High-End Buyers' Guide: May 2007
by Dave Robinet and Jarred Walton on May 29, 2007 1:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Guides
Ultra High-End Intel System
One of the most difficult decisions in this guide was choosing between the QX6700 processor and the Core 2 Extreme X6800. The X6800 is the absolute top-end gaming performer due to its slightly higher stock speed, but the additional two cores of the QX6700 will have a more substantial impact in encoding and other content creation applications. The prices between the two processors are virtually identical. Of course, if you're willing to spend even more money the QX6800 is now available (if you can find it in stock) with prices starting at around $1300 and a stock clock speed that matches the X6800 (2.93 GHz). In the end, the QX6700 gets the nod on the grounds that game and application developers are promising that multi-threading will get more attention in the future. We don't expect performance to double in anything but the most extreme cases; however, it will likely have a greater impact than the extra couple hundred megahertz in the X6800.
It's also important to remember that all of Intel's Core 2 Extreme processors have unlocked multipliers, so it's extremely easy to turn your QX6700 into a QX6800. QX6800 parts might have little bit more headroom when it comes to overclocking, but if all you're interested in is a good quad core overclocking chip we would probably take a step back to the Q6600 instead and save some money to invest in a better cooling solution and power supply. Needless to say, combining SLI with a heavily overclocked quad core processor can result in some serious power requirements. (Ed: And in the winter such computers can serve as great space heaters!)
Note that while both the QX6700 and X6800 processors cost roughly double what AMD's flagship FX-74 processor goes for, you need to purchase two FX-74 processors. Intel holds the overall performance crown, and users who want that performance will pay the price, plain and simple. Say it with us: competition is healthy for consumers.
On the subject of expensive components, the ASUS Striker Extreme is one of the highest-priced motherboards on the market today. At $307, users demand - and, fortunately, receive - the best quality and feature set of any comparable motherboard. As is the case with all of ASUS' current "Republic of Gamers" line, there is the diagnostic LCD panel, heat-piping, and SupremeFX audio. The 680i chipset ensures full x16 bandwidth to both graphics cards in an SLI configuration, and a third x16 slot is included which runs at x8 speed. An alternate motherboard selection (if you aren't going to run an SLI configuration) is the ASUS P5WDG2 WS Professional.
Two Crucial BL2KIT12864AA1065 kits bring the Intel system to 4GB of memory. Though clocked at unimpressive 5-5-5-15 timings, this RAM can typically be made to run substantially more aggressively with little effort. Even more impressive is the price - the kits can be had for $130 each (after the massive $85 mail-in rebate, that is).
The remaining components are the same as were chosen in the AMD Ultra High-End platform. The Intel system is almost always going to be faster than the current AMD Quad FX platform, as we showed in our Quad FX article, but the dual sockets and HyperTransport interconnects do allow the AMD platform to scale better in many situations when moving from dual core to quad core. Of course, the power requirements of Quad FX are also quite a bit higher than Intel's Core 2 Quad solutions.
The sweet spot in terms of price/performance for Intel lies in the "mainstream high-end" segment, while we start to see diminishing returns as we move upwards. With Intel's new P35 chipsets and Penryn processors making their introduction in the not-too-distant future, it may make sense to avoid the extreme high-end echelon of processors altogether at the moment.
| Ultra High-End Intel System | |||
| Hardware | Component | Price | Rebates |
| Processor | Core 2 Extreme QX6700 | $967 | - |
| Motherboard | ASUS Striker Extreme | $305 | - |
| Memory | 2 x Crucial Tracer Ballistix BL2KIT12864AA1065 (4x1GB) | $430 | $170 |
| Video Card | 2x MSI NX8800GTX-T2D768E-HD OC GeForce 8800GTX | $1140 | $40 |
| Hard Drive | WD Raptor WD1500ADFD plus WD 5000YS | $361 | - |
| Optical Drive | Pioneer DVR-212BK | $42 | - |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit (OEM) | $125 | - |
| System Total | $3370 | $3160 | |
| Complete Package | $3906-$5565 | $3696-$5355 | |
 |
It's also important to remember that all of Intel's Core 2 Extreme processors have unlocked multipliers, so it's extremely easy to turn your QX6700 into a QX6800. QX6800 parts might have little bit more headroom when it comes to overclocking, but if all you're interested in is a good quad core overclocking chip we would probably take a step back to the Q6600 instead and save some money to invest in a better cooling solution and power supply. Needless to say, combining SLI with a heavily overclocked quad core processor can result in some serious power requirements. (Ed: And in the winter such computers can serve as great space heaters!)
