Excel PC Build

[VBA007]

I am building a PC for Excel. I want to reduce calculation time, and am
trying to decide on the best processor set-up. Could anyone provide some
input on an i7 set-up vs a dual quad core set-up? I need to decide on the
MoBo, and am on a budget, so I am hesitant to drop alot of cash for an i7, if
I can use a MoBo that will hold two processors and still do the trick. Also
b/c of a low budget, I want to get a starter PC, and upgrade it over time.

 

[Mike H]

I think your over complicating the issue. Unlike graphics applications and
games, Excel is pretty undemanding of a PC.

Have a looke her for the system requirements

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HA102126851033.aspx

and for E2007
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HA101668651033.aspx
--
Mike

When competing hypotheses are otherwise equal, adopt the hypothesis that
introduces the fewest assumptions while still sufficiently answering the
question.

 

[JLatham]

As Mike H said, don't overcomplicate things. Excel and other office apps
such as Word don't need high end video/sound cards. With a 64-bit CPU,
definitely go with the 64-bit version of the OS. As for RAM, if you go with
i7, go with DDR3 and do it in multiples of 3 banks, i.e. 3 or 6 GB initially.

I've got an i7 975 slightly overclocked with 12GB RAM on Win7Ultimate and
Excel 2003 SCREAMS! And even 2007 performs acceptably. There is definitely
a difference in performance between Intel Core2 Quads and the i7. I have one
of each and use a system with a Q9650 at the office that's slightly crippled
by having XP Pro (32-bit) on it and I can tell you that my i7 system blows
the one at the office and my own Core2 system (6 GB RAM with Vista Home
Premium 64-bit) out of the water.

But there is that budget to consider, and the i7 will definitely eat into
it. You might look at the cost difference of going with something like a
dual socket board and a couple of mid-range CPUs like an Intel E5520 (not the
more expensive L5520). While I used to be a real AMD fanboy, reality today
is that Intel is once again outperforming AMD at a given clock speed.

 

[VBA007]

lol, I know I am over complicating it (=

But I love my Excel and I want to figure out optimum configuration.

 

[Mike H]

I've got an i7 975 slightly overclocked with 12GB RAM

I'm going to live on porridge and save my pension each week to save up for
one of those.

In the UK (I don't know where you are) Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 3.33
GHz Processor circa £800
--
Mike

When competing hypotheses are otherwise equal, adopt the hypothesis that
introduces the fewest assumptions while still sufficiently answering the
question.

 

[VBA007]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm in Canada, the i7 is still pretty steep for
the high end, but I may just stick with what I can afford and upgrade later.

 

[JLatham]

The i7 system was store bought: right at $2800 USD the way I had it set up.
Figured it might last me a few years (better at that cost). Not sure if I
had been building if I'd have gone for an i7; I'd sure hate to screw up the
installation/setup of the heatsink and then have the wonderful experience of
a $1000 CPU release the magic blue smoke into the room. Prices here in the
US for one range from $970 to $1260, just for the CPU.

But the whole system scores 5.4 on the Windows Experience scale, with
everything rating 5.9 except the SATA-II RAID 1 setup which comes in at 5.4
and, if I remember correctly, the video card comes in at 5.6.

 

[Gary Keramidas]

just get one of the new i5's. it will be plenty fast enough for what you
want to do.

http://www.intel.com/Consumer/Products/Processors/corei5.htm

 

[Bob I]

That seems a tad slow for a desktop. You can get a Dell laptop for under
$2000 that scores 5.9 on the Windows 7 Experience scale.