Photoshop Workstation- Socket 1366/X58 Proposed Parts List

[DaveMcKeen]

Hello! I'm rebuilding a PC and am choosing a motherboard, memory and hard drives for editing image files in Photoshop. The image files are about 10MB on disk and 60 MB when open in Photoshop CS5 64-bit. I am not using Photoshop extended (3D work). I don't plan to overclock except for some auto overclocking available in the BIOS or motherboard support utilities. I won't be playing games but will be looking for smooth scrolls, pans and zooms in Photoshop. I've listed components I plan to re-use at the bottom.

ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Newegg $309
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Motherboards - P6X58D Premium

Intel Core i7-930 Bloomfield 2.8GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop BX80601930 Newegg $289
Intel® Core
Note: Memory types DDR3-800/1066

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler Newegg $35.98

G.SKILL 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T2-12GBNQ Newegg $279.00

or

GeIL Value PLUS 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model GVP312GB1066C7HC Newegg $269.99

Note: The P6X58D Premium manual under Memory Configurations (second bullet) says "Due to Intel spec definition, X.M.P. DIMMS and DDR3-1600 are supported for one DIMM per channel only." That's why I chose the 1066 DRAM.

Drive0 (O/S and installed Apps/Utilities) OCZ Agility 2 SATA II 3.5" SSD 120GB - OCZSSD3-2AGT120G CostCentral $296.71

Drive1 (Photo Image Data) HITACHI 0F10452 2.0TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 7200 RPM 32MB Buffer Hard Drive Bulk ZipZoomfly $269.99 (I have one of these in my current PC. Love it!)

Drive2 (pagefile, Web site files, Downloaded programs & updates) OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD2-2AGTE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Newegg $158

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Full 64-bit Newegg N82E16832116716 $180.93



ALREADY HAVE THESE:

GPU Zotac 288-2N115-000ZT GeForce 9800GT 512MB DDR3 256B

PSU Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750W

DVD Drive Lite-On ATAPI iHAS124 A

Monitor NEC MultiSync LCD2190 UXi

External Drive Western Digital My Book 3.0 2TB Black External Hard Drive WDBAAK0020HCH-NESN USB 3.0

1394b Adapter NitroAV NAVPCIEFW800 PCIx FireWire 800/1394b

CF Reader FireWire SanDisk SDDRX4-CF Extreme 1394b 800Mbs

CF Card 2GB SanDisk SDCFX42048901 Extreme IV CF Memory Card

Logitech Marble Mouse USB Trackball.

[David M]

The socket 1366/X58 chipset has quite a few problems according to the professional builders in this forum. It's for enthusiasts and not for mainstream use. It's not for people who just want their computer to work. A much more reliable system would be using a 1156/P55 motherboard. Unless you are an enthusiast with the knowledge of an enthusiast and have the patience to troubleshoot problems and if that's how you don't mind spending your precious time, then I would not go there.

For Photoshop you want a CPU with multi-threading like an i-7 870.

What is your budget?

[DaveMcKeen]

Hello David - thanks very much for that insight. That's exactly why I'm here. I definitely want to use computers more than fuss with them. Fussing with them is driving me nuts. Here's my current system:

ASUS P7P55 Deluxe
Intel Core i7 860
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro rev 2 92mm CPU Cooler
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad 750W
Corsair CMX8GX3M4A1600C9 (4 DIMM x 2GB)
ZOTAC ZT-98GES3M-FSL GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
Drive0 (OS) OCZ SSD Agility 2 OCZSSD2-2AGTE90G 2.5" 90GB SATA II
Drive1 (Data) HITACHI UltraStar A7K2000 0F10452 2TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
Drive2 (Apps, pagefile, misc.) OCZ SSD Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTX50G 50GB
Drive3 (Web data, Pgm setup files) OCZ SSD Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTX50G 50GB

It is generally fine for what I'm doing but has a serious problem with extremely sluggish file operatioins. Microsoft has the issue and hasn't been able to put their finger on it yet. The point of that is that's why I am looking at rebuilding my last XP machine which won't run Photoshop correctly. Then I can do a clean reinstall of Windows 7 on the current PC. I always want to have a fully capable backup PC.

