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As an aside: "You can pair an inexpensive motherboard with even the slowest and cheapest triple channel compatible i7-950..." Inexpensive motherboards are a t

As an aside: "You can pair an inexpensive motherboard with even the slowest and cheapest triple channel compatible i7-950..." Inexpensive motherboards are a terrible idea, they can cause really weird problems that look like issues with other components. I've built a few computers and since sworn never to buy a cheap motherboard again.

fhars 16y ago
On the other hand, I know people who will never buy expensive server mainboards ever again as they are produced in so low numbers that bugs never get ironed out or programmed around in operating systems, unlike widely distributed consumer hardware. (Cheap consumer mainboards still sound like a bad idea, though).
- ComputerGuru 16y ago
  Strong upvote. I'm one of those, but not on the server market. 3 years ago, I purchased an Asus Republic of Gamers motherboard for 400 dollars. It was the most expensive component in my PC, and I hate it every minute of every day. All my work is in bootloaders, but this motherboard has a terribly, terribly buggy BIOS. Restarting the PC is not a fun thing to do with this 400 dollar PoS. Of course, the only reason BIOS upgrades failed to address this is because only a few thousand were ever sold... and mostly to gamers and not hard-core computer engineers.
- cloudwalking 16y ago
  Indeed, widespread use is important. When I'm looking for computer components, I scour NewEgg for both good ratings and a lot of responses.
towelrod 16y ago
Buying an i7-950 right now is also a terrible idea, since the Sandy Bridge i5s are faster and cheaper: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/100?vs=288 http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/100?vs=288
- dale-cooper 16y ago
  I think it's more common with a total of 4 slots with sandy bridge though, since it's dual channel. The largest kit i could find in stock at my favorite store is 4x4GB, which is 16GB. So i guess if your only priority is memory amount, an i7 would be a good choice..

fhars 16y ago

On the other hand, I know people who will never buy expensive server mainboards ever again as they are produced in so low numbers that bugs never get ironed out or programmed around in operating systems, unlike widely distributed consumer hardware. (Cheap consumer mainboards still sound like a bad idea, though).

ComputerGuru 16y ago
Strong upvote. I'm one of those, but not on the server market. 3 years ago, I purchased an Asus Republic of Gamers motherboard for 400 dollars. It was the most expensive component in my PC, and I hate it every minute of every day. All my work is in bootloaders, but this motherboard has a terribly, terribly buggy BIOS. Restarting the PC is not a fun thing to do with this 400 dollar PoS. Of course, the only reason BIOS upgrades failed to address this is because only a few thousand were ever sold... and mostly to gamers and not hard-core computer engineers.
cloudwalking 16y ago
Indeed, widespread use is important. When I'm looking for computer components, I scour NewEgg for both good ratings and a lot of responses.

towelrod 16y ago

Buying an i7-950 right now is also a terrible idea, since the Sandy Bridge i5s are faster and cheaper: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/100?vs=288 http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/100?vs=288

dale-cooper 16y ago
I think it's more common with a total of 4 slots with sandy bridge though, since it's dual channel. The largest kit i could find in stock at my favorite store is 4x4GB, which is 16GB. So i guess if your only priority is memory amount, an i7 would be a good choice..