House Destroyed By Fire - Need Advice On Haswell-E To Replace i7-3770k System

[muskyx1]

So as the title says, I lost my house and everything I ever owned in a fire a couple of months ago.

This included a 50" 4K LED monitor, an LG 65" 3D 1080P LED HDTV and a 7.1 Onkyo 1200W Surround Sound system that saved me the trouble of having to climb up on my roof to remove snow. The 400W active subwoofer would vibrate the snow off the roof for me.

But what hurt the most was the loss of my gaming/video authoring rig.

ASUS P8Z77-V Pro
i7-3770k CPU
2 x Sapphire HD7950 OC Crossfire
2x 8Gb G.Skill F3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM
Adata SX-900 256Gb SSD
4x 2Tb Seagate Hybrid HDD's
2x 3Tb Seagate HDD's
Hydro Series™ H100i Extreme Performance CPU Cooler
win GR one full tower gaming case
1200W Coolmax PSU

Along with about 8 Tb's of HD movies and photos that could not be retrieved from any of the HDD's after the fire.

Anyway, I'm getting ready to put together a Haswell-E rig and I pretty much have everything selected except for the CPU. Trying to justify spending the extra $220 for the i7-5930k over the i7-5820k.

Gonna use the rig for mostly gaming but also a huge amount of video encoding/recoding and probably some OC'ing.

What do you guys think, spend the extra $220 for the i7-5930k.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Would the more PCIE lanes help with encoding?

 

[DrMrLordX]

Surprised you haven't gotten more responses here.

First off, sorry about your fire. That sort of thing is a tragedy that goes far beyond computer hardware. Not trying to rub ash in the wounds, just letting you know . . . sorry. Anyway.

Haswell-E was just recently reviewed by a whole slew of sites. You'll find links and commentary in its own thread here on the AT forums.

The 5930k doesn't offer you much beyond superior clockspeed and more PCI-e lanes. Do you really need those lanes for your video cards? They're probably not going to do much for your encoding/transcoding. After a decent overclock, I'd expect the 5820k and 5930k to sit in about the same position. The only way I'd think the 5930k would be superior would be in a quadfire/quad sli config or something.

 

[vMax65]

Sorry to hear about the fire but at least you are OK. Though new on here, I would go the extra mile as you are doing a whole refresh to the new platform and if you are not going to be chopping and changing then spending the extra will be worth it in the long run. Please do keep in mind that I am new to this and others might give you better advice.

 

[Kitlope]

Sorry about your loss. It's stories like yours is why I store my pictures not only on 3 different drives here at home, but a set offsite at my friends. Everything else doesn't really matter but the pictures of my daughter are priceless to me.

I think the 5820 would meet your needs just fine.

 

[Rvenger]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I would go for the 5820k with the MSI X99S SLI Plus. The extra lanes would more than likely not benefit you unless you were running 2x dual GPUs. 8x PCI-E 3.0 is still plenty of bandwidth. Ian Cutress even explains it on OCN.

So I'm looking at the X99 WS manual here, and it says:

CPU with 40 lanes, x16 for one, x16/x16 for two. x16/x16/x8 for three and x8/x8/x8/x8 for four
CPU with 28 lanes, x16 for one, x16/x8 for two, x8/x8/x8 for three

The issue is that to get x8/x8/x8, you need additional clock generators on the motherboard, which I think most manufacturers will do, even on the cheap boards. Have a look in the manual to confirm though.

On the x8/x8/x8/x8 for 4x, again some motherboard (GIGABYTE) will offer x8/x16/x8/x8 because they use a clock generator. Check the manual

http://www.overclock.net/t/1510106/various-intel-haswell-e-5960x-5930k-5820k-reviews/210

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Your fire tragedy makes me want to puke just thinking about it.

Why am I guessing that you live up in Washington or Oregon? I was thinking more like Washington.

