Upgrade from i7 950 to Xeon W3690?

[E. C. Yian]

I plan to buy one shortly. From eBay. Within a week?
Did you receive yours already?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Should be here by Saturday or Monday.

 

[E. C. Yian]

I understand the reason one OC is to increase the performance of the processor.
How much increase in performance can one realize by OCing?

 

[Burpo]

That depends on the cpu you choose & your cooling. I was successfully able to double the speed of an L5639, from 2.13ghz to 4.27ghz. Currently running the X5650, a 2.66ghz chip at 4.37ghz (64% higher). You won't be able to do that with the higher binned chips.

 

[E. C. Yian]

Is it considered doable to get 20% to 30% improvement in performance. And this typically will produce a stable computer?

Stability is my man concern as I do not want to play computer but play music and do some Photoshop work. When the computer crashes I say "what did I do wrong". Now I will add perhaps the OC is creating the crash. Am I justified in my thinking?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Is it considered doable to get 20% to 30% improvement in performance. And this typically will produce a stable computer?

Stability is my man concern as I do not want to play computer but play music and do some Photoshop work. When the computer crashes I say "what did I do wrong". Now I will add perhaps the OC is creating the crash. Am I justified in my thinking?

4GHz is doable with 32 nm chips without any stability concerns. 4.2GHz and greater and you'll start to get into the realm of instability if you don't manually do some voltage tweaking. Mainly the Vcore, and possibly the VTT. VTT is important when you raise your 133 BCLK beyond 170 but with the W3690 there will be no need to raise the BCLK at all because the multiplier is unlocked. So you'll just have to adjust the Vcore and typcially with these 32nm chips 1.30v (Vcore) will safely run 4GHz

 

[E. C. Yian]

Other than that, Skylake is due out soon, and may be worth waiting for. A complete new system is always nice, but the LGA 1366 Hex Core CPU's are really holding up well.

Can we briefly re-visit this possibility. Even though I am trying to save money if I can see the value I can spend accordingly.

What is to be gained by the Skylake and for how much? Out in August, so we are looking for a September completion date?

Is going Haswell-E route reasonable? More likely with the 5930k? Are there any use specs with prices that one can check out?

So far in this thread I have completely eliminated the option to do nothing to my music computer. The most like scenario is to get the W3690 and OC to achieve a 50%+ performance improvement. But let me review one final time the option and build a new music/Photoshop computer.

 

[Burpo]

You should do what you're comfortable with. The hex core Xeons are nice for raw compute power. Single thread performance is lacking a bit, but for creating/editing, any real cpu hungry apps, they shine, especially when overclocked.

The Skylake platform is nice if you want to build something new.. Up to you..

 

[E. C. Yian]

You should do what you're comfortable with. The hex core Xeons are nice for raw compute power. Single thread performance is lacking a bit, but for creating/editing, any real cpu hungry apps, they shine, especially when overclocked.

The Skylake platform is nice if you want to build something new.. Up to you..

"nice" is not a good enough reason to wait till August for the Skylake.

So it seems to me that we are down to by how much in performance increase the W3690 vs the 5930k over my current i7 950 processor will offer. The cost is $190 vs $2000. I can justify the $2000+ expenditure if the performance increase is substantial. And I tell my self I will keep for 7-8 years. Feel free to recommend another processor other than the 5930k.

Sorry for the swift change of direction. Sometimes when you sleep you can wake up with different ideas.

 

[mfenn]

"nice" is not a good enough reason to wait till August for the Skylake.

So it seems to me that we are down to by how much in performance increase the W3690 vs the 5930k over my current i7 950 processor will offer. The cost is $190 vs $2000. I can justify the $2000+ expenditure if the performance increase is substantial. And I tell my self I will keep for 7-8 years. Feel free to recommend another processor other than the 5930k.

Sorry for the swift change of direction. Sometimes when you sleep you can wake up with different ideas.

Unless you are substantially CPU-limited with your current workload and/or the activities that you perform on the computer generate "enough" revenue, I don't see how spending $1800 more on a new Haswell-E system makes a lot of sense.

Stability is my man concern as I do not want to play computer but play music and do some Photoshop work. When the computer crashes I say "what did I do wrong". Now I will add perhaps the OC is creating the crash. Am I justified in my thinking?

If stability and low noise is more important than performance, then you should not consider overclocking in my opinion.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Unless you are substantially CPU-limited with your current workload and/or the activities that you perform on the computer generate "enough" revenue, I don't see how spending $1800 more on a new Haswell-E system makes a lot of sense.



