Cheapest Core i7 Machine - 0.5 BTC Bounty [PAID]

[bytemaster]

Does anyone have a solid justification for why azwccc should not win?  If not I plan on awarding him the bounty.

[azwccc]

Thanks 

1K2L2G6VeS4yNtEfN6UFPygnTmbv7bEChQ

I will be happy to have BTC to purchase Keyhotee ID

[MineMind]

A.) I wouldn't go with AMD and those PSUs at all.
B.) There are better builds though $/W should not be considered as per original requirements.
C.) Dual channel memory and cas rating is important in terms of bandwidth and speed which is not benchmarked for.
D.) SSD > HDD on avg, and have better warranties in terms of all components.
E.) 2day shipping should count.
F.) Please see the AMD benchmarks in single channel.

[bytemaster]

A.) I wouldn't go with AMD and those PSUs at all.
B.) There are better builds though $/W should not be considered as per original requirements.
C.) Dual channel memory and cas rating is important in terms of bandwidth and speed which is not benchmarked for.
D.) SSD > HDD on avg, and have better warranties in terms of all components.
E.) 2day shipping should count.
F.) Please see the AMD benchmarks in single channel.

Not going with AMD the power consumption is too high.

The Dual Channel memory is an issue, ideally there would be 2 DIMS rather than 1. 

So the machine I would go with is:
Core i7 3.9 Ghz
2GB
$369.78 + $20 USB Stick with Linux on it for HD total  $389
From protatech.com

By getting rid of the HD I end up with SSD and I have no need to assemble parts.   

So when critiquing the best machine please refer to this machine.   Note: technically I was the one to spec it, but azwccc pointed me to the source.

[MineMind]

312.94 + 50 - 25 - 6 = 331.95
Plus it allows for more updatability at a later date in addition to higher bandwidth dual channel and better warranties.

[bytemaster]

312.94 + 50 - 25 - 6 = 331.95
Plus it allows for more updatability at a later date.

Your discounts and mail in rebates do not count because of extra labor, time/value of money and I suspect there is a limit on the number of rebates per customer thus not 'in volume'.

I am trying to find your exact machine for comparison, the best I have found is: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1W43u for $328.92 with promo discounts of $50.   Promo Discounts do not count, so $378.92.

When I replace the drive with a USB stick I end up with about $350 then I add labor I get to $400.   Then I factor in 3.1 vs 3.9 Ghz and that is not a viable option.  Even with the promo codes this machine does not compete.

Unless I missed your link to the $312.94 machine.

[azwccc]

Free assembly & testing before shipment. Avoid any DOA hardware failure trouble.

1 year warranty and 30 days return. Price match policy.

Free shipping, no need of short-term coupon code/rebate.

[MineMind]

Turbo doesn't mean much for 100% mining load unless I liquid cool the unit

So you consider turbo for the build but not MIRs?
http://ark.intel.com/products/65719/
Uhhhh
You JUST stated you did not consider turbo as the rate.
You also didn't calc the IPC/W/DC increase.

1 year warranty and 30 days return. Price match policy.

Most individual parts have 3 years normally. Ask which system on HardOCP, Anandtech, Fatwallet, or Slickdeals. I'm out, this is insanity for a 24/7 system.

[bytemaster]

So you consider turbo for the build but not MIRs?
http://ark.intel.com/products/65719/
Uhhhh
You JUST stated you did not consider turbo as the rate.
You also didn't calc the IPC increase.

1 year warranty and 30 days return. Price match policy.

Most parts have 3 years normally.

3.4 GHz vs 3.1 Ghz...  I did not realize the 3.9 was Turbo, but 3.4 is base frequency.    IPC?

[MineMind]

So you consider turbo for the build but not MIRs?
http://ark.intel.com/products/65719/
Uhhhh
You JUST stated you did not consider turbo as the rate.
You also didn't calc the IPC increase.

1 year warranty and 30 days return. Price match policy.

Most parts have 3 years normally.