I'm hoping you had a digital archive stashed away or backups. If you need a computer right away (or don't have a laptop that makes up), you might pick up a budget end unit for the interim.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is this. I'd like to think a Haswell-E system is a "serious" project. I wouldn't want to be in a hurry to just "slap something together."

Folks here are discussing the resources -- PCI-E lanes -- that depend on processor choices. In my mind, I'd want a spreadsheet with the alternatives with budget columns. That way I could decide whether "excess" features, resources or computing-power would make sense having in "surplus" despite a possibly greater expenditure.

But even so. I think as we arrived at Devils Canyon already, the processing power of these "E" CPUs has exceeded most personal needs. If you build a six-core system, how close could you ever come to using the full capacity? Or -- what does that even mean?

I'm going to build one -- likely next year -- but I'm just a bit reticent, because it's not at all about need. It's about bragging rights, benchmark achievements, and just "having it" with a keen adjustment of clock speed and cooling system.

The longer I put it off, the more sane I'll feel when I finally get there. But in the OP's case, there's the dilemma that he needs to replace his Starship, but the urgency can defeat the outcome.

And again. About the fire. I could retch. I feel your pain. It feels so bad, it hurts in that "core" place . . . .

 

[muskyx1]

Thanks for the replies and kind words everyone. I actually reside in southern Ontario.


Probably sounds hard to believe, but the fire took place on the night before I was planning to attend a homicide trial for 2 SOB’s that murdered a former engineering classmate and really good friend of mine.

http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2014/06/25/pair_found_guilty_in_brampton_realtors_murder.html

Needless to say, it was a really rough week, but I’m glad to say that the jury needed just a few fours to convict the 2 scumbags of first degree murder.

As for the fire, family and friends think it was a blessing in disguise. I was planning to sell the house next year and move closer to my mom, but the house was in really bad shape. I figured it would take 20 to 30 grand to get the house in selling shape. But now, insurance is pretty much going to build me a brand new house with all new appliances and hopefully, and a pretty decent kitchen. Turns out the fire was caused by a really crappy surge protector that a fishing buddy got for me for Christmas a couple of years ago.

But as many pointed out, there’s stuff that can’t be replaced like some really old photos my mom asked me to restore. The originals and digitized copies both went up with the house. And as many suggested, gonna start backing up important data on a regular basis now.

Back to the subject at hand. I’m leaning towards this i7-5930k bundle at Newegg –

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboBu...=Combo.1814725

With a single GTX 770

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814500303

Reason being, I was gaming on a 4k monitor before the fire and the 2 crossfired HD7950’s were really struggling to keep up. Would be nice to know that the option of a tri/quad GPU setup was available when I get a 4k 3D LED TV probably next year when prices start to drop. Plus, the insurance company will cover about 85% of total cost of the system

Thanks again all.

 

[Rvenger]

FWIW

For less, I would go with the XFX DD R9 290 if you still don't mind going AMD. You will get GTX 780 performance for less than the cost of the 770.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-697-_-Product

EDIT: If you are using it for 3D then I would recommend Nvidia in this case.

 

[RussianSensation]

If the insurance company will cover up to 85% of the cost of the system, try to at least move up to a 780/780Ti. Also, Nv has a key media event this month where they should announce 970/980. Maybe you can hold off in the GPU given how close Maxwell may be to launch.

http://videocardz.com/52108/nvidia-announces-game24-24-gaming-event-maxwelliscoming

 

[BonzaiDuck]

If the insurance company will cover up to 85% of the cost of the system, try to at least move up to a 780/780Ti. Also, Nv has a key media event this month where they should announce 970/980. Maybe you can hold off in the GPU given how close Maxwell may be to launch.

http://videocardz.com/52108/nvidia-announces-game24-24-gaming-event-maxwelliscoming

Sketchy in my mind and memory, but these sorts of insurance policies have separate coverages for home and the "contents." I knew a gal in Dallas back in the '70s whose three-year-old began playing with matches in her clothes closet one night, and she went through all this. When I'd go over to visit, she was making up a list that included $4 bottles of kitchen spices -- it was so detailed. But it depends on the policy declarations and how it's covered or for how much.

