CPU, Case, Storage Choices for High Performance, Low Heat

[Fun Guy]

I am in the luxurious position of being able to build a graphics machine from the ground up. Problem is, I've been out of the game for about 2 years (which is like 15 years in technology) and I have no idea what I'm doing. The chip choices are absolutely overwhelming, just within one brand.

So, I have a few of questions -

(1) What is the best performing CPU that doesn't heat the Arctic? I want a solid performer that doesn't require anything more than stock cooling. Will not be overclocking.

(2) What is a good, solid mid-tower case? I want a case I can populate with quiet fans and a quiet power supply. I'd also like front-panel access to Firewire, USB, storage reading, etc.

(3) What type of storage? I will be going full-on SCSI RAID 0 for boot/OS/apps, but I will want quick access to video footage on some type of ATA drive.

Thanks.

 

[WelshBloke]

1) intel core 2 duo

2) Silverstone Temjin TJ07 (i'm only saying that cos I really want one! They are overpriced) Antec P180 seems popular

3) ??? pretty much any SATA hard drive is going to be quick enough for video footage.

 

[cmdrdredd]

SCSI RAID is expensive... SATA RAID (built on most motherboards) is cheap.

ANY CPU that you buy runs just fine on stock cooling with no overclocking. WHat you're asking is basically "which is the fastest available" in which case you haven't looked around lately to see all the Intel C2D threads popping up.

 

[Fun Guy]

Originally posted by: cmdrdreddSCSI RAID is expensive... SATA RAID (built on most motherboards) is cheap.

True about price, but a SCSI RAID 0 boot array with two 15K RPM 18GB Cheetah drives on a full hardware RAID card in a PCI-X16 bus (I think) would be faster than any SATA RAID array....the only thing I don't have is the RAID card, I already have the drives.

Originally posted by: cmdrdreddANY CPU that you buy runs just fine on stock cooling with no overclocking. WHat you're asking is basically "which is the fastest available" in which case you haven't looked around lately to see all the Intel C2D threads popping up.

You're right, thanks - I guess it's Core 2 Duo then, right?

 

[RapidSnail]

1.) Intel Core 2 Duo (Preferably E6600 and up)

2.) Antec P180 (Check out the SPCR review)

3.) Western Digital Raptor 10K RPM's (Go for the 150 GB version)

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Fun Guy

Originally posted by: cmdrdreddSCSI RAID is expensive... SATA RAID (built on most motherboards) is cheap.

True about price, but a SCSI RAID 0 boot array with two 15K RPM 18GB Cheetah drives on a full hardware RAID card in a PCI-X16 bus (I think) would be faster than any SATA RAID array....the only thing I don't have is the RAID card, I already have the drives.

Originally posted by: cmdrdreddANY CPU that you buy runs just fine on stock cooling with no overclocking. WHat you're asking is basically "which is the fastest available" in which case you haven't looked around lately to see all the Intel C2D threads popping up.

You're right, thanks - I guess it's Core 2 Duo then, right?

If I'm not mistaken the PCI-x16 slot is for video...

 

[Talcite]

cmdrdredd is right. PCIE 16x is for graphics cards. You should be looking for a board with PCIX slots. Those are for the raid controller cards. Unfortunately, you'll have to find a workstation board or a board for servers to have PCIX slots. They arn't common on regular desktop boards.

For raid 0, any cheap old SCSI raid card will do. Don't bother with things like dedicated multiprocessors or onboard ram.

And yes, the conroe C2D is the best chip out atm.

I'm curious. What application would you need that requires 2 x 15k cheetahs at raid 0? I'm pretty sure even the most demanding video editing workstations just simply use SATA nowadays.