Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
does not include integrated video). For some applications—notably video en-
coding, Photoshop, and other heavily threaded applications—the quad-core
-750 is faster than the dual-core 6xx series processors. For many productivity
applications, the multithreading and Turbo Boost mode of the -661 makes it
as fast as or faster than a comparably priced quad-core single-threaded pro-
cessor. If you prefer an AMD processor, choose whichever AMD Phenom II X4
model is selling for about $150 when you order the parts for your system.
Whichever processor you choose, order the retail-boxed model rather than
the OEM model. The retail-boxed models cost a few bucks more than the
OEM models, but they have a longer warranty and also bundle a CPU cooler.
Bundled CPU coolers have improved dramatically over the last few years. Both
AMD and Intel bundled coolers are efficient and very quiet. Unless you're an
extreme gamer or overclocker, or if you're trying to build the quietest possible
system, we see no reason to install an aftermarket CPU cooler.
Memory
Crucial CT2KIT25664BA1339 PC3-10600 4 GB Memory Kit (2 GB × 2)
( http://www.crucial.com )
We normally install 1 GB of memory per core for multicore processors, or 512
MB to 1 GB per thread for multithreaded processors. The Intel Core i5-661 pro-
cessor has two cores, each of which runs two threads, so we decided to install
4 GB of system memory. (Barbara will run 32-bit Ubuntu on this system, which
like all 32-bit operating systems recognizes only 3 to 3.5 GB of memory, so
there's no point to installing more than 4 GB.)
Brian Jepson Comments
Oddly, Mac OS X can address quite a
bit more of RAM even with the 32-bit
kernel. But even the 32-bit kernel
supports 64-bit binaries, so it's pos-
sible that userspace apps are the only
ones that will have access to all that
memory. I think there's a bit more to
this story, but I don't know enough
about it to say for sure (I have 8 GB in
my Mac running a 32-bit kernel).
The Intel DH55TC motherboard has four memory slots and supports dual-
channel memory operation, which requires memory modules to be installed
in pairs for best performance. Installing a pair of 2 GB modules, for a total of
4 GB, leaves two memory slots available for future expansion. If Barbara later
decides to install 64-bit Ubuntu (or another 64-bit OS), we can populate those
two free memory slots with a pair of 4 GB modules, boosting total system
memory to 12 GB. That should suffice for the expected lifetime of this system.
The Intel DH55TC supports DDR3-1066 (PC3-8500) and DDR3-1333 (PC3-
10600) memory. Although faster memory improves overall system perfor-
mance slightly, it's not worth paying a big premium for it. However, on the
day we ordered memory for this system, the PC3-10600 4 GB memory kit was
actually selling for a couple bucks less than the PC3-8500 4 GB kit. Hmmm.
There are dozens of memory brands available, although all of them actually
use memory chips produced by a small number of manufacturers, of which
Micron/Crucial is one. Some of those brands—such as Corsair, OCZ, and Patriot—
specialize in high-performance memory and have good reputations among
gamers and other extreme PC enthusiasts. But for more than 20 years, we've
used Crucial and Kingston memory almost exclusively, and have never had
cause to regret that decision.
 
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