I guess this will be a year the OP will never forget. I'd thought he lived in the Pacific Northwest, with a lot of homes destroyed by forest fires. But no -- Toronto.

And now -- I'm also a bit personally concerned.

I have deployed -- in this house -- five APC UPS systems, and I have two "spares" for which I also replaced the batteries. I also use surge-protectors for stuff that doesn't need to be powered if there's a brownout. Scary. Clean all the dust from yur rat's-nest. Replace old surge protectors, I guess . . .

 

[DrMrLordX]

OP, if you are looking to go tri/quad SLI in the future, then stepping up to the 5930x will give you more flexibility wrt PCI-e lanes. That is a good choice.

Though it is a trifle off-topic, I would be interested in knowing how your faulty surge protector started the fire for educational purposes. Maybe it could help others around here avoid similar problems.

 

[muskyx1]

OP, if you are looking to go tri/quad SLI in the future, then stepping up to the 5930x will give you more flexibility wrt PCI-e lanes. That is a good choice.

Though it is a trifle off-topic, I would be interested in knowing how your faulty surge protector started the fire for educational purposes. Maybe it could help others around here avoid similar problems.

Investigator believes it either overheated or shorted out and ignited a dust bunny that made it's way into the inner works of the surge protector's housing. But I don't think it was conclusive enough for them to launch legal action and he couldn't find any recalls of surge protectors that fit the description of the one I had. And it was a really weird looking one at that. It was sloped on one side with 10 to 12 outlets altogether on the diagonal surface. Plenty of unused outlets for dust to enter. And on the back vertical surface of it, there was this really big oval power button surrounded by a good sized gap. Another avenue for dust to get in.

It was shaped like a right angle trapezoid

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Trapezoid.png

If you own one like that, get rid of it.

From there, it set my sofa ablaze and there was no stopping it after that. Fire chief made a call to let the blaze run it's course because of explosions coming from inside my house. Crews heard at least a dozen of them. I told him they were probably cans of spider-blaster and mosquito fogger along with a whole bunch of spray paint and WD-40.

So as BonzaiDuck stated in his post, best way to prevent something like this is "Clean all the dust from yur rat's-nest. " But I would add conducting a web search for recalls of surge protectors and back up power units you own to see if they show up on any of the lists. Investigator told me you'll be surprised how many fires are caused by surge protectors.

My lesson learned is not to locate any surge or backup unit near surfaces that can collect and dissipate dust. In my case, a sofa. I'm sure each time someone sat down or got up, it deposited lint/dust onto the unit that helped create the one dust bunny that help destroy my house.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

seriously, Intel priced the 5820K too low and/or the 5930K too high. Truly, the only significant reason to go for the 5930K is if you're going to be running at least four 8x/16x PCI-e cards or maybe two dual GPU cards.

either save the $220 or spend elsewhere; more/faster DDR4, more/faster SSD, more/faster GPU, better motherboard, better cooling, so many possibilities...literally just about anything else will benefit you more for that $220...again, unless you plan on running more than three 8x/16x PCI-e cards

but intel knew what they were doing, I see so many people toying with the idea of going for the 5930K who really have no need for it and would actually be better off with the 5820K and spending the savings on better cooling to help achieve higher overclock, and of course they want the 5930K because of the prestige of the higher model number and it is within their reach (unlike the $1K 5960X)

 

[sm625]

I had a dream my house caught fire. I saved my computer in a heroic display of materialism. When I got out to the street my gf asked why I didnt save her's. I said I'll be right back.

 

[BrightCandle]

If you are thinking a 770 then honestly get the 5820. Yes maybe in the future you might want to go triple or even quad cards, but if right now you are just going the one by the time you want quads you'll probably find the card is obsolete, that card is basically 18 months old already and basically end of life product soon to be replaced. I can understand the desire to maybe do it with a new product and add more later, but an upper mid range end of life card just isn't worth hanging onto in 2 years time. So save some money on the CPU on instead get a higher end GPU with the cash it saves, it will be a better gaming rig for it.

