Single PC Setup for Audiophile Optimizer

[Hifidelit]

LOL it's not my article and I'm not Gabriel - I meant I've posted it in various threads on here over the last couple of years.

 

If you want to see the list of socket 1150 CPUs that meet the 3.4 recommendation have a look here:

MSI UK - Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

 

In terms of boards you will need to see what is compatible with the H5 (it's been in tooling stage over a year and although Larry told me this month it would be "this month" there is no sign of a date on the site) or whichever case you go with - server boards aren't always listed so you have to do some additional work.

 

Cheers

Darren (not Gabriel)

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

LOL it's not my article and I'm not Gabriel - I meant I've posted it in various threads on here over the last couple of years.

 

If you want to see the list of socket 1150 CPUs that meet the 3.4 recommendation have a look here:

MSI UK - Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

 

In terms of boards you will need to see what is compatible with the H5 (it's been in tooling stage over a year and although Larry told me this month it would be "this month" there is no sign of a date on the site) or whichever case you go with - server boards aren't always listed so you have to do some additional work.

 

Cheers

Darren (not Gabriel)

 

My apologies Darren !

 

Yeh Larry told me that too !! We all wait with great anticipation ! Larry has said the new H5 will take an ATX board (as well as mini ITX and micro ATX).

 

thanks for the link

 

Cheers

David ( but you can call me Gabriel if you like) :-)

[Pepsican]

My apologies Darren !

 

Yeh Larry told me that too !! We all wait with great anticipation ! Larry has said the new H5 will take an ATX board (as well as mini ITX and micro ATX).

 

thanks for the link

 

Cheers

David ( but you can call me Gabriel if you like) :-)

 

It seems Sunday night / Monday morning is a highly anticipated time for many :-)

[AudioPhil]

The Intel S1200KPR can be used with a Xeon with integrated graphics such as the Xeon 1265L V2. The reason this board is still popular is it sounds great (I still have it) and there are not too many choices in S1150 or X99 in miniITX (Asus P9D-I in S1150 I currently have, ASRock X99E is the only X99 mITX board I know of). This refers to server motherboards which it would make sense to use if you are using ws2012.

 

If you are waiting for the H5 you have a much larger choice of boards and I wouldn't go with a mITX in that case unless you had some reason to fill the massive space that would be left.

 

An older article but still a good one I've posted a few times describes the quality of a motherboard and the voltage regulation:

Everything You Need to Know About The Motherboard Voltage Regulator Circuit | Hardware Secrets

 

A lot depends how you use your server and what player you use etc. Jussi recommended a 3.4GHz CPU for HQPlayer in the HQP thread.

 

very nice write up gabriel!!

 

Indeed you are more than right Darren, that board simply sounds very good, has XEON as well as ECC capabilities, so i just never felt the urgent need to replace it. The only thing i can imagine making it even better would be an upgraded clock.

 

Best,

phil

[Hifidelit]

Cheers Paul - you can call me Gabs. I don't think it is very easy to replace the clock on the s1200kpr and at £150 for a board I can no longer get very easily I'm not going to try!

Pang says his clock modification doesn't work or not recommended on S1155 boards also.

[BobSherman]

Cheers Paul - you can call me Gabs. I don't think it is very easy to replace the clock on the s1200kpr and at £150 for a board I can no longer get very easily I'm not going to try!

Pang says his clock doesn't work or not recommended on S1155 boards anyway.

 

 

 

[video=youtube;uq-gYOrU8bA]

[Hifidelit]

Love your video replies Brad.

[AudioPhil]

Cheers Paul - you can call me Gabs. I don't think it is very easy to replace the clock on the s1200kpr and at £150 for a board I can no longer get very easily I'm not going to try!

Pang says his clock modification doesn't work or not recommended on S1155 boards also.

 

...that's exactly the reason why Paul is only imagineating about it :-D

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

very nice write up gabriel!!

 

Indeed you are more than right Darren, that board simply sounds very good, has XEON as well as ECC capabilities, so i just never felt the urgent need to replace it. The only thing i can imagine making it even better would be an upgraded clock.

 

Best,

phil

 

Hi Phil, given it is not easy to buy anymore (especially in Australia) would there be anything else on your shortlist ?

Cheers

David

[Listener]

David.

 

In Oz you may like to try UMART. I have this:-

Intel DBS1200V3RPL Micro-ATX Server M/B, LGA1150, Intel C226, 4x DDR3 ECC -umart.com.au

From their Sunshine Coast Store in Queensland. They have 4 outlets in NSW and will most likely source whatever you want. I went for the DBS1200V3RPL as it was in stock, I think it sounds great.

 

Steven.

 

p.s Go here to find your store:-

http://www.umart.com.au/

[completeluxury]

for computer components you can also try staticICE - Compare Prices - Australia - Shopping and price comparison for computer hardware, digital SLR cameras and consumer electronics its like a shopping.com for computer parts will tell you who has the cheapest in australia.