If stability and low noise is more important than performance, then you should not consider overclocking in my opinion.

I'd really like to know how an i7 950 is too slow for Audio creation, and Photoshop. I'd have to guess more cores would be better with either case scenario. :hmm:

EDIT: I would get a six core and while waiting for it to come in I would also plan and research other parts in-case I wanted to sell off the 6 core and move on. I agree a 5930K build is way off the financial charts for the scenario here. He's more likely in need of an SSD drive also. That will stick around for a few builds for him.

 

[E. C. Yian]

Unless you are substantially CPU-limited with your current workload and/or the activities that you perform on the computer generate "enough" revenue, I don't see how spending $1800 more on a new Haswell-E system makes a lot of sense.

If stability and low noise is more important than performance, then you should not consider overclocking in my opinion.

Thanks for chiming in.

I have no other vices to spend money on. Music and digital art is my passion. I am not a professional artist though I hope to eventually make some money with my art/music. So to some degree I can spend for this vice if need be.

I often have to wait in Photoshop to render. Very annoying. Yes I can step back and do some chores. In music I have not pushed the current computer to the limit but may do so as I get more into to it as I plan to do.

Hard to pass up help from BTRY B 529th FA BN to OC the W3690. I will take my chances here and learn a bit in the process.

 

[E. C. Yian]

I'd really like to know how an i7 950 is too slow for Audio creation, and Photoshop. I'd have to guess more cores would be better with either case scenario. :hmm:

EDIT: I would get a six core and while waiting for it to come in I would also plan and research other parts in-case I wanted to sell off the 6 core and move on. I agree a 5930K build is way off the financial charts for the scenario here. He's more likely in need of an SSD drive also. That will stick around for a few builds for him.

My thinking it is always better to err on the side of overkill than to be a victim of a slow computer. From what I sense is that my 950 is already an overkill!? In the Music forums a fast computer is like gold. Yes gold is expensive so my current gold stash is enough, sort of, to get me through the next 5-6 years.

Ok I will order the W3690 soon. I will abandon my quest for the ultimate computer until the next build. Thanks for the offer to help me OC.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

My thinking it is always better to err on the side of overkill than to be a victim of a slow computer. From what I sense is that my 950 is already an overkill!? In the Music forums a fast computer is like gold. Yes gold is expensive so my current gold stash is enough, sort of, to get me through the next 5-6 years.

Ok I will order the W3690 soon. I will abandon my quest for the ultimate computer until the next build. Thanks for the offer to help me OC.

My W3690 came in today so I will have the next few days to fool around with it and hopefully soon help you


EDIT: and don't forget, if you decide it's not enough for your likings that X58 platform with that chip should be able to rake in some decent money to put towards a new system. If it were me I'd only do a platform upgrade meaning just swap out the motherboard, processor, and ram. From leisurely checking prices on the 6 core Haswell E systems you are looking close to 1K USD. And like I said throw in an SSD main boot drive, and a Scratch SSD drive for swapping files with Photoshop.

 

[E. C. Yian]

My W3690 came in today so I will have the next few days to fool around with it and hopefully soon help you


EDIT: and don't forget, if you decide it's not enough for your likings that X58 platform with that chip should be able to rake in some decent money to put towards a new system. If it were me I'd only do a platform upgrade meaning just swap out the motherboard, processor, and ram. From leisurely checking prices on the 6 core Haswell E systems you are looking close to 1K USD. And like I said throw in an SSD main boot drive, and a Scratch SSD drive for swapping files with Photoshop.

Hmmmmm! Just swap the processor/mobo/ram!

This looks good
$1100 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9178855&SRCCODE=WEBGOOPA&scid=scplp1572406&gclid=COKI3ofQ1MYCFUWPHwodP6sJUg
http://biz.tigerdirect.com/product/itemKey/102585536

Do you have a link?

What performance gains do I expect to get compared to i7 950? Need to know this to help me decide.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Hmmmmm! Just swap the processor/mobo/ram!

This looks good
$1100 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9178855&SRCCODE=WEBGOOPA&scid=scplp1572406&gclid=COKI3ofQ1MYCFUWPHwodP6sJUg
http://biz.tigerdirect.com/product/itemKey/102585536

Do you have a link?

What performance gains do I expect to get compared to i7 950? Need to know this to help me decide.