Note that while both the QX6700 and X6800 processors cost roughly double what AMD's flagship FX-74 processor goes for, you need to purchase two FX-74 processors. Intel holds the overall performance crown, and users who want that performance will pay the price, plain and simple. Say it with us: competition is healthy for consumers.
 |
Two Crucial BL2KIT12864AA1065 kits bring the Intel system to 4GB of memory. Though clocked at unimpressive 5-5-5-15 timings, this RAM can typically be made to run substantially more aggressively with little effort. Even more impressive is the price - the kits can be had for $130 each (after the massive $85 mail-in rebate, that is).
The remaining components are the same as were chosen in the AMD Ultra High-End platform. The Intel system is almost always going to be faster than the current AMD Quad FX platform, as we showed in our Quad FX article, but the dual sockets and HyperTransport interconnects do allow the AMD platform to scale better in many situations when moving from dual core to quad core. Of course, the power requirements of Quad FX are also quite a bit higher than Intel's Core 2 Quad solutions.
The sweet spot in terms of price/performance for Intel lies in the "mainstream high-end" segment, while we start to see diminishing returns as we move upwards. With Intel's new P35 chipsets and Penryn processors making their introduction in the not-too-distant future, it may make sense to avoid the extreme high-end echelon of processors altogether at the moment.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
69 Comments
View All Comments
JarredWalton - Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - link
The following is with CrossFire X1950 XTX:QX6700 idle @ 1.60 GHz = 195W (sitting at the desktop)
QX6700 100% CPU load @ 2.67 GHz = 285W (running Folding@Home SMP)
QX6700 100% CPU + 3DMark06 = 488W (Folding@Home SMP and 3DMark06)
QX6700 100% GPU = 441W (running just 3DMark06)
The same system with the processor now overclocked to a 1333 FSB:
QX6700 idle @ 2.00 GHz = 250W (sitting at the desktop)
QX6700 100% CPU load @ 3.33 GHz = 341W (running Folding@Home SMP)
QX6700 100% CPU + 3DMark06 = 545W (Folding@Home SMP and 3DMark06)
QX6700 100% GPU = 476W (running just 3DMark06)
As I mentioned below, if you were to put Radeon HD 2900 XT cards in place of the X1950 XTX cards, it appears the total power draw when running 3D applications would go up almost 150W.
Caligynemania - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - link
Please stop reccomending computer speakers for high end systems. Computer speakers are simply sub-par. Anytime you are spending more than $100 on speakers, people should be looking at Sound&Vision, not Anandtech. Please start advising people to look into real audio solutions rather than the shit for tweets on computer speakers.-Cal
Martimus - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - link
I agree with you there. Just plug into a good reciever with nice speakers. No need to buy made for computer speakers that are supposedly "high end".maan8517 - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - link
My recommendation for computers would be a sub $100 2-speaker combination for whenever you want to show someone else something on the computer and then burn the money on a good set of headphones. The Sennheiser HD650 for example is excellent for the non-price sensitive, and the Koss Headset SB45 is OK for its very low price.Emryse - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - link
I have to admit that I am only dissappointed as I've just purchased my new build a few days ago (and therefore makes this article impracticle for me).Other than that - a great article with the usual clear, reasonable explanations for choices made; hey, a few of my components even made the list!
I just wanted to add that you might consider ammending the ASUS P5N32-E mobo to the alternative from the "Striker Extreme" for those who perhaps want the same core experience of that lineup without some of the "extra" features. That is, unless there is some problem with this mobo, in which case I would need to:
a.) hear from you about any problems with the board
b.) return to vendor from whence it came
c.) purchase new board from list
At any rate, thanks and keep it up! (Oh, and welcome aboard Dave!)
JarredWalton - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - link
Hi everyone,Say hello to our new contributing editor, Dave Robinet! As always, we welcome your comments and feedback, and hopefully we will be able to get new Buyers' Guides out in a more timely fashion. Try to go easy on him, as we don't want to scare him way after one pilot article. Or just flame away as usual.... ;)
Take care,
Jarred Walton
Senior Editor, Displays and Laptops
http://www.AnandTech.com">http://www.AnandTech.com
Dave Robinet - Thursday, May 31, 2007 - link
Thanks, Jarred, for the introduction, and thanks, everyone for reading and providing comment. :)anandtech02148 - Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - link
Howdy Dave and Jarred,I'm always curious as to what Anandtech recommend for high end or low budget, but how come the high end system never include a LianLi case. Ever sinces the 8800gtx came out with it's arm's length, Lianli case is ready to answer this with it's modular approach.
Also a Lianli's case is fancy on the eyes don't you think?
Just my 2cents, i owned 2 Lianli cases and i'm a big fan of it.
Dave Robinet - Thursday, May 31, 2007 - link
Lian Li cases are great, and that was suggested by a couple of other editors. Cases (assuming they haven't made any catastrophic errors in terms of airflow or quality) generally come down to preference - they could just have easily been included in the Guide.Thanks again!
dave