Intel Desktop Computer Builds: July 2011

A motherboard chipset (chipset, for short) is a defined set of capabilities upon which a motherboard is built. Specifically, a chipset defines: 1.) the processor, memory, expansion cards, data storage devices, and peripheral devices that are compatible with a motherboard; and 2.) the additional devices (e.g., audio and ethernet) and technologies (e.g., RAID and power management) that are integrated into a motherboard. In other words, a chipset defines a motherboard's capabilities, which, in turn, defines a computer's capabilities. Therefore, when building a computer, the chipset is the most important computer component to choose wisely.

There are two types of desktop chipsets: 1.) AMD desktop chipsets, which support AMD desktop processors; and 2.) Intel desktop chipsets, which support Intel desktop processors. The current Intel desktop chipset manufacturer is Intel, which has a virtual monopoly on the Intel desktop chipset market. Past Intel desktop chipset manufacturers included ATI, NVIDIA, SiS, and VIA.

A motherboard is an implementation of a chipset. Motherboard manufacturers currently incorporating Intel desktop chipsets into their motherboards include ASRock, ASUS, BIOSTAR, ECS, EVGA, Foxconn, GIGABYTE, Intel, and MSI.

Based on chipset/processor, desktop computers are divided into two types (a.k.a., platforms): 1.) AMD desktop computers, which have an AMD desktop chipset/processor; and 2.) Intel desktop computers, which have an Intel desktop chipset/processor. Therefore, when building a desktop computer you must decide to build either an AMD desktop computer or an Intel desktop computer. This page describes Intel desktop computer builds based on user need.

1.1.  Component Overlay

Component considerations that serve as an overlay for each build and this page as a whole.

• Motherboard:
  • Latest Intel desktop chipset required: Intel 6 Series Chipset:
    • Intel B65 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155).
    • Intel Q65 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155).
    • Intel Q67 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155).
    • Intel H61 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155).
    • Intel H67 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155).
    • Intel P67 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155).
    • Intel Z68 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155).
    !

    On January 31, 2011 Intel announced that an issue had been identified with the Intel Series 6 Chipset, that shipment of the affected chipset had been stopped, and that newly manufactured, corrected versions of the chipset will start shipping in late February. For additional information, see Chipset Circuit Design Issue Identified: Update February 7, 2011 (intel.com).
    
    The newly manufactured, corrected versions of the Intel Series 6 Chipset also include B3 stepping. To distinguish motherboards with the corrected chipset from those with the affected chipset, motherboard manufacturers are adding "B3" and/or "REV 3.0" to the naming and packaging of motherboards with the corrected chipset. For additional information, see ASRock Brand New P67/H67 B3 Stepping Chipset Motherboard Is Ready To Go (asrock.com), Quickly And Easily Identify ASUS New B3 Revision Motherboards (event.asus.com), GIGABYTE Ships All New B3 6 Series Motherboards (gigabyte.com), and Chipset Stepping (B2/B3) Identification Of MSI's 6 Series Mainboards (event.msi.com).
    
