PC guts upgrade...

[JU_88]

Originally Posted by the_tyrant

Well check out the Xeon e3 v2 (the v1 is sandy bridge, the v2 is ivy bridge).

I would highly recommend using a Xeon, whether its performance per ghz, or performance per watt, Xeon e3 usually crushes the i5 (hell, often even the i7)

Now for motherboards, if you decide to go with a Xeon, most motherboards that work with i5s work with Xeon e3s, however, I would recommend Asrock, since most of their motherboards are tested to work with Xeon e3, and Xeons are officially supported.

You've given me some valuble food for thought there, at first I thought you were suugesting something a bit dodgy re the Xeon & board combo, (as I mentioned in the other thread) But what you actually have is a very clever little desktop solution, much appreiciated
Never had an ASrock board, always used Asus as they have never let me down, where as MSI and Gigabyte have, but deep down I know that is just down to chance.

On the other hand- while it pretty dear I found this http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-...x16)-dvi-i-atx
It suits all my needs -apart form being very stingy with USB headers