New puter on the horizon...lil help

[hitman]

Finally got the money to build the dream computer...2 weeks for the check to clear, so IN THE MEANTIME...which is better? ddr2 ram or pc3500? I know I have pc3200 listed so...and is there a better board I can use? And which is better? Fx-57 or Fx-60? Yes yes I know ones single and ones dual...

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136166 $178.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103558 $811

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145509 $299

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817152022 $69.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827249003 $104.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150134 $589

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118120 $249.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824002118 $763.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836116179 $119.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102188 $111.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811146017 $179.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701 $90

[WhiskeyRomeo]

PC3200 DDR RAM is 184 pin package vs DDR2 240 pin package.

AMD systems wont be using DDR2 until the AM2 boards roll out later this year.

The RAM you have listed is ECC Registered CAS Latency 3.

You can get lower CAS 2 latency RAM (non-ECC): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145019

 

If you're getting the Zalman watercooler for over-clocking adventures be sure to look into a NorthBridge cooler, and maybe a cooling solution for your RAM.

 

Ok - just realized that DFI MB has a stock NorthBridge cooler. Maybe a couple RAM heat spreaders and make sure they get good airflow through the case fans.

[Pilotasso]

What are your current specs hitman?

[hitman]

Current specs are I have no current specs...Im on a borrowed computer.

[NEODARK]

I wouldnt buy an LCD from newegg, their return policy for those is really shitty. (can only return for 8 or more dead pixels) buy a dell screen.

 

heck for that much I'd buy the 2405 (they are having a sale and those go for around $750, and thats 24" widescreen gaming @ 1900x1200)

 

and PLEASE, get a QUALITY PSU, you buy decent hardware and skimp on the most important part? DONT!! I recommend this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817711002 (or go with the 600W if you can afford it.)

 

Also, dont buy an FX, it's such a waste... DO you know how to overclock? (if you do, I'd pick up an opteron150 single core, or a 165/170 dualcore, look at my opteron, faster then the FX60) and if you dont overclock, buy a 4000+ and use those $500 you are saving for a second 7900GTX and do SLI..

 

-another thing, if you dont overclock dont buy a watercooling system, just get a decent hsf w/120mm fan

 

just IMO, but whatever floats your boat

[hitman]

Im not into overclocking yet, I havent done a whole hell of a lot of overclocking, but Im getting a water cooler just in case I do decide to o/c it. I dont have a whole hell of a lot of desk space, and the nearest circuit city is about 250 miles away from where Im at right now (still looking for FC in the box) but like I said Im open to suggestions.

 

I REALLY REALLY want pc3500 ram and the biggest baddest chip that walked through the valley of the shadow of death for the buck ut I aint going to break the bank. Gotta save SOME money for some shooting at DragonMans with IK...

[NEODARK]

I dont get why you say circuit city and desk space?

 

If it's cause of the dell LCD, you can purchase trough the dell website (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1042463) thats where the offers are for a bigger and MUCH better LCD than what you have linked. In case you didnt get my first post, DONT buy an LCD FROM NEWEGG>>

 

-What the heck is "an FC in the box"

 

As for getting PC3500 ram, its USELESS... unless you are overclocking and plant to keep the ram 1:1. if you are not overclocking, just look for the lowest possible timmings in PC3200 flavor.

 

I'd suggest you buy the G-SKILL's PC4000 (if overclocking) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231021 $157 they are UCCC chips and do great for high HTT (260-280mhz)

 

Also, NO NEED for an FX, because thats specifically DESIGNED to be overclocked and carries the price premium. Thats why it has the unlocked multis, like I said. I'd go for my suggestions above and BEAT your FX-57/FX-60 in performance and get a 2nd 7900GTX for SLI.

 

I'm giving you options to build a much faster/better PC than what you provided, but...

 

Either way, its your money.

[hitman]

Cirtuit City is like a computer store around here, same goes for best buy, compusa, and office max. I cant buy too big a CRT screen because I have a small desk. FC in the box is Lock On Gold. Sorry, lol, Im on a high right now of actually having money to blow. I like the ram you just posted, question is will it work in the motherboard I am looking to get?

 

As far as processors go...you say 4000+? San Diego or Clawhammer? And these are good overclocked? I need to get into overclocking but I dont want to screw up anything on this beast. Ill do the SLI deal that was the original plan.

