Query: Pentium D 805 in "Thermally-Advantaged Chassis" ?
 

I'm considering purchase of a replacement CPU & motherboard after my existing system suddenly failed. Of course, I want it to run Prime95 24/7/365.

My constraints are:

low cost,

must be local-computer-retailer-installed, not do-it-myself (I'm fumble-fingered) or mail-order,

& decision in next few days.

One retailer recommends a Pentium D 805 (dual-core, 2.66 GHz) on an Intel D101GC motherboard with (I forgot to ask the brand) PC3200 memory. He says if I have a (CPU/motherboard) warranty claim, Intel will want to know whether they were installed in an Intel-certified "thermally-advantaged chassis" (which I'll abbreviate as TAC). He showed me a couple of TACs; they have [B]lots[/B] of venting on the broad side as well as in back.

My thoughts are: The 805 runs a bit over 100W, but will probably (?) be thermally okay in the TAC. (There's a direct intake duct from the case side to the the CPU fan, so the CPU gets its own cold air, not warm leftovers wafted past the boards.) Higher electric bills, but lower winter gas bills. (I haven't used my furnace this past winter; the Athlon, with exhaust properly directed, kept my apartment comfortably warm on all but a handful of days.)

I know Intel's dropped the 805 price because it's clearing them out and folks will prefer the 65-nm 9xx series to the 90-nm 8xx, but I'm willing to forego upgradability and leading-edge performance.

May I have your advice?

This is not a best time to upgrade / purchase PC, as there are several interesting new products just around the corner... but nowadays this is ususally the case anyways :smile:
As I understood, you simply [U]have[/U] to buy yourself a PC ASAP, and right now the decision to go for the cost-effective solution is the best you can do, therefore Pentium D 805 is the best alternative especially if you intend to use it mostly for LL testing.
As for the motherboard, Intel products are considered very stable but not so feature reach as other offerings - but if you are not looking for OCing your CPU then you should be fine with it.

[quote=Cruelty]This is not a best time to upgrade / purchase PC, as there are several interesting new products just around the corner[/quote]Yes (*sigh*), I noticed. :)

[quote]As I understood, you simply [U]have[/U] to buy yourself a PC ASAP, and right now the decision to go for the cost-effective solution is the best you can do,[/quote]Correct. Food, clothing, and shelter already being taken care of; a personal computer ranks 4th, and I currently have no working one. (This msg brought to you courtesy of a local library.)

[quote]therefore Pentium D 805 is the best alternative[/quote]Thanks for the confirmation.

[quote]especially if you intend to use it mostly for LL testing.[/quote]... or similarly FFT-heavy work like P-1.

[quote]As for the motherboard, Intel products are considered very stable but not so feature reach as other offerings - but if you are not looking for OCing your CPU then you should be fine with it.[/quote]Reliability is more attractive than it used to be. :)