Hey Gang, been gone a while, PRESENT benchmarks on i7 available?

[retroz]

Hey gang, first off, I want to thank you all for helping me back in 2006. Because of this forum, I built a machine running an old D duo core 3.0 ghz and am using it now. :-)

 

I then went out and got some work with Apple (great discounts, LOL) and then bought a MACBOOK PRO 2.2 Matte, sold it 6 months later and bought a glossy... :-)

 

Anyway, I presently have:

PCI Express 7600 GT Nvidia duo DVI out

 

and would like to build a new machine - was wondering what the cheapest way to build an 8 core machine with the ability to upgrade to the i7 down the road or do I just go for it (i7) right out the box?

 

As I said, its been a while so am unsure what motherboard would be best, assume that you still need a motherboard with a GMA onboard to start going or has there been advances in the EFI ISO's that are out there? If so, what should I look for. Do we still have to edit KEXT files?

 

Was also thinking about the X EFI USB thing that supposedly allows you to install OSX - but wouldn't mind building it.

 

Anyway, for now, does anyone have some benchmarks on BUILT machines vs REAL macs? One would think there would be a nice BIG chart that you can look at but all I have found was the benchmarks from X EFI.

 

Thanks gang.