 

Ill lay off from the monitor till further notice I just want a big LCD screen because I cant do the huge CRT monitor on this desk.

 

 

Let me put it this way: I am only going to play LOCK ON and Americas Army. Lots of other flight sims as well but this is going to be my entertainment center.

[NEODARK]

Cirtuit City is like a computer store around here, same goes for best buy, compusa, and office max. I cant buy too big a CRT screen because I have a small desk. FC in the box is Lock On Gold. Sorry, lol, Im on a high right now of actually having money to blow. I like the ram you just posted, question is will it work in the motherboard I am looking to get?

#1 - Yes, circuit city (we have those here in... Virginia) :icon_eek:

#2 - It's an LCD (the 2405 I suggested is a flatscreen like what you originally posted, but BETTER)

#3 - I have the same motherboard and use the same RAM.

 

As far as processors go...you say 4000+? San Diego or Clawhammer? And these are good overclocked? I need to get into overclocking but I dont want to screw up anything on this beast. Ill do the SLI deal that was the original plan.

Sandiego (clawhammer is old and built in .13nm process, no SS3 either) BUT, look into an OPTERON 150 if you want single core and overclockign potential.

 

Let me put it this way: I am only going to play LOCK ON and Americas Army. Lots of other flight sims as well but this is going to be my entertainment center.

if you are "ONLY" doing that, you hardly need this much GPU power at all, simply buy a single 7900GT and call it a day..

[walternowi]

Hitman,

 

I have 3 suggestions:

 

1. Do not get the DFI Expert motherboard. There are quite a number of reports that it killed the CPU http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=94324. An $800 CPU is not something to trivial with. I would recommend the ASUS A8N32-SLI http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131568 or the MSI Diamond Plus http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130037.

 

2. Like NEODARK said, get a better power supply. His recommendation is good. So are the Seasonic S-12 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151024 and the Enermax http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103437. Personally, I like the Enermax because I prefer one strong 12V rail.

 

3. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT get the Zalman water cooling kit. It mixes Copper (CPU block) and Aluminum (GPU block, radiator, ...) and will cause galvanic corrosion. The Al pieces will slowly be eaten away. Anodizing Al will protect the Al surface somewhat, but one small scratch and you are screwed. The anti-corrosion additive helps but is not fool proof. Also, this kit is more for quiet computing rather than overclocking. Without a fan, the radiator is not very efficient in dissipating heat. If you really like water cooling, do some research in the Liquid Cooling forum here http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=70 and build your own. If you must get a kit, get the Swiftech Apex Extreme (with the Storm CPU block) or the Corsair Nautilus500. The former is pretty hard to find. You might find it from ebay. The latter is just being released. The previews are good but you might want to wait a bit for reviews to come out. Also, the Corsair kit uses an anodized Al radiator. Swapping it with a Cu/brass radiator should not be too difficult. Something like a Swiftech MCR http://www.jab-tech.com/Swiftech-MCR-Quiet-Power-Series-radiators-120mm-Black-pr-3070.html or a Black Ice Pro http://www.jab-tech.com/Black-Ice-Pro-Radiator-120mm-1-2-Fittings-pr-2632.html will do the job.

 

Hope this helps and good luck with your build.

 

Nowi

[hitman]

I just might wait until the AM2 architecture comes out next month. Thanks for pointing out the corrisive effects, I am very leary bout doing the water cooling system, I just might go refridgerated if I can find a decent system thats relatively cheap, but Im still noobish in certain areas when it comes to whats best. I have time so fill me in on ideas here. I basically have a 3500 dollar budget to play with.

[walternowi]

I just might wait until the AM2 architecture comes out next month. Thanks for pointing out the corrisive effects, I am very leary bout doing the water cooling system, I just might go refridgerated if I can find a decent system thats relatively cheap, but Im still noobish in certain areas when it comes to whats best. I have time so fill me in on ideas here. I basically have a 3500 dollar budget to play with.

 

No problem. You might want to know that the AM2 architecture is marginally faster than 939.