    The Intel B65, Q67, H61, H67, and P67 Express Chipsets were affected. Therefore, B65, Q67, H61, H67, and P67 chipset motherboards should be labelled "B3" and/or "REV 3.0." The Intel Q65 Express Chipset (released April 2011) and Intel Z68 Express Chipset (released May 2011) were not affected. Therefore, Q65 and Z68 chipset motherboards do not need to be labelled "B3" and/or "REV 3.0." However, for the sake of consistency, some motherboard manufacturers are labelling Q65 and Z68 chipset motherboards "B3" and/or "REV 3.0."
  • microATX form factor required for Intel Desktop Computer 1 eMachine and 2 Mainstream. microATX or ATX form factor required for Intel Desktop Computer 3 Performance/Gaming One Add-In GPU. ATX form factor required for Intel Desktop 4 Gaming Two Add-In GPUs and 5 Gaming Three/Four Add-In GPUs.
  • SATA 6.0Gb/s not required for Intel Desktop Computer 1 eMachine. SATA 6.0Gb/s required for Intel Desktop Computer 2 Mainstream, 3 Performance/Gaming One Add-In GPU, 4 Gaming Two Add-In GPUs, and 5 Gaming Three/Four Add-In GPUs.
  • USB 3.0 not required for Intel Desktop Computer 1 eMachine. USB 3.0 required for Intel Desktop Computer 2 Mainstream, 3 Performance/Gaming One Add-In GPU, 4 Gaming Two Add-In GPUs, and 5 Gaming Three/Four Add-In GPUs.
  • Front USB and audio required. Front USB provided by connection between motherboard (internal) USB header and case I/O panel. Front audio provided by connection between motherboard (internal) audio header and case I/O panel. Front USB does not need to be USB 3.0.
  • Manufacturers considered: ASRock, ASUS, GIGABYTE, Intel, and MSI.
• Processor:
  • Latest Intel desktop processor required: Intel desktop processors code named Sandy Bridge:
    • Intel Pentium Processor (socket LGA1155).
    • 2nd Generation Intel Core i3 Processor (socket LGA1155).
    • 2nd Generation Intel Core i5 Processor (socket LGA1155).
    • 2nd Generation Intel Core i7 Processor (socket LGA1155).
  • No overclocking. Therefore, no fancy processor cooling system required. Get boxed processor and use factory heat sink/fan.
• Memory:
  • No overclocking. Therefore, no fancy memory cooling system required. Get value memory that passed motherboard testing.
  • Manufacturers considered: Kingston.
• Graphics:
  • Intel HD Graphics, Intel HD Graphics 2000, and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (collectively known as Intel HD Graphics) are the latest Intel integrated GPU solutions. Intel HD Graphics is built into the latest Intel processors, not the motherboard chipset. Intel desktop processors code named Clarkdale (Intel HD Graphics) and Sandy Bridge (Intel HD Graphics 2000/3000) include Intel HD Graphics. Intel desktop processors code named Lynnfield, Bloomfield, and Gulftown do not include Intel HD Graphics. Motherboard support for Intel HD Graphics is simply providing video out connectors and an interface to the processor's integrated GPU. The Intel Q57, H55, H57, B65, Q65, Q67, H61, H67, and Z68 Express Chipsets support Intel HD Graphics. The Intel P55, X58, and P67 Express Chipsets do not support Intel HD Graphics.
  • Intel HD Graphics required for Intel Desktop Computer 1 eMachine and 2 Mainstream. PCIe Gen2 add-in GPU required for Intel Desktop Computer 3 Performance/Gaming One Add-In GPU, 4 Gaming Two Add-In GPUs, and 5 Gaming Three/Four Add-In GPUs.
  • Add-in GPU chipset manufacturers considered: AMD.
  • AMD add-in GPU manufacturers considered: Sapphire.
• Hard Drive:
  • SATA 6.0Gb/s not required for Intel Desktop Computer 1 eMachine. SATA 6.0Gb/s required for Intel Desktop Computer 2 Mainstream, 3 Performance/Gaming One Add-In GPU, 4 Gaming Two Add-In GPUs, and 5 Gaming Three/Four Add-In GPUs.
  • Manufacturers considered: Western Digital.
• CD/DVD Burner:
  • Not interested in Blu-ray support.
  • Issues with Pioneer DRV-112D and Plextor PX-740A have me interested in trying a CD/DVD burner manufacturer other than Pioneer or Plextor.
• USB:
  • USB 3.0 not required for Intel Desktop Computer 1 eMachine. USB 3.0 required for Intel Desktop Computer 2 Mainstream, 3 Performance/Gaming One Add-In GPU, 4 Gaming Two Add-In GPUs, and 5 Gaming Three/Four Add-In GPUs.
  • Front USB required. Front USB provided by connection between motherboard (internal) USB header and case I/O panel. Front USB does not need to be USB 3.0.
• Firewire (a.k.a., IEEE 1394) and eSATA:
  • Not required.
• Audio:
  • Integrated audio is sufficient.
  • Front audio required. Front audio provided by connection between motherboard (internal) audio header and case I/O panel.
• Case:
  • No neon colors, lights, see through side panels, and crazy designs for Intel Desktop Computer 1 eMachine and 2 Mainstream. Minimal neon colors, lights, see through side panels, and crazy designs for Intel Desktop Computer 3 Performance/Gaming One Add-In GPU, 4 Gaming Two Add-In GPUs, and 5 Gaming Three/Four Add-In GPUs.
  • One case mounted fan required. No overclocking. Therefore, no fancy case cooling system required and one case mounted fan is sufficient.
  • Mini tower required for Intel Desktop Computer 1 eMachine and 2 Mainstream. Mid tower or larger required for Intel Desktop Computer 3 Performance/Gaming One Add-In GPU, 4 Gaming Two Add-In GPUs, and 5 Gaming Three/Four Add-In GPUs.
  • Front USB and audio required. Front USB provided by connection between motherboard (internal) USB header and case I/O panel. Front audio provided by connection between motherboard (internal) audio header and case I/O panel.
  • Manufacturers considered: Antec, Cooler Master, Corsair, Lian Li, SilverStone, Thermaltake, XIGMATEK, and Zalman.
• Power Supply:
  • ATX12V v2.2 compliant or above required.
  • Must provide all required connectors. No mismatched connectors. No adapters.
  • CrossFireX/SLI certified required for Intel Desktop Computer 4 Gaming Two Add-In GPUs and 5 Gaming Three/Four Add-In GPUs.
  • Manufacturers considered: Antec, Cooler Master, and Thermaltake.
• Legacy Devices:
  • VGA, IDE, FDD, PCI, serial (COM) port/internal header, parallel port/internal header, PS2 keyboard, and PS2 mouse support not required.