 

[westom]

Investigator believes it either overheated or shorted out and ignited a dust bunny that made it's way into the inner works of the surge protector's housing.

Fire by plug-in protectors is more common than known. Read its spec numbers. It claims to absorb hundreds of joules (near zero joules). So a thermal fuse must exist to disconnect protector parts as fast as possible. Sometimes that fuse does not blow fast enough. House fires result. As discussed by others:
https://forums.thefirepanel.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=6334
http://www.kimbertonfire.org/content/safety/SurgeProtectors.cfm
http://forum.statcounter.com/vb/showthread.php?t=35279

Schneider Electric bought APC. Then discovered some APC protectors were so prone to fire that they must be elminated now- immediately. That major recall was last October.

Gaston County fire marshall discussed this fire by plug-in protector problem due to a fire in their own fire house.

Recent fires involving multiple outlet devices toted as surge suppressors raised attention at the Gaston County Fire Marshal's office primarily when one such fire occurred in a fire station. Investigation of a fire that started behind a desk in an office revealed the ignition source was a surge suppressor. ...

Within that firehouse, three separate surge suppressors were recovered and examined. Each had failed, the one caught on fire, another suppressor ceased working, while the third continued working but later was found to have failed internally. These findings, coupled with suspicion of suppressor involvement in other fires, prompted in-depth examination of possible reasons.
...
Alternatively, fire investigators m[a]y correctly determine the suppressor was involved in ignition but improperly categorize the cause as overloading or other related failure initiated by the user.

Only a thermal fuse separates you from a house fire. Just another reason why all homes should have robust 'whole house' protection which costs about $1 per protected appliance. Even power strip protectors need that protection.

 

[RussianSensation]

but intel knew what they were doing, I see so many people toying with the idea of going for the 5930K who really have no need for it and would actually be better off with the 5820K and spending the savings on better cooling to help achieve higher overclock, and of course they want the 5930K because of the prestige of the higher model number and it is within their reach (unlike the $1K 5960X)

You got that right. It's amazing how hardly anyone complained about Z97's lack of PCIe lanes for dual-GPU setups and all that platform had was x8/x8 and yet when 5820K can do x8/x8/x8/x4 which allows for Tri-SLI or Tri-Fire, it's not enough somehow. It sounds crazy to some but you could even do Quad-Fire on a 5820K because PCIe 3.0 x4 is still fast because it's still = PCIe 2.0 x8 and many people ran dual GPUs on PCIe 2.0 x8/x8!

5820K + Swiftech H220-X > 5930K all day. Alternatively, it's like taking $200 and dropping it into a faster GPU, larger SSD. If 5930K proves to be better binned and overclocks 200-300mhz better, I could understand but I doubt it.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Well . . . . I'm going to spring for Battlefield 4 and try it on this system I have. There's a limit to what I'd spend on quad-SLI -- or even SLI. I'll have to give it a whirl.

Back to the other topic. I'm hoping someone was speaking of APC SURGE-suppressor devices. I've got APC UPS's all over the freakin' house. I think I even have a couple APC surge-protectors!!

And the guy with the dream? That's funny -- until the dream comes true.

My dream is about "retirement" (14 years ago, but I still have it). I put in the papers, but somehow felt "compelled" to keep working as an "annuitant." One day I was walking to work, the light-bulb went on: "Hey! I'm retired! Why am I still working?!" I went to find the personnel office in dark corridors where I was sure it would be. It wasn't there! I started asking bystanders as my panic grew. Soon, they were all laughing hysterically like a crowd in a Rod Serling episode -- echoing all over the hallways. Then -- I wake up. . . . Sure -- it's not a PTSD Vietnam dream. It's just not a pleasant dream!