Do you think it will be most practical for me to rebuild my XP PC into one like I"m using now? I just want a robust workstation. No video editing, no 3D, no games, no overclocking.

Thanks again - Dave Mc

[Nuclear Krusader]

Excellent power supply choice.

Windows 7 64-bit has the same problem with sluggish file operations. A MS Excel 2007 file taking over 30 seconds to open is ridiculous.

[DaveMcKeen]

Oops- sorry; budget under $2K

- d

[glc]

You aren't going to get any significantly better performance than you are already getting with your i7-860.

[DaveMcKeen]

Thanks. That will simplify things for me. I'm looking at the ASUS P7P55D-E Pro. - Dave Mc

[glc]

If you are upgrading another machine, I'd get an i7-870 to go with that board, I believe it's the same price as the 860 now.

[DaveMcKeen]

Good suggestion. How about memory? Something like

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model 996770 Newegg $174

- Dave

[jdeb]

That memory is not on the QVL but it would probably work.

These are on the QVL. (KVR1333D3N9) quite a bit more money though

Newegg.com - Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9K2/8G

[DaveMcKeen]

Hi jdeb, thanks for that. But the QVL is dated August a year ago. Is it still a good reference? I've got Mushkin in my P7P55D Deluxe and it seems to be doing OK.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by DaveMcKeen Hi jdeb, thanks for that. But the QVL is dated August a year ago. Is it still a good reference? I've got Mushkin in my P7P55D Deluxe and it seems to be doing OK.

It was the only one I could see on the website. Like I said, it would probably work because it is 1.5v. I tend to stay with the QVL unless I have dimms that are not on it and they work and test well with memtest86+. I only checked it because I know that Muskin can be finicky at times, although the memory is solid.

[DaveMcKeen]

You mean the Mushkin needs to have its voltage tweaked? How much? Or has it not been consistent? I read that Corsair was finiky and Gskill was touchy too. Yeah, the Kingston is a lot more expensive, but I'm after reliability, so maybe should go that way.

- d

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by DaveMcKeen You mean the Mushkin needs to have its voltage tweaked? How much? Or has it not been consistent? I read that Corsair was finiky and Gskill was touchy too. Yeah, the Kingston is a lot more expensive, but I'm after reliability, so maybe should go that way. - d

no, finicky in regards to matching with the motherboards qvl. If the memory has been tested and is stable, it goes on the list. With that being said, the muskin memory in your link is 1.5v and your board will have no problem supplying that voltage, so in theory, it should work fine. On the other hand, I have found muskin on a few occasions (not on QVL) problematic. Refer to the great sticky that Khalil posted on memory reliability, kingston being one of the best. His data is from real world experience. RAM, Memory brand rating

[DaveMcKeen]

Hi jdeb, thanks for the great resource. That'll help me out a lot.

- Dave

[DaveMcKeen]

It looks more and more like my new build will use the same motherboard, the ASUS P755D Deluxe. It doesn't have SATA III or USB3, but it looks like I won't be needing SATA III for some time and I have a USB 3 PCIe card for my external WD drive that takes that interface.

The more I look into memory the more it looks like I muffed it in my current build. My ASUS manual says "Due to Intel spec definition, X.M.P. DIMMs and DDR3-1600 are supported for one DIMM per channel only." I have Corsair CMX8GX3M4A1600C9 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 in mine.

What grief am I likely causing my self?