1.2.  Build Changes From Intel Desktop Builds: May 2011 (stevestechresource.com)

• Intel Desktop Computer 1 eMachine (Model: IDC1-EMA):
  • Motherboard: Socket LGA1156 GIGABYTE GA-H55M-S2V (rev. 1.4) (gigabyte.com) $85 to socket LGA1155 ASUS P8H61-M LE/CSM (usa.asus.com) $85.
  • Processor: Socket LGA1156 Intel Pentium Processor G6950 (ark.intel.com) $100 to socket LGA1155 Intel Pentium Processor G840 (ark.intel.com) $90.
  • Memory: 2GB DDR3-1066 Kingston KVR1066D3N7K2/2G (shop.kingston.com) $30 to 2GB DDR3-1333 Kingston KVR1333D3N9K2/2G (shop.kingston.com) $25.
  • Build Retail Price: $365 to $350.
• Intel Desktop Computer 2 Mainstream (Model: IDC2-MAI):
  • Motherboard: 2 DIMMs MSI H67MA-E35 (B3) (msi.com) $110 to 4 DIMMs Intel DH67BLB3 (intel.com) $110.
  • Memory: Kingston KVR1333D3N9K2/4G (shop.kingston.com) $55 to $40.
  • Hard Disk: Western Digital WD10EALX (wdc.com) $80 to $70.
  • Build Retail Price: $485 to $460.
• Intel Desktop Computer 3 Performance/Gaming One Add-In GPU (Model: IDC3-GA1):
  • Motherboard: microATX ASRock Z68 Pro3-M (asrock.com) $135 to ATX ASRock Z68 Pro3 (asrock.com) $140.
  • Memory: Kingston KVR1333D3N9K2/8G (shop.kingston.com) $105 to $70.
  • Build Retail Price: $910 to $880.
• Intel Desktop Computer 4 Gaming Two Add-In GPUs (Model: IDC4-GA2):
  • Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 (rev. 1.0) (gigabyte.com) $180 to GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 (rev. 1.0) (gigabyte.com) $170.
  • Memory: Kingston KVR1333D3N9K2/8G (shop.kingston.com) $105 to $70.
  • Build Retail Price: $1250 to $1205.
• Intel Desktop Computer 5 Gaming Three/Four Add-In GPUs (Model: IDC5-GA3):
  • Memory: Kingston KVR1333D3N9K2/8G (shop.kingston.com) $105 to $70.
  • Graphics: Apparently being phased out Sapphire HD 6950 2GB GDDR5 PCIE (Model: 100312SR) (sapphiretech.com) 3 x $290 to Sapphire HD 6950 2GB GDDR5 (Model: 100312-2SR) (sapphiretech.com) 3 x $290.
  • Case: Corsair Graphite Series 600T (Model: CC600T) (corsair.com) $170 to $150.
  • Build Retail Price: $2120 to $2065.

