CPU: Intel Core i7 920
The decision to go with Intel’s Core i7 wasn’t an easy one, especially with AMD’s Phenom II offering a very compelling price/performance ratio. Ultimately, the choice came down to price. With the $1,300 ceiling allowing us to get the Core i7-920, as well as other powerful components, it was a hard CPU to ignore.
Read Customer Reviews of Intel's Core i7-920
In our past experiences with the Core i7-920, we’ve been rewarded with strong performance and high overclocks. The only real downside to using this CPU in a Micro-ATX system is the high amount of heat it kicks out. Previously, we've seen the Core i7-920 hit close to 100 degrees Celsius, and we’re not especially optimistic that temperatures will stay low in a small Micro-ATX chassis. We will try to address this with an aftermarket CPU cooler.
As well, there aren’t a lot of Core i7 Micro-ATX motherboards out there that support the dual graphics card configuration for which our budget allows. But despite these shortcomings, the Core i7 CPU will likely supply us with the highest performance possible in this price range, so we’ll do our best to find a good cooler and motherboard to accompany it.
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I wonder why this system builder marathon was limited to Micro-ATX cases. Is there a general trend towards these things or what? I'm looking to build a whole new system soon and I can't see any reason to go Micro-ATX.
I don’t think it’s a trend, think of it as more of a challenge. Some people don’t want to have a giant full/mid tower sitting next to them.
Right, I don't mind that at all, so I'll stick to a normal case when assembling my next system. Thanks!
Nice challenge but what's the point when the system dies a couple of months down the line due to shorten life span of all components as a result of high temps. Then you spend another $1300?
I can't remember if it was this or one of the other SBM articles this month, but they mentioned something about these PCs being LAN boxes - if so heat is going to be even more of an issue (much higher ambient temps, cases right next to each other) so this system would be pretty unviable.
I know that my PC runs as much as 10 degress hotter in that environment - if it's in the low 90s on the CPU and at the limit of GPU stability already, another ten degrees will see it constantly throttling, making errors or shutting down.
Assuming that we were building a full ATX system, what would have been the motherboard of choice for this PC?
Can I also remind everyone that these articles are irrelevent on this side of the Atlantic? Intel and nVidia prices in particular are far, FAR lower in the US - such a system would be over 30% more over here! SLI GTX260 for £200 my arse!