. The only reason I meantioned HT was the Photoshop comment. Like I said, I am building an i5 system with my tax refund. AMD is cheaper but no where near the preformance and an i7 system is overkill and costly.

[Freddie]

The 1366 is more likely to be able to upgrade to the next gen of CPU's such as hex-cores.
I'll add that to the bullet points in my earlier post. Personally I'm waiting for Sandy Bridge (next generation) before I buy a six-core CPU, and I'm not counting on it being compatible with current motherboards. But some people could really use a six-core CPU this year despite the insane price, and if so, they need to buy an LGA 1366 motherboard.


The best CPU is the 1156 family is the i5-750 (bang for buck)
I agree, especially if you overclock.

[Freddie]

Like I said, I am building an i5 system with my tax refund. AMD is cheaper but no where near the preformance and an i7 system is overkill and costly.
The folks at TechReview think the AMD X4 965 is about even with the i5 750 in performance, according to their most recent CPU roundup/benchmark article. I was surprised to see this, but that's what they show in their "overall performance" graphs.

I didn't read the article carefully so I don't know how they calculated this. I don't think it takes overclocking into account.

http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/18448/17

[Vecter]

Here is a quick comparison of the 3 levels of the new Core series:

http://ark.intel.com/Compare.aspx?ids=46472,43546,37147,

As you can see the i7 is the only quad core processor. The i3/i5 have integrated graphics.

If you want to upgrade to future multi-core processors your only bet will be to go with the 1366 socket as that will be the socket for enthusiasts. That's not to say the i3/i5 are not worthy of your choice. You get great power and a great price with the added flexibility of integrated graphics (not the best mind you.)

[Freddie]

As you can see the i7 is the only quad core processor. The i3/i5 have integrated graphics.
It's not that simple. The i5-750 is a quad and it does not have integrated graphics.

[Vecter]

It's not that simple. The i5-750 is a quad and it does not have integrated graphics.

Very true, just launched processor. 4core/4threads, unlike the i7 which is 4core/8threads. (Make sure its the i5-750S as the non S is an embedded processor)

Also another thing I didn't mention is the dual-channel and tri-channel memory configurations. The i7 series is tri-channel which means a bit more expense for 3 DDR3 ram modules if you want to take advantage of it.

[Khemikal]

http://ark.intel.com/Compare.aspx?ids=46472,43546,42915,41316,37147,

This link has the bottom end of the main i3/5/7 lines. It shows that i3 is dual core with HT, i5 has dual and quad cores (some duals have HT and some don't), and i7 is quad core with HT. The i3 line does not have Turbo Boost, but the others do. The hex cores are not listed on their website just yet, so I do not have those included.

[Freddie]

The i7 series is tri-channel which means a bit more expense for 3 DDR3 ram modules if you want to take advantage of it.
Not all of the i7 series is tri-channel.

You can't go by the "i" numbers. They are marketing categories, not feature categories. If you want to know anything about the technical features of the chips you have to look at the details of the chips.

[jstanthr]

heres my 2 cents, the 1366 is more future proof AND it will overclock way higher on stock voltages, but the p55 boards are good performers too, either way you can't go wrong.