Intended For:

• Casual/budget user wanting a modern computer with the minimum required for a satisfactory Internet, Microsoft Office, and multimedia viewing experience.

Primary Parameters:

• Lowest or near lowest cost combination of Intel 6 Series Chipset, Intel socket LGA1155 processor, and graphics:
  • Motherboard: Intel B65 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155), Intel Q65 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155), or Intel H61 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155).
  • Processor: Intel Pentium Processor (socket LGA1155).
  • Graphics: Intel HD Graphics.
• Memory: 2GB.

Intended For:

• Typical home/office user.
• User who occasionally executes multiple system resource intensive applications simultaneously.

Primary Parameters:

• Inexpensive combination of Intel 6 Series Chipset, 2nd Generation Intel Core Processor, and graphics:
  • Motherboard: Intel Q67 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155) or Intel H67 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155).
  • Processor: 2nd Generation Intel Core i3 Processor (socket LGA1155).
  • Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 2000/3000.
• Memory: 4GB.
• Storage: SATA 6.0Gb/s and USB 3.0.

Intended For:

• Power user.
• User who frequently executes multiple system resource intensive applications simultaneously.
• Entry level gaming (i.e., one add-in GPU).

Primary Parameters:

• Upper mid level combination of Intel 6 Series Chipset, 2nd Generation Intel Core Processor, and graphics:
  • Motherboard: Intel Q67 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155), Intel H67 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155), Intel P67 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155), or Intel Z68 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155).
  • Processor: 2nd Generation Intel Core i5 Processor (socket LGA1155).
  • Graphics: For entry level gamer, 1 x best PCIe Gen2 add-in GPU < $200. If not a gamer, 1 x best PCIe Gen2 add-in GPU < $150.
• Memory: 8GB.
• Storage: SATA 6.0Gb/s and USB 3.0.

Intended For:

• Mid level gaming (i.e., two add-in GPUs).
  i

  The Intel Desktop Computer 4 Gaming Two Add-In GPUs is designed to support dual add-in GPUs in 2-way CrossFireX/SLI, and, therefore, many of its components are exorbitant if dual add-in GPUs are not installed. In other words, if you are interested in building a high performance Intel desktop computer with a single add-in GPU, the Intel Desktop Computer 3 Performance/Gaming One Add-In GPU (above) is more appropriate and likely more than sufficient.

Primary Parameters:

• Intel 6 Series Chipset supporting dual PCIe Gen2 add-in GPUs in 2-way CrossFireX and/or 2-way SLI at x8/x8 mode, mid level 2nd Generation Intel Core Processor, and 2 x upper mid level PCIe Gen2 add-in GPUs:
  • Motherboard: Intel P67 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155) or Intel Z68 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155).
    i

    Not all P67 and Z68 chipset motherboards support 2-way CrossFireX/SLI at x8/x8 mode.
  • Processor: 2nd Generation Intel Core i5 Processor (socket LGA1155).
  • Graphics: 2 x best PCIe Gen2 add-in GPUs < $200 each.
• Memory: 8GB.
• Storage: SATA 6.0Gb/s and USB 3.0.

