>video cards often occupying two slots

Yes... when I built my CS5 computer (see http://forums.adobe.com/thread/652694?tstart=0 for more) I only needed space for 2 cards... nVidia which I knew would take 2 spaces, and old Pinnacle Dv500 to use in WinXP via dual-boot to finish digitizing my old collection of VHS tapes to write to DVD

What I bought works for me... but that may not mean much to anyone else

I can only say what worked for me... click the link I provided

If you are considering ASUS mobos, the information here may be of use:  http://forums.adobe.com/thread/719538?tstart=0

which I compiled when I was searching for information to make a decision.  You will want to check current prices to assist in the comparison - you can often get a processor-mobo combination deal from NewEgg.  There's a good discussion about UPS units in that thread too - and other invaluable discussions in this hardware forum.

I decided on the ASUS Rampage III Formula mobo and I am happy with it; however, the SATA III ports (6 Gb/s) on the mobo use Marvell 91xx drivers and do not deliver the performance that I expected, particularly with a SATA III SSD connected as an OS/program drive in my system.  I ended up using ACHI drivers on those ports and am running at SATA II speeds - not the best solution, but one I can live with until Marvell/ASUS release a BIOS update to correct the issue - if ever.

Airflow through my case (HAF-X) and across memory (24Gb DDR3-1600) and the single overclocked 470 graphics card is excellent, plenty of drive space and fan connectors on the mobo.  I guess my point is to consider the mobo you select with respect to the case you select as well.  Harm will always suggest to get the most monstrous case you can tolerate - and that was/still is good advice.

Harm's and John's other comments are right on target.  Good luck!

Hello, im tryng to build a machine too.I use mostly after effects and c4d , I would like to ask if ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Motherboard is a good motherboard

Cheers Marsio

You might find it helpful to check out the PPBM5 results page... (Premier Pro Benchmark CS5).  http://www.ppbm5.com/

They list all the components in the packages along with the performance results of the combos.

I have the SR2 motherboard (the fastest on the list), but with lower speed processors and graphics card, so my results were somewhat less stellar than that one.

My builder along with friends and colleagues said that one should get the motherboard they can expand upon... for example the SR2 presently has 24mb Ram onboard... expandable to 48... seemingly out of the question at this point, but in the future?  Who knows?

One problem I had to deal with was that the coolermaster case I had was too small and I had to order a Lian Li PC-V2120 case and a bunch of extra fans.

It does have USB3 as well as USB2 on it and seems to have room for everything... the processors are offset from each other and run fairly cool.

Overall I'm happy, but I still have some playback issues to work out.

Hello Jim , why you would prefer Asus Sabertooth instead of ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Motherboard

cheers marsio

Ok, but my reseller toldme that if im going to buy a mother board like  Sabertooh then im going to have problems to upgrade in the future. You think thats is true?

And Saberthoo is also affected by this chipset problem?

Now, if the p67 dont had the problems,for someone who want to work with animation,desing and 3d what is the advantge having a p67 instead of a x58?

mm ok, i just been to the reseller and he said the x58 intel i7 950 is  slower than the i7 2600k 67p and also if im going for the  "old"  generation it is gonna be a bit more expensive... i really dont know  what to do...at this point

well thanks for all your suggestion, at least i think im going for the old generation....but now the doubt comes between the Asus RampageIII Extreme

and the Sabertooh. Why you would prefer one instead of the other.

Ps. Im interested to build a machine that works good with after effects and cinema4d

cheers Marsio

Yes i know , but the problem is that i dont know how to value the feautures... Infact im asking for advices

I would spend 100 £ more if the rampage offers more benefits on working on after effects and c4d

So what?

well it demonstrates that I7 2600k is faster than ii7950 in term of reenders

For these tests, agreed. For PR CS5, NO. Look at the link I gave you.

to show some examples that the 2600K in PRACTICE is definitely not faster. The limitation of AnandTech is that they only test CPU performance, not an integrated system and no practical situations, only non-repeatable (synthetic) benchmarks, without taking into the equation the impact of other components.

Sure, this CPU is fast, but the platform to install it on is severely handicapped. It is like buying a very fast Porsche and then let your eighty year old granny drive it to the shopping mall.