Thanks, - Dave

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by DaveMcKeen It looks more and more like my new build will use the same motherboard, the ASUS P755D Deluxe. It doesn't have SATA III or USB3, but it looks like I won't be needing SATA III for some time and I have a USB 3 PCIe card for my external WD drive that takes that interface. The more I look into memory the more it looks like I muffed it in my current build. My ASUS manual says "Due to Intel spec definition, X.M.P. DIMMs and DDR3-1600 are supported for one DIMM per channel only." I have Corsair CMX8GX3M4A1600C9 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 in mine. What grief am I likely causing my self? Thanks, - Dave

No grief, it works right? Stable right? . I think that manual is stating it only supports 2 sticks (dual channel mode) at 1600 MHz. Additionally, that is a recommended dimm for that CPU so luckily (not on QVL) you are good. Many times people will use the memory configuration tools from memory vendors and the dimm will not show up on the QVL. Maybe someone else could shed some light on the reason for that, I presume they are in the business of selling memory. I pretty much go by the QVL to avoid stability problems.

[glc]

The QVL only has memory that Asus themselves have tested. I would assume that the memory manufacturers test memory before they put it in their configurators - if you buy memory direct from Crucial from their configurator, it's guaranteed to be compatible.

[DaveMcKeen]

Darn! I completely forgot about the configurators. Well, I nailed it all down and ordered my parts. Here's what I'll wind up with:

ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
Intel Core i7-870 Lynnfield 2.93GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core BX80605I7870
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4 x 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) CMD8GX3M4A1333C7
Drive0 OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD3-2AGT90G 3.5" 90GB SATA II MLC SSD
Drive1 Hitachi 0F10452 2.0TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 7200 RPM 32MB
Drive2 OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD3-2AGT90G 3.5" 90GB SATA II MLC SSD
CPU Heat Sink ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro rev 2 92mm CPU Cooler
O/S Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Full version, single pack

Already have...
Case Cooler Master RC-531-SSN-1 Centurion 531 Mid-tower
PSU Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750W
GPU ZOTAC ZT-98GES3M-FSL GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3
External Drive WD My Book 3.0 2 TB USB 3.0
Monitor NEC LCD2190 UXi LCD 'twist' tech.
1394b board Akumen/ NitroAV NAVPCIEFW800 PCIe 4 port Firewire 800
CF Reader FireWire SanDisk SDDRX4-CF Extreme FireWire 800
CF Card 2GB SanDisk SDCFX42048901 Extreme IV CF Memory Card
Mouse Logitech Marbel Mouse USB Optical mouse PS2/USB
Keyboard Kensington K64370A 104-Key PS2 keyboard

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by DaveMcKeen Darn! I completely forgot about the configurators. Well, I nailed it all down and ordered my parts. Here's what I'll wind up with: ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Core i7-870 Lynnfield 2.93GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core BX80605I7870 CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4 x 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) CMD8GX3M4A1333C7 Drive0 OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD3-2AGT90G 3.5" 90GB SATA II MLC SSD Drive1 Hitachi 0F10452 2.0TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 7200 RPM 32MB Drive2 OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD3-2AGT90G 3.5" 90GB SATA II MLC SSD CPU Heat Sink ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro rev 2 92mm CPU Cooler O/S Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Full version, single pack Already have... Case Cooler Master RC-531-SSN-1 Centurion 531 Mid-tower PSU Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750W GPU ZOTAC ZT-98GES3M-FSL GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 External Drive WD My Book 3.0 2 TB USB 3.0 Monitor NEC LCD2190 UXi LCD 'twist' tech. 1394b board Akumen/ NitroAV NAVPCIEFW800 PCIe 4 port Firewire 800 CF Reader FireWire SanDisk SDDRX4-CF Extreme FireWire 800 CF Card 2GB SanDisk SDCFX42048901 Extreme IV CF Memory Card Mouse Logitech Marbel Mouse USB Optical mouse PS2/USB Keyboard Kensington K64370A 104-Key PS2 keyboard

Curious, why 2 SSD's? Raid?

[DaveMcKeen]

I forgot to annotate those drives as to their use. The first SSD is for the OS, the Hitachi for data, mostly image files, and the second SSD is for installed applications, downloaded programs and updates, my Web site files and pagefile. No RAID.