[IQ_AV]

David:

Recently I lost my PC and bought a Lenovo TS140(w Xeon E3-1225 v3 3.2GHz 4GB 70A4001LUX). I already have one of those to run Win 2012 r2 Hyper V. Check out the ratings and review in Amazon or on slickdeals.net. It comes without any HD or OS. This is a great machine and guess what, absolutely silent. I kind of seeing Phil's point on Xeon. Currently I am running this without activating AO and the music has a lot of body. After I get Larry's LPSU, I would power the PPang USB and the SSDs in this machine.

 

Ahmed

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

David.

 

In Oz you may like to try UMART. I have this:-

Intel DBS1200V3RPL Micro-ATX Server M/B, LGA1150, Intel C226, 4x DDR3 ECC -umart.com.au

 

Thanks Steven, and the price is quite reasonable considering the unfavourable exchange rate !

 

also try staticICE - Compare Prices - Australia - Shopping and price comparison for computer hardware, digital SLR cameras and consumer electronics its like a shopping.com for computer parts will tell you who has the cheapest in australia.

 

Thanks

 

David:

Recently I lost my PC and bought a Lenovo TS140(w Xeon E3-1225 v3 3.2GHz 4GB 70A4001LUX).

 

Ahmed

Thanks Ahmed, will have a look

 

Cheers

David

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

ok, here is my suggestion:

 

Haswell update! All these Q boards were created before the Haswell update came out. As such, their first BIOS versions did not support these new Haswells (goes for anything that came out as 87/85 chipset). So, check with the vendor which BIOS version you'll get (should be on the box) or else order a cheap pentium or celeron to update the BIOS with, toss it out and run your iCore.

 

Just returning to this point. If I understand it, if you buy a mobo who's BIOS version precedes the Haswell "refresh" date for the purchased CPU, that updated CPU won't work. Now, if the CPU doesnt work you can't boot into the BIOS to update it. You therefore need to boot into the BIOS using another CPU, update the BIOS, then replace the CPU. Is that right?

 

This would include Intel® Server Board S1200RP Family Processors requiring Intel BIOS 02.01.0002 or later Boards with PBA revision lower than -406 (Server Products — Processor Compatibility).

 

My preferred mobo at this stage remains the SUPERMICRO MBD-X10SAE-O ATX (note- no integrated graphics). Given its similarity with the CAPS 4 pipeline supermicro board I am hoping it will work without BIOS upgrade with an Intel Xeon E3-1246 v3 Haswell 3.5GHz, a CPU similar to the CAPS4 CPU but with Intel®HD Graphics P4600.

 

I am hoping the supermicro ATX form factor wont be a problem with the new H5 (hey, Larry's site is currently down, wonder if he's announced something and got flooded with questions?). I am also hoping the 84 W TDP of the Xeon E3-1246 v3 wont be a problem (the caps 4 pipeline cpu is 80W, so guessing it will be ok)

[Pepsican]

Just returning to this point. If I understand it, if you buy a mobo who's BIOS version precedes the Haswell "refresh" date for the purchased CPU, that updated CPU won't work. Now, if the CPU doesnt work you can't boot into the BIOS to update it. You therefore need to boot into the BIOS using another CPU, update the BIOS, then replace the CPU. Is that right?

 

This would include Intel® Server Board S1200RP Family Processors requiring Intel BIOS 02.01.0002 or later Boards with PBA revision lower than -406 (Server Products — Processor Compatibility).

 

My preferred mobo at this stage remains the SUPERMICRO MBD-X10SAE-O ATX (note- no integrated graphics). Given its similarity with the CAPS 4 pipeline supermicro board I am hoping it will work without BIOS upgrade with an Intel Xeon E3-1246 v3 Haswell 3.5GHz, a CPU similar to the CAPS4 CPU but with Intel®HD Graphics P4600.

 

I am hoping the supermicro ATX form factor wont be a problem with the new H5 (hey, Larry's site is currently down, wonder if he's announced something and got flooded with questions?). I am also hoping the 84 W TDP of the Xeon E3-1246 v3 wont be a problem (the caps 4 pipeline cpu is 80W, so guessing it will be ok)

 

Correct. Note that only iCore had a refresh due to delays in Broadwell. Xeon v3 is the first gen hasswell. So, all boards that support Xeon V3 do so from their initial bios version.

 

The h5 case supports ATX.

 

For Intel AMT/IPMI you don't need a graphics card or onboard adapter. Note on your choice of Xeon: unless your mobo has HDMI, Displayport or DVI, it won't work too well. D-sub is only for hooking up a screen in the server room. Look at as-rock C226m ws instead.

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

Correct. Note that only iCore had a refresh due to delays in Broadwell. Xeon v3 is the first gen hasswell. So, all boards that support Xeon V3 do so from their initial bios version.

 

The h5 case supports ATX.

 

For Intel AMT/IPMI you don't need a graphics card or onboard adapter. Note on your choice of Xeon: unless your mobo has HDMI, Displayport or DVI, it won't work too well. D-sub is only for hooking up a screen in the server room. Look at as-rock C226m ws instead.

 

Thanks Pepsican, good to know. And yes the supermicro board does have HDMI and DP as well as two full x16 PCIe3. The mATX Asrock looks like a great alternative though.