 

If you want to look into phase change cooling, OCZ is going to release an entry level system (MSRP $300-400) soon. How soon is anybody's guess. Check here for updates http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=85243. This unit is designed by Chilly1 (a well respected member at xtremesystems). You can also contact him directly. He build custom phase change units for people, but the wait is generally a couple of months. With phase change, you get a large overclocking headroom, but the penalty is a high electricity bill.

 

$3500 is more than enough to build a top of the line system, get a very nice monitor and all the gadgets (HOTAS+TrackIR+Touchscreen). Start from the motherboard and CPU first. If you do not plan to overclock, get the high end dual core cpu like the FX-60 or the X2 4800. Also, you don't need fancy cooling if you do not plan to OC. High end air cooling like a Zalman 9500, a Thermaltake Big Typhoon, a Thermalright XP-90C or a Thermalright SI-120 is more than adequate. If you plan to OC, the 4 air cool solutions are good for moderate overclocks. To push the limit, you need to go liquid, thermalelectric or phase. The good overclocking dual core CPUs are Opteron 165, Opteron 170 and the early 2006 X2 3800+ (The stepping LDBHE 060x, with x < 5 are usually good).

 

Cheers,

Nowi

[hitman]

On looking up AM2 tech notes, right now its not even as fast as the 939 pins yet and not even looking promising anytime soon so I just might as well go ahead and get me a 939 pin and motherboard and wait for the technology to develop. And I really dont want to overclock right now, but if I decide to, this is going to be my only chance to learn how, so I might as well get with it.

[NEODARK]

Good stuff Nowi.

 

As for the expert having issues. I've heard of them, but never had one. (same thing when I had my MSI NEO2) not a hitch thankfully.

 

I have the OCZ520 and never had cold boot issues as some have experienced. The expert is a great borad, specially with all the available tweaks, but you have to be careful and you should definitelly not get it if you are a beginner, as the name implies "expert" and they are not kidding.

 

I have a 3 year warranty on my CPU, so if anything happens (knock on wood) I get a free one.

 

Still, we always hear about the bad experiences in forums (even extreme systems) and the good ones are seldom discussed.

 

@ hitman,

 

You can wait on M2 if you want, but dont expect wonders. It's definitelly nothing special. If you must wait, I'd say do some research on conroe. (as it stands right now, its beating the A64's by a good margin, maybe intel has a winner for gamingafter 3 years of 2nd place.) And M2 will aslo have a good premium price for no extra performance or lower in some cases. You know computers though, whats "uber" today, is obsolete in 2 or 3 months..

[walternowi]

On looking up AM2 tech notes, right now its not even as fast as the 939 pins yet and not even looking promising anytime soon so I just might as well go ahead and get me a 939 pin and motherboard and wait for the technology to develop. And I really dont want to overclock right now, but if I decide to, this is going to be my only chance to learn how, so I might as well get with it.

 

The AM2 picture is very dynamic. The notes you read might be superceded, as the latest shows a 5-10% improvement in AM2 http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2738. But still, it is only marginal improvement.

 

Like NEODARK said, the Conroe previews are all very promising. It seems AMD's leap will be 2007. If you can wait, wait for Conroe. If you want to buy now, socket 939 is a mature technology that will not go away any time soon.

 

Nowi

[hitman]

Thats the tech review I just looked at. Ill also be getting 4 250 gb sata2 hard drives, so whatever psu I get will have to have enough molex connectors or the power supply cables for them...maybe Ill have to look into getting adapters.

[walternowi]

Thats the tech review I just looked at. Ill also be getting 4 250 gb sata2 hard drives, so whatever psu I get will have to have enough molex connectors or the power supply cables for them...maybe Ill have to look into getting adapters.

 

FYI, the SATA drives do not use molex power connectors. They use SATA power connectors. I believe most modern power supplies will have 4 of these.

 

Good luck! It sure is exciting to put together the specs and build it yourself.

[hitman]

So now the list looks like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131568 $199.00 Asus Mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103558 $811.00 Fx-57

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145019 $179.99 DDR400 ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817711001 $199.99 600w PSU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827249003 $104.99 DVD/rw

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150134 $589 nvidia 7900 GTX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836116153 $79.99 7.1 speakers

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811146017 $179.99 Tower

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144701 $90 WC hard drive x4

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835194004 $50 Heatsink and fan

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835150067 $50 Air conditioner

 

still deciding on what type of CPU I want to get.