3.4 GHz vs 3.1 Ghz...  I did not realize the 3.9 was Turbo, but 3.4 is base frequency.    IPC?

Integers Per Clock, which is HIGHER with Haswell vs Ivy Bridge. They are similar in total benchies, in addition to dual channel ram, LOWER CAS rating ram (faster), and lower wattage.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Wf21
+ USB = 14.99
-25 -6
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Xeon+E3-1230+v3+%40+3.30GHz&id=1942

Haswell wins, regardless. The Ghz doesn't matter as much as the arch and surrounding factors. Please god go ask Anandtech or HardOCP or someone that deals with this sort of thing. Seven minutes you could've already ordered the best.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=24512072
http://www.servethehome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Intel-Xeon-E3-1220-V3-c-ray-benchmark.jpg
http://www.servethehome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Intel-Xeon-E3-1220-V3-Power-Consumption.jpg
http://www.servethehome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Intel-Xeon-E3-1220-V3-Crafty-Bench-Linux.jpg
http://www.servethehome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Intel-Xeon-E3-1220-V3-pts-stream-7-zip-openssl-pybench-linux.jpg

Dual vs single channel:
http://www.behardware.com/medias/photos_news/00/30/IMG0030969.png
http://www.behardware.com/medias/photos_news/00/30/IMG0030968.png
http://www.behardware.com/medias/photos_news/00/30/IMG0030969.png

Then add 5-10% for IPC. That 3.1 vs 3.4 is alot different if you're running full load no turbo and dual vs single, especially for a memory intensive operation ( I run the v2 on an H61 because of Link Time Optimization compiling).

[bytemaster]

Assuming the two machines have about equal performance and power consumption and only a benchmark for our particular application could really be definitive. 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Wf21
Your machine costs $375 + $50 Labor + $20 Drive => $445
My machine costs: $389

So unless your machine is 15% faster which the benchmarks do not bear out... then the benefits of your system are..

Memory Bandwidth... though I am not sure we are pegging it anyway.
Perhaps more reliable parts...

The tie breaker comes down to convenience. 

That said, I will credit you with 0.5 BTC toward the keyhotee ID of your choice as runner up.  It really is very tough to call here.

[gadman2]

Do I get anything for pointing out pcpartpicker lol? I mean the tool itself is the winner. Also if you live near a micro center you an buy a 3770k for like 170$ cash.

[MineMind]

Do I get anything for pointing out pcpartpicker lol? I mean the tool itself is the winner. Also if you live near a micro center you an buy a 3770k for like 170$ cash.

That tool is slick I must say. Really only needed NewEgg.

Bytemaster, don't worry about it. Please though, please start going to hardware sites where SysAdmins frequent. Your future perspective will change. If your PSU dies, buy a Bronze or Gold Sea or Antec on the cheap for Cyber Monday. If your data is important please god don't run USB2.0 drives, and even 3.0 are Meh compared to the algos pumping out of most SSDs with 3+yr warranties.

[bytemaster]

For my application, mining,  there is no data.  I can replace failed parts.  It will be trial and error.

I have been burned by crap parts in the past.   

[MineMind]

I can replace failed parts

If that is the case then go with the cheapest biostar, usb2.0, and diablotek stuff you can get your hands on. That will be cheaper than any build recommended here so far. I however will not post such a build out of knowing the results already. There are Lenovo and Dell builds cheaper than all these in terms of non-ship accepted (no refurbs, just not accepted shipments).

[bytemaster]

Thanks 

1K2L2G6VeS4yNtEfN6UFPygnTmbv7bEChQ

I will be happy to have BTC to purchase Keyhotee ID

Bounty Paid: 94174efbde2566bed8886928e50cbc44c5cd357bf8bd6384fec1800d912f96ae

[gadman2]

Darn could have probably built a much better one if I had known the rules could be broken.

[bytemaster]

Darn could have probably built a much better one if I had known the rules could be broken.

It was not my intent to break any rules.  What rule do you feel was broken?

[gadman2]

Oh it don't matter to me lol. I just thought it -had- to be a i7 as the title says.

[bytemaster]

Oh it don't matter to me lol. I just thought it -had- to be a i7 as the title says.

Ok, well the winner was an i7  

I am offering a 0.5 BTC bounty to the individual who can spec out the cheapest possible Quad Core x86 system for mining momentum proof of work.

The body was more clear, but you are right the subject was suggestive of a more restrictive spec.   No one likes to be called a 'cheater' for 'breaking the rules' so I am glad you were not too serious about that accusation.