 

Having the onboard graphics/HDMI and DP will allow the option to play movies and thus function as a HTPC.I presume I can still do this via JRiver and AO in GUI mode.

 

I doubt I will be tempted to add a low power video card but the option will be there with the new H5 case/psu.

 

Cheers and thanks again

David

[Pepsican]

Thanks Pepsican, good to know. And yes the supermicro board does have HDMI and DP as well as two full x16 PCIe3. The mATX Asrock looks like a great alternative though.

 

Having the onboard graphics/HDMI and DP will allow the option to play movies and thus function as a HTPC.I presume I can still do this via JRiver and AO in GUI mode.

 

I doubt I will be tempted to add a low power video card but the option will be there with the new H5 case/psu.

 

Cheers and thanks again

David

 

If it is for video playback only, there is no need for a video card. The 4K playback is right up there with the latest standards. Of course, next year....

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

If it is for video playback only, there is no need for a video card. The 4K playback is right up there with the latest standards. Of course, next year....

 

Well not everything technological moves at a lightning pace.....next year we may still be waiting for Larry's new H5? H5 will be H-asbeen and Broadwell will be Broad-went?

[Pepsican]

Well not everything technological moves at a lightning pace.....next year we may still be waiting for Larry's new H5? H5 will be H-asbeen and Broadwell will be Broad-went?

 

If Skylake will be as good as some of the rumors indicate, we may not need a H5 anymore. Even in tropical heat. We shall see...

[Hifidelit]

It seems Sunday night / Monday morning is a highly anticipated time for many :-)

Just contacted Larry for an update - "he's preparing the PR material now". I'm not sure whether that means it's imminent or not.

[Hifidelit]

Just got the following after I asked what the above meant:

It means I am using the sample H5 with different motherboard and psu to take pictures. I will use those pictures to explain the full details and features about new gen H5.

I will release this PR material in 1-2 weeks and chassis could be purchased around July.

Please note new H5 is very different from old H5 or my copy cat FC5 for that matter.

It is like FC10 if you have to compare. Internal height is 88mm.

[Pepsican]

Thanks for the update!

[JohnSwenson]

An older article but still a good one I've posted a few times describes the quality of a motherboard and the voltage regulation:

Everything You Need to Know About The Motherboard Voltage Regulator Circuit | Hardware Secrets

 

 

This article has a bunch of inaccuracies and over generalizations. Such as saying three pin transistors are bad and 4 or 5 pin transistors are good, or that small transistors are good and large transistors are bad. There is a HUGE variety of transistors available that can come in multiple package types and sizes, it's impossible to tell whether a transistor is "good" or "bad" just by its package size or number of pins.

 

Same thing with solid or not electrolytic caps, many solid types use EXACTLY the same packages as the non-solid types, the only way to tell the difference is to look up the part numbers. The solid types usually are much better to have, but it is not easy to tell them apart in most cases.

 

Same thing goes for different types of chokes. There is one thing that you can see by looking at chokes that IS useful: some chokes are completely embedded in their ferrite, this can dramtically cut down on EMI and is usually a good thing.

 

Some controller chips have built-in drivers and can control the MOSFETS directly, this article seems to say this is a bad thing, but some controller chips do a very good job without an external driver, it actually produces a regulator that is more reliable and produces less EMI.

 

There is a lot of interesting information in this article, but please don't use these over generalizations to conclude that a particular motherboard is no good because it uses three pin transistors or uses a discrete driver rather than a driver chip.

 

it's an interesting source of information on motherboard regulators, but quite useless as a checklist for rating boards.

 

John S.

[Audiophile Neuroscience]

John S and Hifidelit, thanks for the updated info on the respective topics.

[Pepsican]

This article has a bunch of inaccuracies and over generalizations. Such as saying three pin transistors are bad and 4 or 5 pin transistors are good, or that small transistors are good and large transistors are bad. There is a HUGE variety of transistors available that can come in multiple package types and sizes, it's impossible to tell whether a transistor is "good" or "bad" just by its package size or number of pins.

 

Same thing with solid or not electrolytic caps, many solid types use EXACTLY the same packages as the non-solid types, the only way to tell the difference is to look up the part numbers. The solid types usually are much better to have, but it is not easy to tell them apart in most cases.

 

Same thing goes for different types of chokes. There is one thing that you can see by looking at chokes that IS useful: some chokes are completely embedded in their ferrite, this can dramtically cut down on EMI and is usually a good thing.

 

Some controller chips have built-in drivers and can control the MOSFETS directly, this article seems to say this is a bad thing, but some controller chips do a very good job without an external driver, it actually produces a regulator that is more reliable and produces less EMI.

 

There is a lot of interesting information in this article, but please don't use these over generalizations to conclude that a particular motherboard is no good because it uses three pin transistors or uses a discrete driver rather than a driver chip.

 

it's an interesting source of information on motherboard regulators, but quite useless as a checklist for rating boards.

 

John S.

 

Agreed. But that also poses a problem. I've been digging around and at best the information on a motherboard is patchy. Even basic information like the number of phases or whether the capacitors are solid, is hard to come by. To find out which parts were used, you need to buy the thing. Therefore, buying a motherboard is mainly a guessing game in my view.