[walternowi]

These are excellent specs. Raidmax is not quite known for their heat sink fan. To be safe, I would suggest

1. the Thermalright SI-120 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835109123 with a panaflo 120 mm fan http://www.jab-tech.com/Panaflo-120mm-L1A-FBA12G12L1A-pr-2686.html,

2. the Thermalright XP-90C http://www.jab-tech.com/Thermalright-XP-90C-Copper-Heatsink-pr-2836.html with a Panaflo 92 mm fan http://www.jab-tech.com/Panaflo-M1A-92x92x25mm-case-fan-pr-2044.html, or

3. the Zalman 9500 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118223

 

#3 is the simplest, the fan comes with the Heat Sink.

 

Also, lose the air conditioner, it is useless. You might want to look into cooling for your video card(s). A Zalman VF-900 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118001 or An Arctic Cooling Accelero X2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835186002 are possibilities.

 

Since your system is top notch, get the Rolls Royce of computer cases, the Silverstone TJ-07 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811163057. It comes in silver or black.

 

:beer:

[hitman]

Im not much into that case, but that arctic cooling accelero and the zalman look like i need em...im lookin for design as an art here. Matching colors, the works. Guess the only thing left is to figure out what PSU I really need.

 

Neodark says opteron, but my clan computer guru tells me theyre still slow despite all the overclocking they can do, and an X2 is the way to go, but I have no real need for a dual core psu. A 4000+ is about as close to an FX-57 im going to get without the 57 price tag, the way I see it, but doesnt overclock like the -57. I dont want to overclock now, but like I said, I will eventually and this is going to be the computer Im going to play with...

[NEODARK]

Neodark says opteron, but my clan computer guru tells me theyre still slow despite all the overclocking they can do, and an X2 is the way to go

 

Maybe you need a new computer guru :p

 

your choise..

[walternowi]

Maybe you need a new computer guru :p

 

I am with NEODARK on this ;). My Opteron 146 is not a particularly good one, and it is currently running at 2.5 GHz at 1.33 V. With better cooling, I can run it at 2.8 GHz at 1.45 V. That is an FX-57 at the price of a Athlon64 3200+.

 

:beer:

[hitman]

Well I am still way in the budget for my computer, and I still want to overclock...I want to know what kind of speeds I can get this thing up to, and I get the feeling this is going to be the only time I can do that. I might hold off on the fx-57 for a 4000+. The computer I am on now is a sempron...and boy am I disappointed on it. Its coreclock speed is at 1.6, tried to get it past 1.7 and:Flush: down the tubes. This computer has given me hell from that point on. And if I do manage to overclock it, I can prolly get it up past 3.8 ghz, Ive heard of them going faster than 4 with some badass cooling systems. This is my last chance at a top knotch computer for a long time. Hell I might even turn around and sell the thing in a week or 3. So right now its a toss-up between the -57, -60, or the 4000+. If I get the 60 then thats where I am staying...I dont know if I want to do that because its essentially a dual fx-55 processor. The 4000+ is on par with the -57, but for the price, I just might go 4000+.

 

 

AND NO MORE WIRELESS CRAP!!!! get killed playing americas army more often cuz of lost signal from my keyboard. how freakin' lame is that?! besides I want this computer to be able to handle black shark when it finally comes out.

[Pilotasso]

Hitman: well if you dont have a PC its certainly a good time to get a new one :) If not to play games (wich is too ) for work, and multimedia. I barely see any TV these days, my PC is so much more intertaning and informative.

 

I advise you to focus on the upgradeability of your machine, so you wont have to expend that much money 12 months from now, on another machine.

 

For example, you know that every 6 months a new generation of GFX's comes out so I would get a value for money solution on that department (on the class of ATI's X800XL) and then buy a better one later, when you need the extra power because no matter what the config your likely to have now, youll be able to enjoy all games to maximum without needing yet for the extra punch on the GPU's part.

 

Oh, BTW another reason for this is if the PPU comes integrated into future GFx's so youll buying 2 on 1, saving money, and by that time there will be games that will take advantage of it. PPU is too new and is likely to change and improve in its concept. Probably so vastly that current ones will become useless FAST.

[hitman]

PPU's are being shipped as a PCI card type videocard...question is does it require a new type of motherboard as well?