Intended For:

• Extreme gaming (i.e., at least three add-in GPUs).
  i

  The Intel Desktop Computer 5 Gaming Three/Four Add-In GPUs is designed to support at least triple add-in GPUs in 3-way CrossFireX/SLI, and, therefore, many of its components are exorbitant if at least triple add-in GPUs are not installed. In other words, if you are interested in building a high performance Intel desktop computer with a single add-in GPU, the Intel Desktop Computer 3 Performance/Gaming One Add-In One GPU (above) is more appropriate and likely more than sufficient.

Primary Parameters:

• Intel 6 Series Chipset supporting at least triple PCIe Gen2 add-in GPUs in 3-way CrossFireX and/or 3-way SLI at x16/x8/x8 mode, high end 2nd Generation Intel Core Processor, and at least 3 x high end PCIe Gen2 add-in GPUs:
  • Motherboard: Intel P67 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155) plus NVIDIA NF200 or Lucid LT22102 chip or Intel Z68 Express Chipset (socket LGA1155) plus NVIDIA NF200 or Lucid LT22102 chip.
  • Processor: 2nd Generation Intel Core i7 Processor (socket LGA1155).
  • Graphics: 3 x best PCIe Gen2 add-in GPUs ~$300 each.
• Memory: 8GB.
• Storage: SATA 6.0Gb/s and USB 3.0.

• Intel Technologies Demonstrated (intel.com)
• Intel Graphics Technology (intel.com)
• Intel HD Graphics (intel.com)
• Quick Reference Guide To Intel HD Graphics (software.intel.com)
• Intel Core i3 Desktop Processors That Contain Intel HD Graphics (intel.com)
• Intel Core i5 Desktop Processors That Contain Intel HD Graphics (intel.com)
• Intel Core i7 Desktop Processors That Contain Intel HD Graphics (intel.com)
• Intel Chipsets (intel.com)
• Intel Desktop Chipsets (intel.com)
• Intel 6 Series Chipset (intel.com) (.pdf)
• Intel B65 Express Chipset (intel.com)
• Intel Q65 Express Chipset (intel.com)
• Intel Q67 Express Chipset (intel.com)
• Intel H61 Express Chipset (intel.com)
• Intel H67 Express Chipset (intel.com)
• Intel P67 Express Chipset (intel.com)
• Intel Z68 Express Chipset (intel.com)
• Intel Processors (intel.com)
• Intel Desktop Processors (intel.com)
• Intel Pentium Desktop Processor Family (ark.intel.com)
• 2nd Generation Intel Core i3 Processors Family (ark.intel.com)
• 2nd Generation Intel Core i5 Processors Family (ark.intel.com)
• 2nd Generation Intel Core i7 Processors Family (ark.intel.com)
• ASRock Motherboard Series (asrock.com)
• ASUS Motherboards (asus.com)
• Gigabyte Motherboards (gigabyte.com)
• Intel Motherboards (intel.com)
• MSI Motherboards (msi.com)
• Kingston (kingston.com)
• AMD Radeon Graphics For Desktop PCs (amd.com)
• Sapphire (sapphiretech.com)
• Sapphire: Radeon Specifications Matrix (sapphiretech.com) (.xls)
• Western Digital: Desktop Hard Drives: WD Caviar Blue (wdc.com)
• Western Digital: Desktop Hard Drives: WD Caviar Black (wdc.com)
• Antec (antec.com)
• Cooler Master (coolermaster.com)
• Corsair (corsair.com)
• Lian Li (lian-li.com)
• Thermaltake (thermaltakeusa.com)
• Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)
• Newegg (newegg.com)