AMD 955BE + 5770 good bang for buck quad rig?

[Pob255]

The Antec Basiq are not meant to be upto the usual Antec standard.

I knew I forgot something on my last post, don't get the Basiq model.

[strengthofmind]

Seems like everyone agrees pretty much with CATs list, so I'll probably get that.

Is the stock 955 cooler fine?

(I'd have added thanks on a lot of posts but I can't spot how.)

[kalniel]

(I'd have added thanks on a lot of posts but I can't spot how.)

When you've contributed a bit more to Hexus the thank button will appear.

http://forums.hexus.net/welcome-hexu...r-rewards.html

[McPhee]

Seems like everyone agrees pretty much with CATs list, so I'll probably get that.

Is the stock 955 cooler fine?

(I'd have added thanks on a lot of posts but I can't spot how.)

The stock cooler isn't bad at all. Generally speaking people only upgrade to either overclock or silence their rigs.

[Domestic_Ginger]

Stock cooler is mean to be ok but a little loud. Pob found a coolermaster on play.com for £18 or so; he has used it in his i5 build. I would try the stock and change if you're not happy think about one of those.

Sure youalready know to check the CPU revision and try to get the C3; it should OC another 200mhz or so over the c2.

[strengthofmind]

How strong is the argument for spending the ~£40 more for the i5 750 with 1156 mobo?

It may not beat the 955 on ever benchmark, but it's at the lower end of the spectrum for its platform as opposed to the top end, which means as prices drop in the future an upgrade is more likely possible...

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

How strong is the argument for spending the ~£40 more for the i5 750 with 1156 mobo?

It may not beat the 955 on ever benchmark, but it's at the lower end of the spectrum for its platform as opposed to the top end, which means as prices drop in the future an upgrade is more likely possible...

Actually you will be spending more than that in reality. If you want to get a P55 motherboard which can do symmetrical Crossfire you are looking at spending at least £120 to £130!!

I would read this article:

http://www.hardware-revolution.com/p...mance-problem/

Also the P55 motherboards under £95 tend to have only 4+1 phase VRMs,most still have electrolyte capacitors,no VRM cooling and are stripped of features to fit the price point. These motherboards tend to be similar in functionality and build quality to AM3 motherboards under £65. The 8+2 phase VRM AM3 motherboards with all solid capacitors start at around £65 whereas the P55 motherboards with similar features start at nearer £100.

AMD is still following a similar pricing structure to what Intel had with socket 775 meaning that the £60 to £100 price-point encompasses midrange motherboards with socket AM2+ and socket AM3 whereas at the £65 to £95 price-point you are looking at budget H55 and P55 motherboards. Since Intel has made sure that Nvidia cannot make any chipsets for socket 1156 they have a monopoly on the chipset market for socket 1156 and 1366.

The Phenom II X6 is being released for socket AM3 in the next few months too and there is a possibility that Bulldozer will also work in it.