I don't have a link, sorry. I was just remembering from casually looking what it would cost to upgrade. I knew the cost but didn't configure anything. You'll have to research the motherboard and ram, unless someone can chime in on how those are. Of course the processor will bring in a substantial gain in performance, but for desktop use an SSD drive will speed things up also. You never did mention if you were using a HDD or an SSD with your system (or did i not read that part?)

 

[E. C. Yian]

found this
http://www.portatech.com/products/product.cshtml?id=86295&o=86277&gclid=CKuv7ODS1MYCFUWPHwodP6sJUg
$900 complete bundle

and this:
http://www.pricewatch.com/price/motherboard_combos/i7-5930k

No ssd at present on the music computer

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

found this
http://www.portatech.com/products/product.cshtml?id=86295&o=86277&gclid=CKuv7ODS1MYCFUWPHwodP6sJUg
$900 complete bundle

and this:
http://www.pricewatch.com/price/motherboard_combos/i7-5930k

No ssd at present on the music computer

Looks decent. Asrock makes great boards.

What features do you want or need on a motherboard? e.g. usb 3.1, M.2 ?

I would definately add an SSD drive or two. One for your main/boot and the other for a scratch for photo shop type stuff..

 

[E. C. Yian]

Computer requirements for Photoshop
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/optimize-performance-photoshop.html
at 12 GB RAM I may not need a scratch disk.
The C drive on SSD is not bad idea and may do that sometime in the future.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Computer requirements for Photoshop
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/optimize-performance-photoshop.html
at 12 GB RAM I may not need a scratch disk. Current?
The C drive on SSD is not bad idea and may do that sometime in the future.

I do not do Photoshop or music creation and I don't know if you've had any issues with running out of ram while doing Photoshop. If you do and have run out of memory and you want to stay with your current rig you can probably max out at 24gb of ram. I am using 2 8GB dimms in my gaming pc Single 8GB module 1.35v @ 1600MHz CL8.8.8.24. Personally the only thing I don't like about them is they have a high tRFC secondary timing. Not sure why, maybe it's the huge 8GB dimm module but my 2GB dimm module is tight at 59 tRFC.

If you decide to go ahead with the Haswell build then you will spend alot of money just on the RAM alone. I think some 32GB kits go for 3-400 dollars. Not sure though.

 

[E. C. Yian]

Misc. Components that I will keep.

GPU: EVGA 012-P3-1470-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready

Audio: Presonus Firebox needs Firewire
Other hardware require USB 2. Minimum 8 USP ports

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335

CASE: COOLER MASTER RC-692-KKN2 CM690 II Advanced Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216

Scythe SCMG-2100 Sleeve CPU Cooler (Mugen 2 Rev. B) Processor Cooler. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185 142&cm_re=scythe_cooler-_-35-185-142-_-Product

Nice to have USB3 but none of my current hardware requires it. I have one USB 3 HDD.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Hmm, I have an old Firewire B card that I don't use anymore. Firewire 800. I think it's a PCIx card not sure though it's been years since I seen it.


So what are you deciding on?

 

[E. C. Yian]

I do not do Photoshop or music creation and I don't know if you've had any issues with running out of ram while doing Photoshop. If you do and have run out of memory and you want to stay with your current rig you can probably max out at 24gb of ram. I am using 2 8GB dimms in my gaming pc Single 8GB module 1.35v @ 1600MHz CL8.8.8.24. Personally the only thing I don't like about them is they have a high tRFC secondary timing. Not sure why, maybe it's the huge 8GB dimm module but my 2GB dimm module is tight at 59 tRFC.

If you decide to go ahead with the Haswell build then you will spend alot of money just on the RAM alone. I think some 32GB kits go for 3-400 dollars. Not sure though.

The way I work 12 to 16 GB RAM should be fine. But I should get 8 GB sticks so that I can add more later if I need it. Sounds reasonable?

As for audio 12 to 16 GB RAM should be more the adequate. I will add more RAM rather than a small SSD scratch disc. I will decide when and if I face that problem.

Here http://www.portatech.com/products/product.cshtml?id=86295&o=86277&gclid=CKuv7ODS1MYCFUWPHwodP6sJUg $300 for 32 GB RAM.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

The only reason I ended up with those sticks is because my other kit was failing or something was going wrong and I just cut down on the cost and bought one single 8GB dimm to run in single channel. Ended up with another one of those about 2 weeks later.

 

[E. C. Yian]

Checked on Portatech.com
http://www.portatech.com/products/pr...FUWPHwodP6sJUg
They seem to have the best prices on bundles.
Got great rating
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/PortaTech